I'm trying to buy a laptop and whatever other hardware I need to record music at home, and I would really appreciate some help. First off, I play piano as well as electronic instruments (synths, sampler, drum machine), so I'd like to be able to do both MIDI and digital recording. I'm pretty sure I want to get a Dell Inspiron 8000 configured at 850 MHz, 256 MB RAM, and 20 GB hard disk space, with a DVD drive and a CD-RW drive. For a recording interface, I'm thinking of getting this Roland UA-100 Sound Canvas USB device, that has 2 mic inputs, 2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outs, and stereo outs. I haven't decided on software yet - I was thinking Cakewalk, but I was also looking at Acid and I'm open to better suggestions. Does this make sense? Am I taking a good approach for what I want to do? Am I about to spend too much money? What software would you recommend? How hard is this going to be to make all this work together? I worry about being able to do this easily. I have a small amount of experience recording on analog 8-track machines, and I've seen people use Cakewalk. It seems easy enough to get started using the software, but then, I didn't actually have to set the system up...
-Peter DiCola, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Dell computer you're looking at will be more than adequate to get the job done. You should have no problems at all getting what you want done with that computer. The hard drive (20 GB) is plenty big enough, but also make sure it's fast enough. Hard drive speed can have a big impact on how many audio tracks you can do. A 7200 RPM drive is usually okay for about 16 tracks or so, but if you want to be able to do more tracks reliably (ESPECIALLY if you want to do high-res 24 bit recording), you'll need to have a 10,000 RPM SCSI drive. I know Dell has these available. These drives are a bit more expensive, but they're totally worth it with the performance you get. Now, you can do a good job with an inexpensive 7200 RPM IDE drive, but it's just not enough if you want to do a bunch of high-res audio tracks. Hard drive speed doesn't make much of a difference with MIDI tracks. Most computers can do a plethora of MIDI tracks easy, because the files are way, way smaller. As far as interfaces are concerned, I've never used the Roland, so I really can't comment too much on it. I have a friend who has the smaller UA-30, which he uses for live recording on a laptop. He's pretty happy with it. I would recommend any of Aardvark's products, mostly because they sound great, but also because the new DirectPro series interfaces are designed to be an all-in-one solution that would probably work out really well for what you want to do. The DirectPro 24/96 has four mic/line inputs (with quality mic preamps built in), six line outputs, digital I/O and MIDI I/O. It comes with DSP compressors, EQ and reverb built into it - controllable through software - so you don't have to mess with a bunch of outboard gear. Just plug in a mic and go. They also have the less-expensive LX6, which is basically the same thing minus the mic inputs and preamps. The M-Audio Omni I/O also looks like a really cool all-in-one interface that would probably do what you want too. There's a review of the Omni I/O and an Aardvark card in Tape Op #21. There are a lot of good cards out nowadays. Cakewalk is decent software. It's about the easiest thing to use for MIDI and it does a good job with audio too, but I would recommend Steinberg Cubase VST before this. Cubase does both audio and MIDI, like Cakewalk, but the performance is way beyond that of Cakewalk. Not only can it do MIDI, but it also supports "Virtual Instruments". These are software synths that live inside the program and take the place of normal sound modules. There's quite a few of cool ones out now and more are being added all the time. The sound quality of Cubase's audio is totally pro all the way, the latest version even includes something called "True Tape", which emulates analog tape saturation/compression during the recording process... it sounds cool! Cakewalk is pretty decent and can get the job done well, but Cubase is on a whole other level. Acid is an interesting program, but I don't think it does MIDI at all, at least not in the way Cakewalk or Cubase does it, and its really not meant for audio recording. So far, it looks like you've made good choices in equipment. I suggest you check out the websites for some of the products I've mentioned and compare them. Also, music stores can be helpful sometimes too, but you have to be careful that you're dealing with a salesman who knows what he's talking about. Compare everything carefully, and look for something that makes you feel comfortable, something that fits your style and how you like to do things. Just so you know, we use an Aardvark/Cubase combination at the studio I work at, and we've been totally pleased with it.
-Martin Chittum, Standard Recording Company, Swayzee, IN
The system you're thinking about makes sense for what you want to do. Some things to consider:
1. I haven't heard the greatest things about Dell, as far as reliability and tech support. You might want to consider having a computer custom built for you. It probably won't cost much more and you can have it stripped of all the stuff you're not gonna need. There are several companies making custom-built computers for musicians.
2. It seems like Cakewalk is more what you're looking for, as far as an integrated audio/MIDI program.
3. The system you have in mind doesn't seem like it would be too hard to get working BUT, if you have a computer for making music you WILL, at one point or another, be in computer hell. Just accept it now and try to remain calm when it happens.
-Scott Craggs, The Sound Lab, Boston. MA
I only have direct experience with Performer for the Mac. Many people use, and like, Cakewalk though. You can probably locate some users' groups on the web if you need assistance. The one recommendation I would make for any digital audio is to see if you can get a deal on an extra hard drive when you buy the computer. Use this drive only for audio file storage. Audio uses a good bit of memory and requires the drive space to be contiguous (one continuous block) in order to play back without glitches. Good luck.
-David Patterson
My first recommendation would be to go Mac based. That's a whole can of worms you probably don't want to get into since you might have a preference. Roland generally makes great quality gear, so I'm sure it's not a bad choice. I'm certain you will find far more people with the Digidesign Digi 001 or the MOTU 2408 with DigitalPerformer, both of which are reasonably priced and will suit you current needs and permit you to expand easily. There's always a learning curve when you get started and you will have a much easier time finding people who can help you if you go with the more common systems like the Digi 001 and the MOTU 2408. Also, both systems have ADAT lightpipe I/Os, which will permit you to use and ADAT as a data storage device and for data transfer. One scratch on a CD-R and everything is lost.
-Mike Caffrey, mosterisland.com
I'm kind of in the same boat myself although I just got the Digidesign Digi 001 which is a hard disk recording system that does have sequencing (it goes for around $799). I can't really tell you much about it, though, because I just got it days ago. I've got it loaded onto my computer but that's about it. I've fuddled around with it a little, but there is a big learning curve to be dealt with as I see so far. So this is the route that I decided to go, and I plan to incorporate a lot of sequencing and MIDI-related devices when using this particular set-up. I've heard that the sequencing program is quite bare bones, but I've also heard that it's supposed to work very well with separate sequencing programs - a la' Logic or whatever. My primary sequencer prior to this (and maybe still, for all I know) is an ancient Cakewalk program. But I know nothing of their HD recording system. The Digidesign set up does come with a "soundcard" of sorts. Actually, it's much more involved. The "soundcard" part that you attach to your computer has a SCSI connection and 2 lightpipe connections. 1 in, 1 out. The SCSI connects to an 8 in (with 2 being mic pre jacks up front), 8 out, rack-mountable box. Which also has MIDI in and MIDI out, amongst other connections. There's a plethora of info available about this thing on the internet, or your local Guitar Center is sure to have it.
-D. Matz, Two-Bit Productions, Darien, IL
I composed music that was all keyboard-based, with drum machine and some sounds added in. If you can get a simple analog system it is a good way to learn how to compose. For example a bass track can be put down first, then layered on. A drum track, or click track can be put on one track to time from. You can then add the parts of a piece and listen to the whole. It is really important to be able to learn timing and syncopation without a MIDI clock to control you. I would also worry more about finding your way composing before you get too complex. You can have four separate instruments on one track if they play at separate times on that track. You could have ten instruments on a piece recorded on a 4-track deck. Another thing is sound staging. There were MIDI-controlled eight in mixers that allowed you to control pan/volume note per note. What is the sound stage for your mix? It's better to work on all the sounds that you want to use and how to use them and how to use timing in a free form way before you give too much control to software. Once you know what your music is then you can get complex. Just putting four parts on a 4-track, then playing along can be complex as well as studying the parts. Also what is the path of your music? Do you have a road that you are going to travel with your music?
-George Rigney, AirPhonoGram, FlightAironline.com
What do you want to do? What's your budget - how much is too much money for you? Are you going to be satisfied with a maximum of only two audio inputs for recording? Have you done research on how good the converters in the Roland VA-100 sound? Have you done research on the stability of Windows/Cakewalk as a music production platform/program? I would investigate as many options as you can relative to your budget.
-Walt Szalva, San Francisco, CA
I went to "The Recording Workshop" 4 or 5 years ago. I knew nothing about computers when I started. I have been working as an audio engineer ever since, and I have learned a lot about computers. My favorite instrument is now a well-configured computer workstation. If you have confidence in your own intelligence you can learn to do anything you want. Sonic Foundry is keeping it quiet, but in the spring ACID 3.0 will be released and will add MIDI sequencing to its impressive capabilities. There isn't any package that has everything you will want and need as you progress. A computer is the most affordable way to build a personal studio. As you grow so do your needs, after a couple of years you could easily have $6000 in a workstation and still want more. For compositional purposes the computer will probably slow you down the first year. Once you get comfortable with a program like ACID, writing is a breeze. For my compositional work I mostly use ACID for drums and other percussion, I play the rest or solicit friends. I say this because many people think ACID is just for DJs and don't see it as a way to create new original music. I also design and configure computer workstations for Bowen Productions (www.bowenproductions.com). I develop custom manuals for the systems and offer solid tech support. We are not the cheap solution - we are an investment. If you don't want to experiment with hardware and software that can cost thousands of dollars, I recommend buying a system from Bowen Productions, Soundchaser or Wave Systems. AARDVARK has a new interface called the "Q10" which will be released in March. We will have new workstations using SGI computers, AARDVARK or Soundscape audio cards, Sonic Foundry software and WAVES plug-ins. Another option is to try a big music store (MARS/Guitar Center), most will have workstations with multiple programs ready for you to try. If you buy a Digi 001, buy a Macintosh not a PC (check the user group). The store option also depends on the competence of the stores employees. Ask many questions and listen for the truth. I worked part-time at a MARS in Indy which is a good way to learn, and get good deals on gear. The employees at these stores rotate every six months, so if you find someone who knows the gear, chances are they won't be there long.
-Rob Carpenter II, Bowen Productions, Chief Engineer, Multimedia Specialist
Check out the Digi 001 Pro Tools LE system. For $1000 you get a great 24-track studio with basic EQ, compression, limiting, gates and reverb. You can record up to 18 tracks at one time and you won't be flying audio in and out of different machines all the time. All the recording, mixing and editing stays in one place. Plus you can bring LE sessions into a studio that has the full Pro Tools system. That way you can keep great sounding demo guitar tracks and just add drums and vocals or whatever else. Or just do it all at home, mix it down and burn your own CDs. I have one at my studio and one at my house. They're fun systems.
-Graham Hick, Lunar Audio, Chicago,IL
