Another vote for a Ryzen powered laptop. The Ryzen chips excel at tasks like music production. The bang-for-buck is exceptional.
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Good recording laptop for $500?
- Thread starter PrimitiveMan
- Start date
Look for a T series Thinkpad.
Tx40 and below are $100 or less.
Tx50 and tx60 should be no more than $200.
Tx50 has the advantage of being able to run 2 ssds cheaply with an m.2 ssd as your OS/apps drive.
Tx60 and newer run nvme drives, but at x2 speed so it isn't that much of an advantage for non high io users.
You could go Ryzen, but you'd have to look at your workflow and decide if you are storage or cpu bound.
I always liked the mega cpu focus builds that end up leveraging gpu or multiple storage devices that put up really average benchmark #s. They didn't know their workflow and just bought something.
Tx40 and below are $100 or less.
Tx50 and tx60 should be no more than $200.
Tx50 has the advantage of being able to run 2 ssds cheaply with an m.2 ssd as your OS/apps drive.
Tx60 and newer run nvme drives, but at x2 speed so it isn't that much of an advantage for non high io users.
You could go Ryzen, but you'd have to look at your workflow and decide if you are storage or cpu bound.
I always liked the mega cpu focus builds that end up leveraging gpu or multiple storage devices that put up really average benchmark #s. They didn't know their workflow and just bought something.
Totally agree....Ill be the first to admit that Mac is a more stable platform but I havent had any reason yet to switch from Windows....
Don't get me wrong, I own an old Mac from 2011 and yeah the audio kernel (Core Audio) is much more stable than the Windows counterparts (mostly a total mess on Windows, apart ASIO, which sadly isn't universal!)... but the complete OS?? If you don't install poopie on Windows, it's gonna be stable. Seriously I am fixing computers for a living, so I use all 3 major OSs (Linux Mint, Win 10 and Mac OS), but I had more people calling me for viruses on Mac than on Windows.
Almost any computer can be a recording machine these days, provided you are using appropriate software. I made two very old laptops onto recording computers for friends who are stuck at home and don't have a computer to use for the task.
Have a look at this article - it has some good tips on best practices for this purpose
How to make music on an old computer: 4 things you need to consider | MusicRadar
Have a look at this article - it has some good tips on best practices for this purpose
How to make music on an old computer: 4 things you need to consider | MusicRadar
I am aware that Mac is not the only OS that can run a DAW as I have windows computers also.
And I suppose I will give any type of advice that I feel could be pertinent to the question. It could be a valid way that he may want to go.
Used Macs are cheap, As for keeping it running, I simply update my Mac when there is an update and away I go. I use Reaper and have zero problems. I also use Amplitube, EzDrummer and otters software that all works just fine. No tricks, nothing special to keep it running besides periodic updates
I am aware that Mac is not the only OS that can run a DAW as I have windows computers also.
And I suppose I will give any type of advice that I feel could be pertinent to the question. It could be a valid way that he may want to go.
Used Macs are cheap, As for keeping it running, I simply update my Mac when there is an update and away I go. I use Reaper and have zero problems. I also use Amplitube, EzDrummer and otters software that all works just fine. No tricks, nothing special to keep it running besides periodic updates
Unless @picnic01 will use the 2009 MacBook you recommand OFFLINE, Mac OS isn't updated anymore on that machine. Newer computers are lighter and are better value to spend on. For $500 you can get a laptop that has an SSD (upgradable hard disk memory, unlike ALL Apple laptops nowadays, which are also encrypted whether you like it or not by their stupid non replaceable/failing T2 chip), at least 8 GB RAM, 1" of screen more, 1 kg less... and yes, Windows. The Acer Ryzen has a 1080p screen, a nice selections of ports. And most people are just fine doing music on Windows. Mac OS is really needed in high-end situation like real big studios for mainstream music & movies (Logic & Final)
I have a 2015 ThinkPad T450 very similar to the one posted earlier in the discussion. It’s fine for recording—not amazing, but not terrible either.
I use it with an AudioBox USB interface and tend to record one or two bass tracks most of the time. It allows me to collaborate on projects remotely and sounds good enough for the folks I work with, so for me it gets the job done.
I use it with an AudioBox USB interface and tend to record one or two bass tracks most of the time. It allows me to collaborate on projects remotely and sounds good enough for the folks I work with, so for me it gets the job done.
I noticed there are other PC Techs replying. Nice of them. My recommendation is an off-lease Dell Refurbished laptop. You buy directly from Dell and can even add one or two years warranty. They throw in free UPS or FedEx shipping. These refurbs are great values. Easy to work on and if you buy the extended warranty you can call in for support and if needed, mail in repair. In all the years I've been buying Dell laptops, I've had very few failures.
Dell Refurbished Off Lease Dell Refurbished Laptops - 13 inch - 14 inch
Dell Refurbished Off Lease Dell Refurbished Laptops - 13 inch - 14 inch
My $0.02, for what its worth, would be a second-hand MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012). These can be picked up really cheaply. Add in a 1Tb SSD and 16Gb RAM, install Mojave (OSX 10.14.6), a decent 2x audio interface, and it rocks for audio production. You can run pretty much any DAW you want--Logic, Studio One (my choice), Reaper, etc--and a ton of plugins. All should fit into your budget pretty well.
First thing people need to know to answer your questions is exactly what you plan to record. If you just plan to record a guitar and a vocal, pretty much any laptop and a 2 input interface will be enough. The same laptop will record and playback a fair number of tracks. Where you will need more power is when you come to mixing. By the time you have eq and compression on 10 or 15 tracks plus reverb, demand on your CPU is starting to mount up. And that is a quite minimal mix. Don't forget that you'll need control of at least some individual drums to stop them drowning out other instruments without turning down the whole kit to the point you lose other drums or cymals
Your zoom will have some latency issues and doesn't have a mic input. It might be useful running into a dedicated interface, say for compression. Or it may be too noisy. Most effects need to be adjusted in the mix. Ableton fx are fine. But all VSTs soak up the clock cycles. My own experience of Scarlett interfaces is they are well specced for the money. I'd second that suggestion.
Your zoom will have some latency issues and doesn't have a mic input. It might be useful running into a dedicated interface, say for compression. Or it may be too noisy. Most effects need to be adjusted in the mix. Ableton fx are fine. But all VSTs soak up the clock cycles. My own experience of Scarlett interfaces is they are well specced for the money. I'd second that suggestion.
This. Macs are the preferred platform for audio from everything I've seen. A used Apogee Duet or RME Babyface interface should be your next purchase... then you'll be able to turn out pro level audio
Mostly layering synth and drum tracks with live bass, and some vocals occasionally. The zoom is just a place holder I plan to upgrade to a presonus or scarlett interface shortly.
I’m currently using a 2015 macbook pro for recording, which works perfectly fine. You can get one of those for around $500-600 if you look around. That plus an outboard hard drive and you’re set.
I've heard the same but never tried it myself.
Are you talking outboard synths or VSTs? OB won't strain your computer but you can get legendary synthesis for $50-100 each
if you watch for sales.
You'd probably get better information from sites like Sound on Sound about computer recording. And Invalid Link Removed for VSTs. Just hit those forums. Those people are as helpful in their fields as the people here are about bass.
Please don't recommand a laptop with a frigging failing keyboard and non replaceable disk drive
