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Computer for home recording- how much do I really need?

#81
Tosh said:
Also, I can tell you that 8GB is enough, until you start running multiple plugins & soft synths simultaneously.
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Agreed. Not to bash Darkglass/Neural, but if the OP wants to run that VST in real time (small buffer size), 8 GB is gonna choke based on my experience with 16 GB devices. I'm not sure where the trade-off is between chip speed and RAM, where increasing one by a factor of X reduces the need for the other by a factor of Y, but I bet the RAM would be the bottleneck in this case. Some audio software and/or processes don't benefit from multi-core processing. I'd say 16 GB minimum is probably best, unless the OP is certain of the software and recording process to be used. I'm not saying 8 won't work, but if there's any question, 16 is going to be worth the extra $.
 
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#82
Willy B said:
I’m looking to put together my first home recording setup and I need a computer. Based on what I’ve read so far, the suggested requirements seem to be:

-3.0 GHz quad-core i5 processor or better
-16 GB RAM or more
-500 GB hard drive or more

I’m just getting started and will just be learning the basics for a while. I will mainly be using it for practice, transcribing, etc. and for getting bass ideas down. Possibly some guitar and virtual instruments as well, along with some plugins (curious about the Neural DSP stuff). So I’m wondering if I can get by with less- a sub-3GHz processor and 8 GB RAM, for example. I know this depends in part on the DAW of choice. I’m leaning towards a Mac, with the intention of starting on GarageBand and moving to Logic Pro eventually. I haven’t completely ruled out PC though.

I would also prefer a desktop over laptop. So I’m considering a new iMac, with a 10th gen i5 or i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. I figure I can run programs and plugins on the SSD and use external hard drives for storing files.

This would cost roughly twice as much as I’d like to spend, ideally. I could swing it though, if it’s worth it. It certainly looks as though it would get the job done, but would it be overkill for my needs? Maybe a Mac mini with a ~$300 3rd party monitor, or a refurbished Mac would still get the job done and come more within my budget. Suggestions?
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I would look at the software you are going to use (Pro Tools-Cubasis) for finding out what you need.
 
#84
One thing I thought might be helpful. I keep my better computer set up in the practice room for recording (using headphones when I need to monitor the mix). For mixing I mainly use my laptop and work at my desk with monitors. It's an older Acer and not all that high performance. It runs my DAW fine and has enough horsepower for audio tracks. It's got too much latency for recording but seems to be fine for mixing. Just things to consider as you set up your own outfit. I find that I can concentrate on mixing better at my desk. I just use a USB drive to copy the files over to other system.

One thing I found with dealing with Sweetwater, actually by surprise. I purchased an inexpensive tube driven Mic pre-amp to see how it would work on vocals, it was really dark and didn't work for me. I called the sales rep and told him it wasn't working for me. They upgraded it for free - if the item is clean and you have the original packaging - they cover free return shipping and full purchase price applied to the the upgrade item. Hard to beat. They are a little pricier but there are some perks.

Like everyone responding, we all tend upgrade as it works for us.
 
#85
AGCurry said:
There is no need to spend a lot of money on a new computer, especially desktops. There are thousands of off-lease desktops for sale (like $100) at any time, and they work perfectly well. Many of us made multitrack recordings 20 years ago on Pentium 4 PCs with Windows 98. Just about any modern PC will work fine, especially with a solid-state hard drive and expansion room inside it.
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THIS.

I purchased a refurb PC 4 years ago (it was something like $90 and looked and performed like a brand new pc) specifically to use for audio, video, word processing, and CAD work. I disabled auto updates and it is NOT connected to the internet. I couldn't be happier, and it works just fine using Reaper and a 250 gig hard drive with 4 megs of RAM.

Anything I need the internet for I use my Chromebook and move files with a thumb drive. It's easy and I don't have any of the problems with having my work machine on the web.

I'll probably do the same in a year or two to update to a Windows 10 box with the now common SS drive and more RAM.

On a side note, I went with a few of Terry West's excellent VST plug-ins. CHEAP and super-functional. I love his mastering plugs. He maintains a website and once you decide to purchase you can download whatever you want by paying a single fee to unlock his downloads.
 
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#90
Rabidhamster said:
Awesome, excellent choice! You’ll probably get it around today then. Hope you love it, that’s a great machine and will likely keep you set for years.
What sort of monitor and mouse/keyboard setup are you going with?
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Got it yesterday! But, I’ll likely be waiting another week for my peripherals. I went with the iClever GK03 wireless keyboard/mouse combo and an Acer 22” full hd monitor. Hopefully I won’t regret the choice of monitor but I could always upgrade or add a second. Didn’t want to drop too much money on the display; still have to purchase an interface, monitors and headphones.
 
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#91
Willy B said:
Got it yesterday! But, I’ll likely be waiting another week for my peripherals. I went with the iClever GK03 wireless keyboard/mouse combo and an Acer 22” full hd monitor. Hopefully I won’t regret the choice of monitor but I could always upgrade or add a second. Didn’t want to drop too much money on the display; still have to purchase an interface, monitors and headphones.
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Cool! I’ve set up more Acer monitors than I can even count. Nothing to complain about with them, they do what they say and often come with an assortment of cables with reasonably current connector selections in box. I think you’ll get what you expect, 22inch at Full HD looks nice and crisp.
 
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#92
Rabidhamster said:
Cool! I’ve set up more Acer monitors than I can even count. Nothing to complain about with them, they do what they say and often come with an assortment of cables with reasonably current connector selections in box. I think you’ll get what you expect, 22inch at Full HD looks nice and crisp.
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It’s the ultra-thin zero frame (which I think is actually a very narrow bezel) model with IPS, if that means anything to you. It’s all new to me; I’ve only had a Dell Inspiron laptop for the last 15 years and haven’t used it for the last few. This will be my first Mac as well so, looking forward to it. But mostly I’m eager to start recording; I’ve wanted to for a long time now. I think it will be useful for developing ideas on the bass, or even just remembering them (I forget so many).
Next up is choosing an interface. I’m thinking a T3 interface, since I can with the mini and my understanding is the latency is lower than with USB. But it also looks like the options are more limited and generally more expensive. The UA Apollo Solo looks like a contender but is a bit pricey for me. And I don’t know that I’d be using their plugins beyond what’s included, or if my mini will handle Luna. Maybe a used Clarett or Element? Or go usb and get a Scarlett solo or 2i2.
 
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#93
I’m a big fan of my Komplete Audio 6 (v1) interface. The v2 models out now have some interesting new features. They’re worth a look, particularly if you want MIDI functionality.

There are several great interfaces out at fair prices.
 
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#94
Willy B said:
It’s the ultra-thin zero frame (which I think is actually a very narrow bezel) model with IPS, if that means anything to you. It’s all new to me; I’ve only had a Dell Inspiron laptop for the last 15 years and haven’t used it for the last few. This will be my first Mac as well so, looking forward to it. But mostly I’m eager to start recording; I’ve wanted to for a long time now. I think it will be useful for developing ideas on the bass, or even just remembering them (I forget so many).
Next up is choosing an interface. I’m thinking a T3 interface, since I can with the mini and my understanding is the latency is lower than with USB. But it also looks like the options are more limited and generally more expensive. The UA Apollo Solo looks like a contender but is a bit pricey for me. And I don’t know that I’d be using their plugins beyond what’s included, or if my mini will handle Luna. Maybe a used Clarett or Element? Or go usb and get a Scarlett solo or 2i2.
Click to expand...

IPS = In Plane Switching - this is good, it will really cut down on the strobe effect and reduce aliasing in your display.

What is your budget for an interface? I'm NOT going to buy a thunderbolt 3 interface myself, due to the high cost. I'm thinking of a Tbolt-2 box and a T3 -> T2 adapter. You are right about the latency - USB is a big compromise versus anything Thunderbolt. If you are going USB, just get the minimum box for your needs and think about upgrading later.

Let me make things even more complicated for you here: your Mini supports Audio Video Bridging (AVB) over ethernet. That means you can get ANY AVB interface (MOTU and Presonus are the primary vendors right now) and connect to it using just an ethernet cable. This is the digital audio transport of the future, and you can get it now!

I've selected the MOTU 828es for my next interface.....
 
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#95
Hey here's a tip for working on a mac: once you have it all set up and it's running your software in a stable fashion, turn off the auto-update feature, and don't update unless you absolutely have to. Apple updates have a tendency to break things. At least temporarily until Apple or the hardware vendors can find a solution. If you do need to update, clone your system HD in case you need to roll back.
 
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#97
AceOfBassFace said:
Hey here's a tip for working on a mac: once you have it all set up and it's running your software in a stable fashion, turn off the auto-update feature, and don't update unless you absolutely have to. Apple updates have a tendency to break things. At least temporarily until Apple or the hardware vendors can find a solution. If you do need to update, clone your system HD in case you need to roll back.
Click to expand...
OH YEAH AMEN BRUTHA!

Time Machine + external drive = essential. Saved a few projects, it did.
 
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#98
Tosh said:
IPS = In Plane Switching - this is good, it will really cut down on the strobe effect and reduce aliasing in your display.

What is your budget for an interface? I'm NOT going to buy a thunderbolt 3 interface myself, due to the high cost. I'm thinking of a Tbolt-2 box and a T3 -> T2 adapter. You are right about the latency - USB is a big compromise versus anything Thunderbolt. If you are going USB, just get the minimum box for your needs and think about upgrading later.

Let me make things even more complicated for you here: your Mini supports Audio Video Bridging (AVB) over ethernet. That means you can get ANY AVB interface (MOTU and Presonus are the primary vendors right now) and connect to it using just an ethernet cable. This is the digital audio transport of the future, and you can get it now!

I've selected the MOTU 828es for my next interface.....
Click to expand...

I could probably go as high as 500, but 100-300 is more my target range.
Yeah may just end up with a simple usb interface like a Scarlett solo or Audient iD4 but I’ll look into the AVB thing, didn’t know about that.
 
#100
Early 2011 MacBook Pro happy user, here.

When I bought it almost 10 yrs ago, I never thought it would last this long and that I would learn to play the bass - or even get into recording it!
I did upgrade mem to 16Gb and got it running on SSD, which made a huge difference.
Using Scarlett 2i2.

I’m now stuck in OSX 13/ High Sierra, couldn’t get Catalina - but even so decided to buy Logic after using GarageBand. Can’t upgrade to the latest 10.5 version, but it already has more than I need.

I hope my MacBook will last for a few more years - I will then upgrade to the coming ARM Macs and enjoy the latest version of Logic at the time (if they still keep free upgrades, then).
 
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