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Good recording laptop for $500?

#61
factory presets said:
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.
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VSTs mostly, we have a really nice e piano in our place but no synths
 
#63
shrigg said:
This. Macs are the preferred platform for audio from everything I've seen.
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They really aren't. They are more expensive in a bang for buck kind of way. Which is a factor in an industry where money is often tight. What apple does have is willingness to buy up multi platform software and releasing it on their platforms for very good prices. Works well for people working on their own. But causes problems for people collaborating across platforms.

Not gonna have a fanboy battle so no point in trying.
.
 
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#64
Just to be clear I used to have a 2009 MacBook pro, nice presonus interface, good monitors, etc. The MacBook started having problems in 2013 (video card broke) and then eventually totally bricked in 2015. I sold the other gear as I needed the money at the time.

I want to go PC this time, so not interested in Macs.

Once again I appreciate all the helpful advice
 
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#65
PrimitiveMan said:
I'm kind of over Mac but I'm open to seeing what's around used
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These older MacBooks are still working: My setup is a used Apollo Twin interface (375), a Used 2012 350 + 175 in upgrades. I paid for Logic (which you install on as many Macs as you own) - On sale 99 regular 199 and Maintage for like 24 and that is the equivalent of Ableton live and in my opinion better (vs 400 for Ableton which is per installation) And there is an app on ipad that serves as the Logic control. For around 1100 -- I have a pretty stable system that is pro level but still portable. I have a couple of outboard preamps/compressor but the Apollo is pretty capable. I am so stoked that the whole thing with Reference monitors and 4 condenser mics fit in a Pelican case and or a couple carry-ons (no stands) and the quality is impressive. But really the Mac and the Apollo with two AKG condenser fits in a laptop bag and I can record tracks with my collaborators with minimal gear.
 
#66
PrimitiveMan said:
Hi all,

Looking to get back into recording after several years. I currently only have a cheap Chromebook so am unable to do anything really. I am not particularly well versed on what to look for in a laptop for recording.

Are there good options in the 500 USD range? I'm planning on pairing this with Ableton 10. What specs should I look for?

Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

I bought an X1 carbon Thinkpad (Lenovo) from ebay for around $450. Pentimento I7 with 8Gb of Ram. I installed Fedora desktop and audacity. I am very happy with it. Caveat is I am a programmer that’s dislikes using windows and only dabble in recording.
 
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#69
PrimitiveMan said:
Hi all,

Looking to get back into recording after several years. I currently only have a cheap Chromebook so am unable to do anything really. I am not particularly well versed on what to look for in a laptop for recording.

Are there good options in the 500 USD range? I'm planning on pairing this with Ableton 10. What specs should I look for?

Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
HP, hands down, get an HP. You can get a pretty darn nice one for about 600 with an i5 processor, 1TB HDD, and more than enough ram to run anything.
 
#71
PrimitiveMan said:
Just to be clear I used to have a 2009 MacBook pro, nice presonus interface, good monitors, etc. The MacBook started having problems in 2013 (video card broke) and then eventually totally bricked in 2015. I sold the other gear as I needed the money at the time.

I want to go PC this time, so not interested in Macs.

Once again I appreciate all the helpful advice
Click to expand...
Isn't it amazing-- some TB'ers are having conversations with themselves! :roflmao:
I noted that twice you made it very clear you wanted a PC.
Also I think twice you said you wanted a laptop.

Are people reading the thread or just missing your posts? :rollno:
 
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#72
PrimitiveMan said:
I also want to try live looping which I have heard ableton is good for
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This is the reason to go with Ableton.

Ableton is my primary software. I’ve found that Logic manages the CPU and RAM usage better in certain projects. Since you’re going PC, Logic isn’t going to be on your radar, but other DAW software might be.

If you weren’t planning on doing looping, I’d say other software might be a better fit, allowing you to spend more on hardware.

Keep in mind that if you really want to utilize Ableton you’ll want an external controller for triggering the clips. The Push 2 is fancy but I haven’t clicked with it. Novation makes popular hardware controllers for Ableton. There are phone and tablet based apps that will help too (I use Touch-Able).
 
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#73
If you’re tight on funding right now you could forego getting Ableton initially and instead use Reaper for your DAW. It’s a licensed piece of software but has no restrictions on the download which is free for evaluation. The authors of Reaper only ask you pay the modest license fee when you can. But either way it’s completely unlocked with no nagware.

If you do go with a Focusrite Scarlet interface last I heard it was shipping with a copy of Ableton Live Lite. So thats also something to consider if you’re committed to working with Ableton.
 
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#75
GROUPON - Apple Macbook for $520. Sale ends April 13, 2020

Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Laptop with 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB Storage (2015) (Refurb. A-Grade)


Link Removed

Can add 3 Year warranty for $79 dollars
 
#76
ram and ssd.

I do a lot of composing and recording and I'm using a 2011 macbook pro. My wife has the same computer, same year and mine is easily 5-6 times faster than hers and the only difference is that I have 16gb of ram and a 500gb ssd. I run Logic Pro X and have some pretty large projects on the go and I have no issues (I have to freeze a track or 2 but who doesnt'?)

Unlike video and photo editing, recording uses a lot of single core performance. So getting the best single core for your $ will help in the long run.
 
#77
PrimitiveMan said:
Just to be clear I used to have a 2009 MacBook pro, nice presonus interface, good monitors, etc. The MacBook started having problems in 2013 (video card broke) and then eventually totally bricked in 2015. I sold the other gear as I needed the money at the time.

I want to go PC this time, so not interested in Macs.

Once again I appreciate all the helpful advice
Click to expand...

I'd really give a better/newer Mac a chance
 
#78
As I'm looking into upgrading my own recording setup from Lenovo T410 (ca. 2009-10?) and Mackie Blackjack, what specs should I consider in my next PC to reduce latency? Is it RAM, CPU, hard drive, any combination of these? Reaper says my current latency is 9.3ms both in and out, 18.6 in total. For my next interface I'd probably go with a Scarlett, maybe 8i6.
 

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