PC requirements

[Hanks1]

I'm looking to set up a pc/windows based system. I have a 750mhz Pentium 3, 128mb ram, 20 gig (7200rmp) internal drive, and I'm running windows 98 second edition. I realize that I will need to upgrade my ram and possibly attain an external drive to dedicate to audio. I was wandering if I would need to upgrade my cpu/processor as well. This is what I'm looking to do: 24 track playback, usually will only be recording 2 tracks at a time ( but possibly up to 8), will want to run reverb/effects on most tracks on playback. Below is a list of the items I am strongly concidering, I'm looking for any suggestions or comments about this set up. Thanks!

-Cubase VST/32
-MOTU 896 or 828
-GLYPH MProject
-autotune, a couple softsynths, etc..
-Midiman Midisport or MOTU fastlane usb
-also is there a firewire card you would recommend?

Thanks alot, Hanks1

[wrave]

Hi Hanks1. Sounds to me like you and I are doing similar things. I am fairly new to this HD recording but it sounds to me like your current PC is going to be able to handle most anything you say you want to do. I agree, you will want to add some memory probably although it is not an immediate necessity. Lots of software will run on what you already have. I have 256Mb on my machine and have not had any problems relating to memory so far. You would fill that 20Gb hard drive pretty fast so you are right to want to get more storage. I have two 20Gb drives installed in my machine and I will soon be replacing at least one and possibly both with larger drives.

Like I said, I am new to this stuff, have had a Digi001 system for about a year now. Getting into this has been lots of fun and I am experimenting a lot with all the toys available. I have bought some additional software just to see what some of this stuff does but I rely on the ProTools that came with the Digi001 for audio recording. The Digi001 can handle your 8 inputs if you need them and for somebody like me, it's a great introduction into PC recording. The hardware, the IO interface and the software bundled together make it simple for someone starting out. Of course, there are lots of "bundles" out there to choose from.

In the last year I have learned a lot and still have lots more to learn. Initially I bought a good quality sterio condenser mic and plugged the monitor outs from the Digi001 into my sterio CD player for monitoring. What I am looking at now are monitors and microphones. I think I know enough now to justify the additional expense for the monitors and I am sure that a better quality mic or two will give me more options when I am recording. My system is growing and yours will as well.

And, if you do like I have done and decide to take a look at Acid or add any software processing (plugins) you will find that that 20Gb HD gets small, even if all you load on it are system files and applications. So I guess I am saying get as much memory and HD space as you can at the beginning, The more the better. Have fun and good luck!

[Hanks1]

Thanks alot for your response. I've contacted both Steinberg and MOTU to ask what kind of performance I can expect from my system. Both were quite unhelpful, unfortunately. What kind of sytem are you running your Digi 001 on? Mac, Pc? I'm just trying to get a feel for what I should expect as far as number of tracks and real time effects.

Thanks, Hanks1

[atma]

you know, it really depends on what soft synths and fx you'll be running. i have a 1ghz pc with 256 mb ram, and my system can get seriously bogged down just playing back 4 tracks because i'll have some very cpu intensive soft synths and fx running on each channel. it might be a good idea to just get some demo software of the fx/plugins/synths you intend to run and just see how the pc takes it. if it can't handle it in the end, then you can upgrade your cpu/motherboard. The newer processors like a 1.6 ghz should surely be able to handle what you're looking to do if your current setup cannot.

[Hanks1]

Thanks for your input! I'll probably go ahead with the system and see how it goes. I can always upgrade my cpu later. It's hard to believe that we have processors running at 2 gig already! I will probably use a soft synth, but only one stereo track per song.

Thanks again, I'm still open for suggestions if anyone else has some.

Hanks1

[Gill_Boyd]

Gents,
DAW Minimum System Requirements are currrenty P3-500; 128 Megs RAM.

I agree, more RAM. HD's are very affordable. Suggest 40 to 60 GB Boot HD & Same for 2nd Audio Drive. 3rd drive maybe 80 GB plus. Depends upon your needs.

I'm curious as to what M/B & chipset each of you are using. The Digi001 was very chipset specific when we looked into that originally. And what O/S version?

Thanks for your help.

[MuZiKUnHeRd]

Hi folks,

What you have is fine to start with. 128mb of ram is ok. Notice how i said ok. You can have that much and get around fine, but there's gonna be instances where you're gonna need to use extensive amounts of ram and 128 mb of ram isn't too extensive. PC parts are cheap these days might as well go for what you feel comfortable with the first time and not have to worry about anything. As for my set-up i have 640mb of ram, 1.3gig o' ram, 20gig hard drive for boot and programs and a 40 gig 7200rpm for audio. Aardvark Direct Pro LX-6, Cubase VST/32, Wavelab 3.0, Acid Pro 2.0, Antares Auto-Tune (a great time saving program, that's it! Remember, it's not a miracle worker), Antares Mic Modelor, various soft synths, Waves Gold Bundle and the list goes on. As you can see i haven't even listed half of everything my computer has and everything i listed as far as computer specs holds well. I even have Steinberg's Halion and with the amount of ram i have, i don't ever have a hiccup (i'm knocking on wood right now!). Software samplers need alot of ram. But if i don't have any kind of sampling going on i don't ever get close to using 640 mb o' ram. I've yet to pass 400mb of ram being used up...

So with that said, i'd say 256mb of ram and a gig of processing if you want a speedy computer (not a necessity), and 2 hard drives (this is a must, especially if you use your computer for more than audio) and a nice sound card with audio/midi capabilities would be the requirements for a solid PC setup.

Also, i agree that (although i haven't switched yet) Windows 98se is the most secure. Right now i'm running ME and every once in a while there's a glitch. Nothing serious. I think it's more in the hardware you have more than anything.