[tellmycaster]

Just out of curiosity...
What are everyones thoughts on protools?
I didnt see that named dropped in here. And it seems like less people are using it these days.
Am I wrong?

[ShimmerAndSpill]

What are some good laptops that I can look at just for basic home recordings?

[SeeYouSeptember]

What is the recommended sequencer? I've been looking into a few and I can't decide.

[Esrb99]

Originally Posted by tellmycaster

Just out of curiosity...
What are everyones thoughts on protools?
I didnt see that named dropped in here. And it seems like less people are using it these days.
Am I wrong?

personally, I've never used protools; while it and wave are the 'industry standards,' Protools locks you in with proprietary equipment, and pre-approved plugins at times. I shy away from that (Weird, as I use a mac to record, which is like the digidesign of computers!!!)

Originally Posted by ShimmerAndSpill

What are some good laptops that I can look at just for basic home recordings?

Not trying to bash pc's here, but get a mac. Preferably a Macbook Pro. Pc's have WAY too many variations among manufacturers and parts, so you may be spending lots of time just trying to get hardware interfaces and midi stuff trying to just WORK with your computer. now, if you were getting a desktop, that would be different, as you could better control the components in your machine, but I digress... Most major recording gear and software works with macs, and as macs come in usually one way, with one specific set of parts, Mac drivers and support for them is much easier.

think of it like this; while a pc laptop may be inexpensive, you'll lose valuable recording time messing with drivers if you're unlucky, and you'll have to be more cautious about security and feature updates from both windows and software manufacturers. With a Mac, it's generally made for the hardware in it, seein as apple gets parts from no more than 2 vendors for a certain item in their machines. much easier to make drivers for.

Originally Posted by SeeYouSeptember

What is the recommended sequencer? I've been looking into a few and I can't decide.

same with the protools above; most sequencers are equally useable- the biggest difference nowadays is the power behind the built in plugins and loops, and how much you get, both of which are usually not something to write home about. essentially then you are paying for ease of use and familiarity with the thing, looks.
I chose to use Apple's Logic 8 because the box was hefty, and it was made for my machine. little/no compatibility issues. I also run komplete 5 and sonar Cakewalk from time to time if needed.

[ShimmerAndSpill]

Originally Posted by Esrb99

Not trying to bash pc's here, but get a mac. Preferably a Macbook Pro. Pc's have WAY too many variations among manufacturers and parts, so you may be spending lots of time just trying to get hardware interfaces and midi stuff trying to just WORK with your computer. now, if you were getting a desktop, that would be different, as you could better control the components in your machine, but I digress... Most major recording gear and software works with macs, and as macs come in usually one way, with one specific set of parts, Mac drivers and support for them is much easier.

think of it like this; while a pc laptop may be inexpensive, you'll lose valuable recording time messing with drivers if you're unlucky, and you'll have to be more cautious about security and feature updates from both windows and software manufacturers. With a Mac, it's generally made for the hardware in it, seein as apple gets parts from no more than 2 vendors for a certain item in their machines. much easier to make drivers for.

I do know that macs are better for recording, but unfortunately I might have to go with a PC just because I can get it cheaper. And I'm goinig to use it mostly for simple recordings that I'll do out of my college dorm. I'm just trying to get a basic projection of the stuff I'm going to need to start buying in the next few months.

[Esrb99]

Originally Posted by ShimmerAndSpill

I do know that macs are better for recording, but unfortunately I might have to go with a PC just because I can get it cheaper. And I'm goinig to use it mostly for simple recordings that I'll do out of my college dorm. I'm just trying to get a basic projection of the stuff I'm going to need to start buying in the next few months.

get Cakewalk then as your sequencer/DAW. get a cheap usb audio interface, a mic or two, and you're set!!!

[Tristan Needler]

Originally Posted by tellmycaster

Just out of curiosity...
What are everyones thoughts on protools?
I didnt see that named dropped in here. And it seems like less people are using it these days.
Am I wrong?

I've never used it. I've heard it's not as good as the others for MIDI, but that was a while ago and things constantly change.

Originally Posted by ShimmerAndSpill

What are some good laptops that I can look at just for basic home recordings?

Lots of ram, fast processor. I never had a single compatibility issue, but some people do. Just make sure to choose a laptop/interface combination that is known to work. Pay attention to things like mother board chipsets, sometimes things don't work out. I never thought about any of that stuff, and I never had a problem, but who knows?

IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads are great computers though. Don't let anyone tell you that they're only for businessmen, because that's a crock. A few years ago, I was told that they were one of the few PC laptops that ProTools certified as good to use. Do you have a budget? Because I know Lenovo's can be pricey.

Macs are not necessarily better, just easier to not screw up.

Originally Posted by Esrb99

get Cakewalk then as your sequencer/DAW. get a cheap usb audio interface, a mic or two, and you're set!!!

I prefer Cubase to Sonar by a mile. I haven't used any other Cakewalk software though. Why do you say Cakewalk? I've seen most people say Cubase.

[Esrb99]

Originally Posted by Tristan Needler

I've never used it. I've heard it's not as good as the others for MIDI, but that was a while ago and things constantly change.

Lots of ram, fast processor. I never had a single compatibility issue, but some people do. Just make sure to choose a laptop/interface combination that is known to work. Pay attention to things like mother board chipsets, sometimes things don't work out. I never thought about any of that stuff, and I never had a problem, but who knows?

IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads are great computers though. Don't let anyone tell you that they're only for businessmen, because that's a crock. A few years ago, I was told that they were one of the few PC laptops that ProTools certified as good to use. Do you have a budget? Because I know Lenovo's can be pricey.

Macs are not necessarily better, just easier to not screw up.

I prefer Cubase to Sonar by a mile. I haven't used any other Cakewalk software though. Why do you say Cakewalk? I've seen most people say Cubase.

haha cause I got it.

I was 15 and saved up paperboy money, and if a 15 year old can figure it out, shan't be too hard for someone to... a DAW is very intimidating upon a first look.

[Tristan Needler]

Originally Posted by Esrb99

haha cause I got it.

I was 15 and saved up paperboy money, and if a 15 year old can figure it out, shan't be too hard for someone to... a DAW is very intimidating upon a first look.

I won't deny that. The way I learned mine was by only learning the super basic stuff, then whenever I thought "hey, I wonder if I can do that..." I'd look it up. I've read through the manual a bunch of times now, but I still haven't 100% remembered everything. I won't touch the sample editor, for example. I've got all the important stuff though. I've never needed to edit a sample. All my stuff came with "get started" manuals as well as the real manuals. Those definitely help for getting a fee for the basics before going in depth.

[Esrb99]

Originally Posted by Tristan Needler

I won't deny that. The way I learned mine was by only learning the super basic stuff, then whenever I thought "hey, I wonder if I can do that..." I'd look it up. I've read through the manual a bunch of times now, but I still haven't 100% remembered everything. I won't touch the sample editor, for example. I've got all the important stuff though. I've never needed to edit a sample. All my stuff came with "get started" manuals as well as the real manuals. Those definitely help for getting a fee for the basics before going in depth.

I LOVE the sample editor on vocals... soo good for pops from voices, and extra breaths.

haha, I remember installing it, and refusing to look at the manual. for two weeks I had my 12 channel shit mixer hooked up to it via 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, left channel only, and was wondering why it wouldn't record it.

then I learned about arming a track.

good times.

[TimT]

Bit of a technical question...I've just bought a Behringer Xenyx 1204FX mixer, which came with the UC2000 USB Audio Interface, that basically just connects to the mixers cd/tape out via 2 x RCA cables. The problem I am having at the moment is that I can get sound into the mixer fine, I can record fine, but even though the output RCA's on the interface are hooked up to the mixer's CD/Tape In, I can't hear any playback from the computer through my headphones, connected to the mixers 'phones' jack. As far as I can tell I am doing everything right in terms of channels and connections, so I am thinking it might be a software/operating system thing. I am running Vista atm. Anyone have any idea what I can do to fix this?

[Esrb99]

the interface is plugged into the 'outs' on the board only right?

if you want to hear what you recorded back from the pc, your interface needs a headphone or audio jack on it, or you need to send a 1/4, 1/8, or stereo rca's back to the mixer via some kind of input, but that waay is kinda iffy. I suggest getting a better interface with an actual headphone jack (Not too expensive, less than $100.

btw, doing MAJOR upgrades to my setup this week/weekend... will post before and after pics once I get all the shiny new(and in some cases, old) gear in the mail. im excited.

[floormaster925]

anyone else having problems with cubase (Lambada interface) and korg nanokey?

[TimT]

Originally Posted by Esrb99

the interface is plugged into the 'outs' on the board only right?

if you want to hear what you recorded back from the pc, your interface needs a headphone or audio jack on it, or you need to send a 1/4, 1/8, or stereo rca's back to the mixer via some kind of input, but that waay is kinda iffy. I suggest getting a better interface with an actual headphone jack (Not too expensive, less than $100.

btw, doing MAJOR upgrades to my setup this week/weekend... will post before and after pics once I get all the shiny new(and in some cases, old) gear in the mail. im excited.

I'm sure your new setup will work out better than mine has lol.

Basically I have done it the iffy way, plugged the RCA outs from the audio interface into the CD/TAPE in on the mixer. In the instruction manual it says that if you then press the CD/TAPE to phones/control room out button, you should be able to monitor your computers output along with the main mix. I figured out that the output is there, but its so fucking quiet that even with the volume turned waaaay up all you get is a whisper. So pretty much i need to find a way to boost that signal.

[Esrb99]

Originally Posted by TimT

I'm sure your new setup will work out better than mine has lol.

Basically I have done it the iffy way, plugged the RCA outs from the audio interface into the CD/TAPE in on the mixer. In the instruction manual it says that if you then press the CD/TAPE to phones/control room out button, you should be able to monitor your computers output along with the main mix. I figured out that the output is there, but its so fucking quiet that even with the volume turned waaaay up all you get is a whisper. So pretty much i need to find a way to boost that signal.

you need some kind of headphone preamp to boost the signal, either between the rc and mixer or headphone jack and mixer. possibly at the latter.

you'd need something like this: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ier?sku=180208

however, I suggest scrapping that interface altogether (RCA? really?) and getting a better one w/ a built in headphone output.

this is a sweet buy: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ct?sku=242192V

if you're willing to go mixer-less, and/or want to have control of editing each individual drum track, this is your best bet as far as interfaces go, at least in the budget level: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ct?sku=184131V


hope this helps!