windsurfer25x
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Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
I do a lot of mobile recording, and I'm thinking of switching up computers. Having a desktop at home for the mixing and mastering and having an off the shelf laptop for just tracking...
Would a typical $500 laptop be alright for tracking with a USB interface for recording with 1 or 2 mics? This would be for smaller projects... for larger one's I'd lug the desktop around.. but my question here is -
Would an off the shelf laptop be ok for JUST tracking? (And then transferring the files to my big system at home)
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Jim Roseberry
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/29 16:51:33
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Would a typical $500 laptop be alright for tracking with a USB interface for recording with 1 or 2 mics? This would be for smaller projects... for larger one's I'd lug the desktop around.. but my question here is - For basic two track recording at higher latency settings... you should be OK.
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leapinlizard
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/29 17:50:48
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You might try and find one that has a 7200 RPM hard drive just in case you decide to do more intensive operations at some point.
"Surf music will never die." -- LeapinLizard, 1963 "We may never hear surf music again." -- Jimi Hendrix, 1967.
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/30 09:38:35
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Jim Roseberry
Would a typical $500 laptop be alright for tracking with a USB interface for recording with 1 or 2 mics? This would be for smaller projects... for larger one's I'd lug the desktop around.. but my question here is -
For basic two track recording at higher latency settings... you should be OK.
Statements like these are just plain lies. You will do far better that just two tracks at high latency. In fact, any computer in the last ten to twelve years can do two tracks (much more) at higher latency. A complete production is possible with pretty much any new off the shelf laptop . These salesman just tell you it's not possible so you spend way more than anybody needs to on their wares (but it's ok for them to lie and mislead people because they are very helpful forum participants).
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/30 10:40:38
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How exactly is the phrase:
"For basic two track recording at higher latency settings... you should be OK."
capable of constituting a lie?
It might be a lie if indeed the system can not track 2 tracks. Ironically all 3 of us agree... almost any system will track 2 tracks... as the OP asked.
In all other respects the statement it is a open and in my mind 100% valid statement.
You have an axe to grind... will you please do us all a favor and just spit it out?
What are you so pissed off about? What has Jim, who doesn't sell laptops, done to you?
Let's hear it... I do business with Jim... I want to hear the dirt.
State it clearly... get it over with... put it in your signature... whatever... but please, do us all a favor and stop acting ridiculous.
best regards
mike
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alexoosthoek
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/30 11:51:50
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/04/30 18:03:41
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mike_mccue
How exactly is the phrase:
"For basic two track recording at higher latency settings... you should be OK."
capable of constituting a lie?
It might be a lie if indeed the system can not track 2 tracks. Ironically all 3 of us agree... almost any system will track 2 tracks... as the OP asked.
In all other respects the statement it is a open and in my mind 100% valid statement.
You have an axe to grind... will you please do us all a favor and just spit it out?
What are you so pissed off about? What has Jim, who doesn't sell laptops, done to you?
Let's hear it... I do business with Jim... I want to hear the dirt.
State it clearly... get it over with... put it in your signature... whatever... but please, do us all a favor and stop acting ridiculous.
best regards
mike
Hey Mike. The lie is that any modern laptop or computer is capable of far for that just two tracks. "Hiding" this fact or 'pretending" that it's far less capable is a lie, to me. As far as my agenda? Simple. I want to dispel the myth that a person needs to spend thousands of dollars for a "DAW computer". In this day an age, it's simply over kill for all but a very few. Maybe I'll put that in my sig. thanks for the suggestion!
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JonD
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/01 01:46:53
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Sandman, One important factor you're not even considering is the firewire chipset. Just for an example, an NEC FW chipset connected to a Presonus interface will likely refuse to play /record more than a few tracks without pops, dropouts, etc. - high latency or not. And in some cases with a laptop, that "bad" FW chipset cannot be corrected with a "good" add-on FW card because of the design. Spend any time on the Presonus forums and you'd know that laptops and DAWs can be a tricky combination. So someone in the market for a DAW laptop really needs to do his/her homework before purchasing. In short, your contention that any modern laptop will perform adequately with any audio interface (which is what you're implying here) is, forgive me, DEAD WRONG... And BTW, Jim's good reputation precedes him... And even if i didn't know of him, my own experience as a longtime IT technician (and DAW forum lurker) easily supports his statement - and disputes yours. Not trying to take sides here, just stepping in where I see misinformation.
post edited by JonD - 2010/05/01 01:53:49
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windsurfer25x
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/01 11:23:10
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Sandman,
I would have disagree with you, speaking from experience and having made costly mistakes in the past. All of these guys here speak the truth (to me anyways)
But as I said, I'm looking for something just for tracking... I have a company that has contacted me about recording spoken word on audio cd's for employee training purposes. If I can track the vocal audio with laptop an inexpensive laptop, that's what I want to do. For larger musical projects that would likely involve some plugins in the tracking process I would lug a desktop.
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alexoosthoek
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/01 15:27:54
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I think you can do that using a USB interface, like you said in your post.
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/01 23:50:12
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"Hey Mike. The lie is that any modern laptop or computer is capable of far for that just two tracks. "Hiding" this fact or 'pretending" that it's far less capable is a lie, to me."
You can read as well the next guy... So I think you clearly know... there was no lie... you have an axe to grind.
May I ask you a specific question... what bit depth/sample rate are you running that lap top rig of yours at?
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windsurfer25x
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/04 19:12:55
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I have been considering an alternative... what do you guys think of this?
The V-Studio 100... it could act as a stand alone recorder... it would be much more durable than any inexpensive laptop... it could function as a control surface and I'm sure there would be other advantages to having that over buying an inexpensive laptop and small interface..
what do you guys think for a portable recording solution for smaller projects?
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windsurfer25x
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/04 21:00:39
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Phoenix
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/07 13:51:34
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Just my 2c USD--if you don't need another laptop, and you could use a control surface, I'd say that was a good answer.
I'd guess the question is do you need to see anything on the display that wouldn't show in the window of the VS-100.
Also, offhand I can't find the info about transferring projects to and from Sonar so I'd ask how that works. I'm sure it can be done, though, CW wouldn't have made it so you can't. Maybe PM Alex, since he's on the vid demoing it at Miskmesse...?
Post back with your results, and good luck!
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/08 07:21:45
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I was reluctant to add my opinion.... it seems like a very expensive compact flash recorder.
If it will further your interest and quest for experience... I think it's a great idea... if you really just want to track two inputs I might look at smaller easier options.... you'll need a DAW to edit either way.
best,
mike
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/10 09:45:05
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Question was: Would a typical $500 laptop be alright for tracking with a USB interface for recording with 1 or 2 mics? Answer was: For basic two track recording at higher latency settings... you should be OK. Where the HELL was the lie?????? The OP SPECIFICALLY STATED it would be for ONE or TWO mics. Not 7. Not 15. Reading betweeen the lines Sandman??????
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/16 00:03:28
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So I saw a special for $500 on a i3 based acer laptop and I went for it. Specs where real good and the price was fantastic. Well, after some tweaking, I got the thing down to 2.2 ms latency (96 samples). DPC latency hovers around 80-150 with a max of around 1900. I left the DPC checker going for 15 minutes, to be sure. My soundcard is USB 2.0 (firewire is dead and the cause of so many problems, apperantly, so why bother). The sound card is the VS 100 and I got to say I'm very impresed with it. In fact, Im impressed with my whole set up. Being able to add VST plug in fx to my external gear in real time is very cool. And the best part is I got the VS100 for $200 brand new at Best buy.
So far, I recorded 6 tracks at once for 10 minutes while also recording midi from a drum machine/sequencer and vst synths. I also had a few fx plug ins on a vocal and some on the external gear. Not one glitch.
So for $700 I got an awesome laptop and awesome sound card/mixer/etc.., The lie, as I've said, is that any modern computer won't work as a good DAW. The truth is sitting in front of me. They make awesome DAWS and I'm very happy with my new set up (and the VS 100).
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JonD
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/16 03:30:49
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The only thing sitting in front of you is your own experience. That's all. It's a far stretch to call it "the truth" (as it applies to everybody). Good for you, if you haven't had to suffer through an incompatible laptop component. Others have, though. And how did you get a VS100 for $200?! Aren't they normally around $600 USD?
post edited by JonD - 2010/05/16 03:36:29
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The Maillard Reaction
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/16 08:08:47
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"So I saw a special for $500 on a i3 based acer laptop and I went for it. Specs where real good and the price was fantastic. Well, after some tweaking, I got the thing down to 2.2 ms latency (96 samples). DPC latency hovers around 80-150 with a max of around 1900. I left the DPC checker going for 15 minutes, to be sure. My soundcard is USB 2.0 (firewire is dead and the cause of so many problems, apperantly, so why bother). The sound card is the VS 100 and I got to say I'm very impresed with it. In fact, Im impressed with my whole set up. Being able to add VST plug in fx to my external gear in real time is very cool. And the best part is I got the VS100 for $200 brand new at Best buy.
So far, I recorded 6 tracks at once for 10 minutes while also recording midi from a drum machine/sequencer and vst synths. I also had a few fx plug ins on a vocal and some on the external gear. Not one glitch.
So for $700 I got an awesome laptop and awesome sound card/mixer/etc.., The lie, as I've said, is that any modern computer won't work as a good DAW. The truth is sitting in front of me. They make awesome DAWS and I'm very happy with my new set up (and the VS 100)."
Is that the rig I call the karaoke machine?
Can you answer my straight forward question?
What bit depth and sample rate you run? Those 6 tracks you mentioned may only equate to 1-1/2 tracks in my work flow. It seems like useful information to share... so folks can decide what to make of your claims.
Your DPC spikes at 1900 doesn't seem so good.
My DAW spikes at 30.
best regards,
mike
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/16 11:08:46
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mike_mccue
"So I saw a special for $500 on a i3 based acer laptop and I went for it. Specs where real good and the price was fantastic. Well, after some tweaking, I got the thing down to 2.2 ms latency (96 samples). DPC latency hovers around 80-150 with a max of around 1900. I left the DPC checker going for 15 minutes, to be sure. My soundcard is USB 2.0 (firewire is dead and the cause of so many problems, apperantly, so why bother). The sound card is the VS 100 and I got to say I'm very impresed with it. In fact, Im impressed with my whole set up. Being able to add VST plug in fx to my external gear in real time is very cool. And the best part is I got the VS100 for $200 brand new at Best buy.
So far, I recorded 6 tracks at once for 10 minutes while also recording midi from a drum machine/sequencer and vst synths. I also had a few fx plug ins on a vocal and some on the external gear. Not one glitch.
So for $700 I got an awesome laptop and awesome sound card/mixer/etc.., The lie, as I've said, is that any modern computer won't work as a good DAW. The truth is sitting in front of me. They make awesome DAWS and I'm very happy with my new set up (and the VS 100)."
Is that the rig I call the karaoke machine?
Can you answer my straight forward question?
What bit depth and sample rate you run? Those 6 tracks you mentioned may only equate to 1-1/2 tracks in my work flow. It seems like useful information to share... so folks can decide what to make of your claims.
Your DPC spikes at 1900 doesn't seem so good.
My DAW spikes at 30.
best regards,
mike
I record at 24 bit, 44.1 khz. Anything else is pointless and a total waste. And yeah. kind of a high spike. I did get it down to an occasional 1600. But as I've always maintained with dpc spikes; it does not equal glitches in recordings. I know this because I've released productions I've made on machines with bad DPC. You just raise the latency a bit. The most I'm likely to record on this set up is 8 tracks at once. But I already worked on projects containing 90 tracks of virtual instruments and audio mixed in. With a bunch of plug ins. I actually mostly record any Audio in the studio on protools and an 8 core mac. I then take the audio tracks and mix down on my laptop. I was just working on a project that had 40 audio tracks and a bunch of effects. They where 24/44. As far as a Karaoke machine? Only if Karaoke now means "guy who wasn't suckered into paying through the nose for his computer".
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Houndawg
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/20 16:28:49
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sandman - Since you've shared that you payed only $200 for a brand new VS100, please let us know how that is possible? The retail list price appears to be $699, with a minimum advertised price (MAP) of $599. A typical "B-Markup" for these types of products industry wide is 40% (list price multiplied by 0.6), putting the dealer cost at approximately $419.40. Best Buy is NOT in the habit losing over $200 per sale, even on a "loss leader" type item, which the VS100 clearly is not. So please, enlighten us as to how you purchased a new VS100 for $200. Did you take advantage of a mis-labeled product or some sort of other scam? Inquiring minds want to know since you've detailed how for only $700 you have such a great system. Suppose someone wanted to follow your example and acquire the same laptop and audio interface for only $700. Please explain.
post edited by Houndawg - 2010/05/20 16:30:20
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/20 20:30:20
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Houndawg
sandman -
Since you've shared that you payed only $200 for a brand new VS100, please let us know how that is possible?
The retail list price appears to be $699, with a minimum advertised price (MAP) of $599. A typical "B-Markup" for these types of products industry wide is 40% (list price multiplied by 0.6), putting the dealer cost at approximately $419.40. Best Buy is NOT in the habit losing over $200 per sale, even on a "loss leader" type item, which the VS100 clearly is not.
So please, enlighten us as to how you purchased a new VS100 for $200. Did you take advantage of a mis-labeled product or some sort of other scam?
Inquiring minds want to know since you've detailed how for only $700 you have such a great system. Suppose someone wanted to follow your example and acquire the same laptop and audio interface for only $700. Please explain.
I got a great deal for sure! It was at a best buy in the Miami area a few weeks ago (I'm not from FL so I don't know which store excactly, I could look at the receipt...not sure if it would help). They had it on clearence. Last one. I just happened to have $ 200 in my pocket too, so it was meant to be. I love the unit too! Sounds great and it's awesome to have a a digital mixer, control surface for sonar, and portable recorder too (no computer needed).
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MemphisJo
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/20 22:37:41
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Hi sandman..... I'm very happy for you, but for me to try and understand the thread a little better, (and the OP's original question)
Are you tracking (i.e. recording) this all at once (6 audio tracks, a midi drum track and various instrument tracks with VSTi's) - or just recording them individually and playing them back?
Did the OP want to record 2 tracks simultaneously while monitoring with near zero latency with this 500 dollar computer?
I don't think his intention was to simply record and play back 2 tracks in total, but it was not made clear before everyone went off on rant's. Communication and understanding seems to have gone astray here.
I can see a modern 500 dollar laptop playing back 6 audio tracks with some effects, a few midi tracks and a few instrument tracks using VSTi's, no problem (I can do that and more with my old Compaq pentium 4 2.4GHz laptop), but I can't see it recording 6 audio tracks simultaneously with effects while monitoring with usable latency.
No one is trying to lie to you, I think Jim's comment was based on the idea of doing a '2 track recording' (or one stereo track) I don't think he was referring to the total number of tracks that you could comfortably play back at once or how many tracks you might be able to playback while recording 2 tracks without running into some problems.
Capiche?
Just my take on it.
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sandman5000
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Re:Will an off the shelf laptop be ok?
2010/05/21 09:47:13
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MemphisJo
Hi sandman..... I'm very happy for you, but for me to try and understand the thread a little better, (and the OP's original question)
Are you tracking (i.e. recording) this all at once (6 audio tracks, a midi drum track and various instrument tracks with VSTi's) - or just recording them individually and playing them back?
Did the OP want to record 2 tracks simultaneously while monitoring with near zero latency with this 500 dollar computer?
I don't think his intention was to simply record and play back 2 tracks in total, but it was not made clear before everyone went off on rant's. Communication and understanding seems to have gone astray here.
I can see a modern 500 dollar laptop playing back 6 audio tracks with some effects, a few midi tracks and a few instrument tracks using VSTi's, no problem (I can do that and more with my old Compaq pentium 4 2.4GHz laptop), but I can't see it recording 6 audio tracks simultaneously with effects while monitoring with usable latency.
No one is trying to lie to you, I think Jim's comment was based on the idea of doing a '2 track recording' (or one stereo track) I don't think he was referring to the total number of tracks that you could comfortably play back at once or how many tracks you might be able to playback while recording 2 tracks without running into some problems.
Capiche?
Just my take on it.
I'm talking about definitely being able to record 6 audio tracks simultaneously with effects while monitoring with usable latency. I did that plus recorded 3 midi tracks (2 from hardware sequences, one from a vst I played live. I also had fx on the vocals.... Actually that is nothing too taxing for any computer in the last 4-5 years, if not longer. I recorded 8 tracks at once (a live band) on an amd athlon 2.4 probably 5 years or so ago.
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