Beign a total newbie in DAW builds. Requesting some help.

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ChaosAngel92
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2011/09/04 00:40:26 (permalink)

Beign a total newbie in DAW builds. Requesting some help.

How may I put this without sounding like "PLS HELP!!11! TOTAL N00b!!". I guess the best way to do this is by first explaining my case.

I want to create a very humble home recording studio. I am not someone who earns the living with music. I just play for fun and I want to start recording some things with featuring electric guitar, keyboards and else. I have worked with Sonar before, but that was eons (Sonar 5) ago when I wanted to dedicate my life to the music.

However the year is now 2011, and I want to start on Sonar X1 Essential, in order to get the basics and If I like it, move on to the next level.
I am not a total rookie when it comes to building machines, however I have never built a DAW before. I have read some articles about creating a DAW (for any software), and I have also read the section on the Cakewalk site regarding computers and "DIY DAW". 

I have now some notes I was unaware before, however I'm still completely clueless on whats essential and what is not. In terms of CPU for instance, I know that I'll be going towards an Intel iX series, but I don't know what would be the best to get (i3, i5 or i7).

About my budget: I'll say 800 $ US for now.

My needs: Reason, Amplitube IK3, Toontrack "Drumkit from Hell" and other VST plugs.

Hope you can help me with my quest.
Have a nice day.
post edited by ChaosAngel92 - 2011/09/04 01:02:59
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    jrdalton
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    Re:Beign a total newbie in DAW builds. Requesting some help. 2011/09/04 20:00:42 (permalink)
    Chaos Angel,

    i went through the same thing last spring.  We spent a little more - ended up about $1100, but we went all-out.  You shouldn't have any trouble building something for your budget.  We had 2 24" monitors and a keyboard already, so our cost was just in the DAW itself.

    We went with the i7, but for what you described an i5 would be more than enough.  For memory we decided on 16Gb, but at the last minute we splurged and went for 24Gb ($188 more).

    We opted for three HD drives.  350Gb for the OS (Windows 7 Pro), 1 Tb for music, and another 1Tb for some video we've been doing.  You could save money by just getting a single 1Tb drive.

    For the case we went with a rack-mount style - it's a little more than the tower, but it is really nice to have it in the rack and not around our feet.

    For video we went with a dual-head board with 2Gb on board.  Again, you could get less.  We we're doing some video, so it made sense.

    The bottom line is that this machine screams and has zero wait time.  We could have gone with less and still had very satisfactory performance with Sonar.  Now we can run Sonar with tons of soft synths and audio (currently working with 60+ tracks) and it's very smooth.

    You'll need an interface of course.  We had a Delta PCI card, but we've since bought a Delta 1010 for 10 channels of AD conversion.  The PCI card is about $180.  I'll sell you mine if you want.

    We got all the hardware from New Egg. 

    Good luck!



    Jeff Dalton
    Larue Intel QuadCore I7, 24Gb/3 Tb 
    Delta 10/10 AD/DA Converter
    Pacifica Mic-Preamps 
    REDI Bass DI
    Sonar PE 8.53 
    Blackstar HT-1R tube amp
    KeyStation 88
    Soundcraft Compact 10 Mixer
    Guitar & Bass PODs
    Gibson SG Classic
    Cordoba Classical Electric
    1963 Jazz Bass
    Carvin LB76 Bass
    Schecter Stilleto Fretless Bass
    KRK Rokit 5's
    Roland V-Drums
    Carter Pedal Steel .


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    leapinlizard
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    Re:Beign a total newbie in DAW builds. Requesting some help. 2011/09/06 15:46:00 (permalink)
    You should be able to build a decent machine for $800 that will do what you need and be expandable down the road.  I would start out with 2 hard drives if you will be recording audio - otherwise you may be able to get by with one.  I agree with jrdalton that an i5 should be sufficient for a processor, and you could probably start with 8GB of memory since you don't appear to have a lot of heavy-hitter soft synths.  A couple of things to note:  First, make sure you have an adequate power supply - don't skimp too much in this area.  Second, use static precautions when you are handling parts.  A lot of people don't use static precautions and end up with hard-to-diagnose issues down the road.  Cooling is important too - you don't need to get carried away, just make sure you have decent air movement through your case.  I'll second the motion to shop at NewEgg - I get nearly all my parts from there.  Good luck!

    "Surf music will never die." -- LeapinLizard, 1963
    "We may never hear surf music again." -- Jimi Hendrix, 1967. 
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