Recording Question

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 7 Aug 2002 9:10 pm

I have been using the Roland Hard-disk recorders for several years now, with much success. I recorded some trax into the pc in my home, from the Roland, and saw how powerful the Samplitude program I have is! I synced the trax up very easily and mixdown was a cinch.
I want to add this to my studio. What computer components would you recommend?
I guess I will build one from the ground up, just the pieces I need.
I am kinda dumb, so please be specific!

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 8 Aug 2002 5:30 am

Reggie,

I am pretty far back in the computer world when it comes to Audio recording. I work on them everyday, but not in the medium. From what I have read in the past, you will need the fastest processor you can afford. I have seen some people with dual-processors, but I think that is a little over the top. You need a processor to handle all of the threads you are sending it. In audio, you want multiple tracks to play back all real time and be in sync with each other, and maybe pulling faders up and down and tweaking eq on the fly. That is a lot of CPU time and I would highly recommend buy the best that you can afford. Whether that is a Pentium 4, 2 GHz or if that is a Mac G4. That is a thread of its own. Good Luck.

Mark

Robert Todd · Post by **Robert Todd** » 8 Aug 2002 6:37 am

I use a Dell 8200 with a 2 ghz processor and and 512 K of ram. Dell and Ibm PCs have the fasteset PCI busses on the market and eliminate a significant speed bottleneck. The right Dell box can be had for around $1,600.

I'm also using the digi001 protools card and software, and a Roland 8 track HD workstation. I'm just now figuring out how to use it all, but I've noticed my PC with Windows XP home rocks.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Robert Todd on 08 August 2002 at 07:38 AM.]</p></FONT>

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 8 Aug 2002 8:13 am

I, too, was asking similar question not too long ago. I recommend going to:
http://homerecording.com/bbs

It's a great site. They have a newbies section and everything. They have all kinds of sections, and its run just like this one. ALso, they have a Roland forum. These guys are very very smart about these things. Just don't cross post, or they get mad!

Also, they will help you a lot. And, you might call Roland tech support or whatever and see what they recommend, go to a local music store, if they have a recording section, but a lot of times, they don't really know what they're talking about. hehe

Wayne Brown · Post by **Wayne Brown** » 8 Aug 2002 1:22 pm

forgot something abe ????

Tom Diemer · Post by **Tom Diemer** » 8 Aug 2002 1:23 pm

Reggie,

How many tracks do you need to record at once?

I have a Delta 66 Omnistation sound card unit. It will do 24 bit up to 96k sampling. It has a breakout box with 4 line in's, 2 preamps (good ones) built in, and a stereo SPIF connector for hookup to things like ADAT drives, or some digital mixers. It works exceptionally well. Sound quality is awesome.

If you need more tracks at once, there is a Delta 1010 that is 10 in and 10 out.

The big names right now are Ardvark and Midiman (they make the Delta stuff).

I use Ntrack software, but these cards work with most of the multitracking software out there. ( will not work with CoolEdit 2000 though - 24 bit sound cards aren't supported)
Ntrack may not be the best overall, but it is IMHO the best for the money invested. www.fasoft.com

Tom

P.S. I used to do 12 or more stereo tracks with effects on some, on a P2 350.