Need a nice desktop computer, do i REALLY need some overpriced tower from RAIN or adk?

     Im finally reaching the point that my cpu needs are really taking a toll on my dual core laptop. I want to move up to a big time desktop computer that i can count on for some time, but do i really need to drop two or three thousand for a rain ion or something from ADK? is it worth it? customer support wise? lifetime warranties, thats what were paying for right? I need a desktop with 6 usb ports and a quad core, with a butt ton of hard drive and thats built to last. And while were at it, is anybody familliar with solid state disc drives?

 Need? Absolutely not, but a custom build will assure you have a stable system optimized for the job. There is a guy here that has built several machines for users here. Jim Roseberry I think his name is. I would think he could build you a great DAW for a lot less. Just guessing there I don't know what he charges.

Yes the word overpriced was a pour choice.  Expensive yes, overpriced, not really. You get what you pay for. Or you could build your own , but that will take hours and days of research. Fine if your unemployed and it's a good hobby too. 

I'm not saying I know they're over priced, I'm asking if the warranties and service are worth the price. I guess having a custom build wouldn't be that much cheaper anyways. 

So are things like driver trouble and blue screen crashes relatively unheard of with these builds?

thanks noldar. im thinking like a low end adk tower, under 1 grand. Maybe a core i7 Cube. Do they have good warranties? I know they have lifetime tech support but would i pay an arm and a leg in the unlikely event that something were to go wrong?

Jim Roseberry


The advantage of a custom build is just that...
You have control over literally every component that goes into the machine.
Quality components (known to work well in a DAW), configured well... 
That's as good as it gets.

I've had Jim build me one in the past so I can only speak from past experience. I know others have had Scott build them a DAW as well and are happy there...two quality products.....and they both contribute regularly here on the sonar boards. So interaction is never a problem.
 
Jim's custom DAW fro me was worth it.....Quality Product, and Excellent Customer Support......but then again I did not have any issues with his build......I have asked him questions in the past and he has always taken the time to fully help me out......
 
So all I can say is give him a call at Studio cat and see what he can do for you.......
 
Clifford

WSS

ASG,

we have wired or wireless KB/mouse. plenty of USB, like 4 USB3 and 10 USB2
if you are doing havy sample libraries then you would want the faster Socket 2011 (Hex Xtreme)
where medium amount the the lessot rpriced systems work fine

Alright cool beans. So I went to the adk website and there were only 4 desktops, are those the only models they have? Or is that just sort of like a starting point and you customize things to your liking after you pick one?

So short of RAIN of adk - what other big "name" brands should we start to focus on first?

Oops - posted twice. [deleted] ... just went to the ADK site. I guess I would be fine with their starter sys for under $1500. I just don't have that right now. Might make more sense though, in the long run, to just wait until I do.

Hey Cactus - not sure if you were responding to me, but I don't have the money to spend on an ADK sys right now (as is the case with the original poster) and am trying to get some info (helpful info) in terms of what less expensive alternatives there might be. And as nice as the ADK guys are (and as top-shelf as their stuff is), you don't go to a new car showroom to ask questions about a used car. And although I am certain they would help me find a less expensive alternative (being the helpful/knowledgeable souls that they are) I wouldn't feel right taking up their time with a question like that. Hence the reason for checking out this thread. I hadn't been to this forum in years. I am immediately (only one post in) reminded why. You actually went to the trouble to post and express your opinion that you think others' questions are odd. That seems odd to me. Lot of things to consider when purchasing a system and any bit of info that others might offer could be helpful.

I just want to put in a good word for Rain Computers. I've picked up a laptop from them and it has been great for working with Sonar. They set the settings right from the beginning when I received it. If I've had a question, when I get support they truly know both my computer and Sonar and tons of stuff about external devices and how to avoid conflicts. I think their support adds considerable value and makes them a good decision. You could spend countless frustrating hours trying to research and figure out why something doesn't work, and then be too exhausted to feel musically creative, or take advantage of a good company that can help you out of a jam even a year or more after your purchase. Last thing I'll mention is that in my upgrade I moved from a desktop to a powerful laptop and I'm definitely putting in more productive time since the laptop frees me to roam.

  love it!