by tower do you mean case? Do you have any friends with knowledge about computers? You can build your own much cheaper than if you bought a Dell or HP with identical specs.
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Computer Recommendations for editing
- Thread starter Zappstorius
- Start date
Yes, as in PC or desktop I guess you'd call it. It seems like it much easier to expand or make a bare bones desktop...much cheaper too right?
I do have a good friend that makes rap music and has built computers for this before. But maybe mine doesn't need to be as beefy as I'm not recording directly into it, just editing?
I do have a good friend that makes rap music and has built computers for this before. But maybe mine doesn't need to be as beefy as I'm not recording directly into it, just editing?
Wrong on expanding one... You're better off starting from scratch. Get your friend to help. 2 things that you don't want to skimp on: the case itself and the powersupply within. If you get a decent case with good airflow then it will be the last one you ever buy. With a good power supply you're also future-proofing the system a bit.
I didn't read all this thread but building your own PC is definitely the way to go!
If I were you I'd go with an i5 processor, those things have power to boot and are a lot better value (imo) than the i7's. I wouldn't bother with anything less than an i5 these days (I still run a Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz and it's fine, but you'd be silly to build something that's already obsolete). Since the new Sandy Bridge cpu's just came out there will probably be a price drop soon, too. The i5 760 would be my choice, it's currently just over $200AUD.
If you went with the i5 you'd need a socket 1156 motherboard, you'll get something decent for a little over $100.
I'd go with 4gig of RAM, if I were doing a build right now I'd use G. Skill Ripjaws, they're around $80 for two 2gig sticks, which also gives you room to go to 8gig down the line.
Don't skimp on your power supply, I like Corsair, Antec and OCZ myself and you couldn't go wrong if you spent about $150 on one.
You'll need a video card too, take your pick here really.. if you're just doing audio stuff you'd probably get away with spending only $40. Second hand is an option here too as you hardly need to push dx11.
Will you be running an external sound card? My guitarist has an Alesis Firewire thing at his house that does the job really well, but if you don't need one then a Creative X-Fi is what I use (around $100), though it may not be the best choice for audio editing, but I'll let you look into that (it does have an Audio Creation mode though that I've found good to use while editing, mostly just to turn all the cards little features off, though).
What sort of storage are you looking for? You'll want a lot if you'll be storing lots of audio files, I use Western Digital Green drives for that and you'd get 2TB for $100. If you can afford to, keep Windows and all your programs on a separate drive. I use a WD Black but I'd seriously consider a small solid state drive if I were you, it'll make your PC zippy as hell.
As for the case.. that's personal preference. Get something with room for your components to breath, though. The Corsair 600T will house my next build and I'd highly recommend taking a look at that, though it may be a bit excessive for your needs.
Only other thing to consider are your peripherals! Take your pick here, though a Razer gaming mouse is actually super good for editing if you get one with programmable buttons as you can set the mouse's DPI levels on them. In layman's terms that basically means that you can drastically lower the mouse sensitivity in under a second, which is cool if you need to do some really specific clicking in your DAW. Also don't forget studio monitors as computer speakers aren't the best to mix on!
Hope that helped you out a bit and feel free to ask any questions!
If I were you I'd go with an i5 processor, those things have power to boot and are a lot better value (imo) than the i7's. I wouldn't bother with anything less than an i5 these days (I still run a Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz and it's fine, but you'd be silly to build something that's already obsolete). Since the new Sandy Bridge cpu's just came out there will probably be a price drop soon, too. The i5 760 would be my choice, it's currently just over $200AUD.
If you went with the i5 you'd need a socket 1156 motherboard, you'll get something decent for a little over $100.
I'd go with 4gig of RAM, if I were doing a build right now I'd use G. Skill Ripjaws, they're around $80 for two 2gig sticks, which also gives you room to go to 8gig down the line.
Don't skimp on your power supply, I like Corsair, Antec and OCZ myself and you couldn't go wrong if you spent about $150 on one.
You'll need a video card too, take your pick here really.. if you're just doing audio stuff you'd probably get away with spending only $40. Second hand is an option here too as you hardly need to push dx11.
Will you be running an external sound card? My guitarist has an Alesis Firewire thing at his house that does the job really well, but if you don't need one then a Creative X-Fi is what I use (around $100), though it may not be the best choice for audio editing, but I'll let you look into that (it does have an Audio Creation mode though that I've found good to use while editing, mostly just to turn all the cards little features off, though).
What sort of storage are you looking for? You'll want a lot if you'll be storing lots of audio files, I use Western Digital Green drives for that and you'd get 2TB for $100. If you can afford to, keep Windows and all your programs on a separate drive. I use a WD Black but I'd seriously consider a small solid state drive if I were you, it'll make your PC zippy as hell.
As for the case.. that's personal preference. Get something with room for your components to breath, though. The Corsair 600T will house my next build and I'd highly recommend taking a look at that, though it may be a bit excessive for your needs.
Only other thing to consider are your peripherals! Take your pick here, though a Razer gaming mouse is actually super good for editing if you get one with programmable buttons as you can set the mouse's DPI levels on them. In layman's terms that basically means that you can drastically lower the mouse sensitivity in under a second, which is cool if you need to do some really specific clicking in your DAW. Also don't forget studio monitors as computer speakers aren't the best to mix on!
Hope that helped you out a bit and feel free to ask any questions!
For Recording..
OPINION...
I wouldn't build your own machine (yes I've done it and do it frequently)
I'd go backwards... pick an interface that will work for you.. then go to the manufacturer's forum.... make a post for the combination.
There's tons of misleading things of "my XYZ computer records great".. much of this depends on the drivers clashing, throughput etc.
The first question tech support will ask "what operating system and computer are you running"
=====
I've successfully recorded with laptops for a few years... I try to stick with major mfgs (dell, HP etc).
IF doing some VERY SERIOUS VERY INTENSIVE computing/recording.. just about anything you do now will be reconsidered -- I'd wait until you have a problem.
------
Also note, how processing is handled varies widely between interfaces...
I prefer the ones that do it on board (and don't tax the software)....
----
Summary.. pick the software you want to run and the interface... then work it backwards.
I always call the tech support and ask for proven and known computers they're using.,
OPINION...
I wouldn't build your own machine (yes I've done it and do it frequently)
I'd go backwards... pick an interface that will work for you.. then go to the manufacturer's forum.... make a post for the combination.
There's tons of misleading things of "my XYZ computer records great".. much of this depends on the drivers clashing, throughput etc.
The first question tech support will ask "what operating system and computer are you running"
=====
I've successfully recorded with laptops for a few years... I try to stick with major mfgs (dell, HP etc).
IF doing some VERY SERIOUS VERY INTENSIVE computing/recording.. just about anything you do now will be reconsidered -- I'd wait until you have a problem.
------
Also note, how processing is handled varies widely between interfaces...
I prefer the ones that do it on board (and don't tax the software)....
----
Summary.. pick the software you want to run and the interface... then work it backwards.
I always call the tech support and ask for proven and known computers they're using.,
Another note (hope this helps)
There's tons and tons of dribble about "must be firewire"
(yes I know I'm an overly cautious nerd)
I called Best Buy Coroporate... they have a staff who only guide the market place (usefulness, integration etc)
I asked about firewire... the reply was "cool concept" Apple is divesting (check out how they're selling stuff and how firewire is disappearing.... the bulk of convergence will be USB3 as it's more widely adopted..
Hope this helps.
There's tons and tons of dribble about "must be firewire"
(yes I know I'm an overly cautious nerd)
I called Best Buy Coroporate... they have a staff who only guide the market place (usefulness, integration etc)
I asked about firewire... the reply was "cool concept" Apple is divesting (check out how they're selling stuff and how firewire is disappearing.... the bulk of convergence will be USB3 as it's more widely adopted..
Hope this helps.
I was about to disagree with you, but upon further thinking, you're right: if he is just doing basic editing then a pre-assembled system would be fine. I will say however that I would never buy one, as I find them too expensive for the components you get with them, I hate all the crap that comes pre-installed and I like to have picked every part and have full control over my build. I'm an enthusiast.
Windows 7 is tops. If you want to save a bit of money XP is still really good also.
Windows 7 is tops. If you want to save a bit of money XP is still really good also.
