Laptop for running Cubase LE?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Im just wondering what kind of spec a computer should be for running Cubase LE (using a firewire interface)

Harddrive size doesnt matter too as id use an external drive

But what kind of spec of processor and how much ram?

Cheers guys

 

[WalterBush]

As much as possible. Especially if you're wanting to do a lot of multitracking, and don't want to have to freeze your tracks for plugin usage. The CPU meter on my SONAR setup starts pegging at about 95% during mixdown, and I record at lower sample rates. I've got a 2 gig processor and a gig of ram. Of course, I run a helluva lot of plugins, too.

Recording is like Windows. If you've got the resources to spare, they'll get used almost against your will, just 'cause they're there.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I think my PC would handle things ok-ish

P4 3.2 Ghz HT processor
2 Gb DDR400 Ram

I just really wasnt looking at spending as much on a laptop, but looks like i might have to :'(

 

[msquared]

As much as possible. Especially if you're wanting to do a lot of multitracking, and don't want to have to freeze your tracks for plugin usage. The CPU meter on my SONAR setup starts pegging at about 95% during mixdown, and I record at lower sample rates. I've got a 2 gig processor and a gig of ram. Of course, I run a helluva lot of plugins, too.

If we're talking about needs versus wants, I disagree.

If you're using an external firewire (NOT USB) drive and have a decent amount of RAM, you can get by with very little CPU. The only time it hurts is during actual mixdown, which isn't a huge deal. When I'm playing back a multitrack in Sonar with plugins and 24+ tracks, my CPU (Ath64 3200) doesn't typically get over 10% usage.

And Sonar or Cubase will max your CPU during mixdown no matter what your hardware is. It doesn't mean your computer is underpowered, it means it's trying to mix down as fast as possible and is spending CPU cycles processing the mixing + plugins and controlling the drive bus.

As a side note, a lot of what dictates what you need is how ridiculous you get with the plugins. A friend of mine who was having some CPU usage issues was telling me the other day that he runs an individual compression plugin on every drum channel, every vocal channel, and distorted electric guitar. I was surprised to hear this, because typically you can get by with a sub bus for the drums (with a stereo multiband plugin) and I can't think of any situation where you need different compression plugins on each vocal channel. A sub bus would work there too. And the distorted guitar is already compressed before it hits the disk. Sub bussing takes a lot of load off of your CPU as well as making your workflow a lot smoother.

I've said this before in multiple "what laptop should I get for recording" threads (ahem, search engine) but I started out recording with a 500MHz laptop and an external firewire drive. I had no problem as long as I stayed under 60 or so tracks.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Ill be honest, i didnt search.

But thats good to hear, most of what happened on the laptop would be the actual recording, id then use my home PC to mixdown and master everything.

Are the plugins only really used after the initial recording?

Cheers for the help guys!!!

 

[msquared]

But thats good to hear, most of what happened on the laptop would be the actual recording, id then use my home PC to mixdown and master everything.

Are the plugins only really used after the initial recording?

If you're only recording and you're using a firewire drive, you can use pretty much any PIII or above to do it. The drive and drive bus are the real bottlenecks when it comes to recording. I was able to do 18 tracks at once with my PIII/500 and MOTU 828 to a firewire drive.

Plugins aren't used during recording except in some circumstances when you're also trying to use the rig as an effects unit.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

If you're only recording and you're using a firewire drive, you can use pretty much any PIII or above to do it. The drive and drive bus are the real bottlenecks when it comes to recording. I was able to do 18 tracks at once with my PIII/500 and MOTU 828 to a firewire drive.

Plugins aren't used during recording except in some circumstances when you're also trying to use the rig as an effects unit.

This is great news, means i dont need to worry about forking out silly amounts for a laptop that can record on the go!

+Ive found an external 320Gb Firewire HD for £110 new (western digital)

Cheers for the assist (for once talk bass may have saved me money )