Home » The PARIS Forums » PARIS: Main » Laptop Recording Question
Laptop Recording Question [message #88743] |
Sun, 05 August 2007 14:58 |
Neil
Messages: 1645 Registered: April 2006
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Senior Member |
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I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
#1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
#2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
base" DAW. Thoughts?
#3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
#4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
#5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
laptops! LOL! :)
Thx upfront.
Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88748 is a reply to message #88743] |
Sun, 05 August 2007 18:31 |
DJ
Messages: 1124 Registered: July 2005
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Senior Member |
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Neil,
I've got an RME cardbus here I'll loan you. I don't have the cable though.
I'm not using it at the moment so if you want it, just let me know. Thad
recently posted about a a cheapo ACER laptop that worked nicely with (I
think) the RME cardbus and LIVE once the OS was gutted and a minimal
reinstall was done to lose all the proprietary crap.
Deej
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:46b647f8$1@linux...
>
> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
> laptops! LOL! :)
>
> Thx upfront.
>
> Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88749 is a reply to message #88743] |
Sun, 05 August 2007 19:43 |
Chris Ludwig
Messages: 868 Registered: May 2006
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Senior Member |
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HI Neil,
No current or future laptops will have card bus. Any companies that
still sell them are selling EOL hardware. The ACER model is the only I
know of recently that had a reliable card bus controller. RME will have
the express card for the Multiface/Digiface in the fall. There are no
duel express slots on a laptop. just a single. Most people are using the
express to add a 2 port SATA II controller. So you can add 2 500 gig
70meg/sec drives to your laptop and record at high sample rates all you
want.
Fire fire is still the best solution for the laptop at this point.
A Fireface 800 combined with a Presonus Digimax FS will give you 16
channels of 88.2k At 44.1/48k you can have an additional Digimax FS for
24 channels.
Oh and the laptop we most commonly do for this is costs $1700.00 and is
based on the current Intel chipset with a Core2 Duo T7300 CPU, 2 gigs
DDR667 ram, 100 7200 sata OS drive, 8xDVDRW, 15" 1280x800 LCD, Nvidia
8400 256 meg video, TI fire wire chipset, XP Pro, 3 year warranty, life
time tech support.
LOL
Chris
Neil wrote:
> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
> laptops! LOL! :)
>
> Thx upfront.
>
> Neil
>
--
Chris Ludwig
ADK
chrisl@adkproaudio.com <mailto:chrisl@adkproaudio.com>
www.adkproaudio.com <http://www.adkproaudio.com/>
(859) 635-5762
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88750 is a reply to message #88743] |
Sun, 05 August 2007 20:10 |
gene lennon
Messages: 565 Registered: July 2006
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Senior Member |
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Any laptop that can handle 20 plus tracks at high sample rates will be an
expensive setup. I know because I have one.
I would look for a used Alesis HD24XR. Should be around $1600 used. The HD24XR
can dependably handle 24 tracks at 96 and has good sounding converters. Sell
it when you are done for what you paid for it.
If you move down to 24/44.1 your inexpensive laptop idea will probably work.
Gene
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
>#1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
>lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
>#2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
>#3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
>#4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>#5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>laptops! LOL! :)
>
>Thx upfront.
>
>Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88761 is a reply to message #88756] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 00:47 |
Neil
Messages: 1645 Registered: April 2006
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Senior Member |
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While I would LIKE to stick with 88.2k (you know me by now,
it's a resolution thang), I don't necessarily have to for this
series of recordings.. like i said, it's live, it's going to be
in a place that really probably sucks bigtime acoustically, as
it was originally designed to be a warehouse, not a soundstage
or even a club - i think the long side is going to be well over
200 feet, from what I gather (I might get to go see & hear the
place with a band practicing in it tomorrow - will know more
then, if that occurs... at least i'll get an idea of the sound
of the place, minus the crowd), so it's going to be a
challenge no matter what, but I would like to give myself every
advantage. If the advantage comes down to 88.2k with as many
tracks as I need, then that would be great - if the advantage
comes down to the economics of 44.1k with as many tracks as I
can muster that will still give me good separation & isolation,
then that might just be the way to go, too. Ya know?
Either way, I don't think that 1616 would cut it... not enough
inputs, irrespective of the samplerate.
Neil
>Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote:
>The other issue is I think Neil wants to stick to 88.2 sampling rate.
>Didn't Emu have a 1616 with the Digidesign convertors in it that were
>supposed to sound pretty good? AH, yes... here it is:
>
>http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616M
>
>AA
>
>
>"Gene Lennon" <glennon@NOSPmyrealbox.com> wrote in message
>news:46b6a7d2$1@linux...
>>
>> "They only do 12 channels at 96k, though..."
>>
>> Right - My bad.
>>
>> XR new for 1600? Around 1900 is the best I've seen.
>>
>> Gene
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Graham Duncan <graham@grahamduncan.com> wrote:
>>>HD24XRs can be purchased new for around $1600 at a few dealers. They
>>>only do 12 channels at 96k, though...
>>>
>>>Graham
>>>
>>>Gene Lennon wrote:
>>>> Any laptop that can handle 20 plus tracks at high sample rates will
be
>> an
>>>> expensive setup. I know because I have one.
>>>>
>>>> I would look for a used Alesis HD24XR. Should be around $1600 used.
The
>> HD24XR
>>>> can dependably handle 24 tracks at 96 and has good sounding converters.
>> Sell
>>>> it when you are done for what you paid for it.
>>>>
>>>> If you move down to 24/44.1 your inexpensive laptop idea will probably
>> work.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Gene
>>
>
>
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88762 is a reply to message #88749] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 00:55 |
Neil
Messages: 1645 Registered: April 2006
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Senior Member |
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Chris Ludwig <chrisl@adkproaudio.com> wrote:
>
>HI Neil,
>
>No current or future laptops will have card bus. Any companies
>that still sell them are selling EOL hardware.
So you're saying if I want to buy an RME PCMCIA cardbus
interface, I'd have to pair that with an older laptop,
regardless???
If that's the case, then Firewire seems to be the no-brainer
solution here with regard to laptop multitracking, yes?
And BTW, I would love to be able to patronize you for one of
your (not $3,000, but $1,700) laptops, but you know that's
still a little steep for a soundgathering-only solution, right?
I mean if I were looking for a robust purpose-built laptop that
would enable me to do mixing & everything on there, that'd be a
different story, knowwhatahmean?
Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88764 is a reply to message #88762] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 06:59 |
Chris Ludwig
Messages: 868 Registered: May 2006
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Senior Member |
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Hi Neil,
Neil wrote:
> Chris Ludwig <chrisl@adkproaudio.com> wrote:
>
>> HI Neil,
>>
>> No current or future laptops will have card bus. Any companies
>> that still sell them are selling EOL hardware.
>>
>
> So you're saying if I want to buy an RME PCMCIA cardbus
> interface, I'd have to pair that with an older laptop,
> regardless???
>
Yes
> If that's the case, then Firewire seems to be the no-brainer
> solution here with regard to laptop multitracking, yes?
>
yes
> And BTW, I would love to be able to patronize you for one of
> your (not $3,000, but $1,700) laptops, but you know that's
> still a little steep for a soundgathering-only solution, right?
> I mean if I were looking for a robust purpose-built laptop that
> would enable me to do mixing & everything on there, that'd be a
> different story, knowwhatahmean?
>
Yes I know but figured I mention a machine that can do allot more than
just record some tracks. Heck when not using for live you could alway
use it for VSTi or effect processing and such.:)
If all you plan on doing with forever is record some shows then you
would be looking at $1300 - $1500 range for a machine that can be
upgraded later. You will need to be careful with some of the ultra cheap
laptops. They tend to be like the ultra cheap desktops in that they will
have a limited upgrade path and tend use very low quality components.
If all you ever want to do is record some gigs then the Alesis HD
recorder is a good option but size wise isn't much different than using
a Mid-Tower desktop.
> Neil
>
Chris
--
Chris Ludwig
ADK
chrisl@adkproaudio.com <mailto:chrisl@adkproaudio.com>
www.adkproaudio.com <http://www.adkproaudio.com/>
(859) 635-5762
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88765 is a reply to message #88762] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 07:29 |
Dedric Terry
Messages: 788 Registered: June 2007
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Senior Member |
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Neil, fwiw, I recently got an HP Pavilion 6426us laptop - core 2 duo with
120G drive and 1G ram for $799 and it runs great. I haven't multitracked a
gig, but have run full res DV video and audio for a corporate conference to
large screen projectors (desktop clone via a media presentation app) and it
performed flawlessly for two days straight - all off of the system drive no
less (and a cheap USB audio interface too running audio playback as I
couldn't tear my Fireface out of my studio due to other project
deadlines)... and on Win Vista. Once the MidiOverLan guys get the Vista
installer fixed I'm planning to run sync'd video off of it via Chaingang in
the studio.
Cubase 4 actually runs fine on Vista, though I haven't tested it. I can't
attest to using it for your intended purpose, or doing multitrack 88.2k, but
fwiw...
All that to say, you really don't have to go uber-DAW with the laptop to get
solid performance, even if it doesn't hurt to do so. The HPs do have a TI
chipset for firewire, which was a requirement for me. Firewire would be
your best bet for 88.2k rather than trying to get a PCMCIA laptop.
Dedric
On 8/6/07 1:55 AM, in article 46b6d3ec$1@linux, "Neil" <lOIUOIU@OI.com>
wrote:
>
> Chris Ludwig <chrisl@adkproaudio.com> wrote:
>>
>> HI Neil,
>>
>> No current or future laptops will have card bus. Any companies
>> that still sell them are selling EOL hardware.
>
> So you're saying if I want to buy an RME PCMCIA cardbus
> interface, I'd have to pair that with an older laptop,
> regardless???
>
> If that's the case, then Firewire seems to be the no-brainer
> solution here with regard to laptop multitracking, yes?
>
> And BTW, I would love to be able to patronize you for one of
> your (not $3,000, but $1,700) laptops, but you know that's
> still a little steep for a soundgathering-only solution, right?
> I mean if I were looking for a robust purpose-built laptop that
> would enable me to do mixing & everything on there, that'd be a
> different story, knowwhatahmean?
>
> Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question/Macintosh Pro [message #88771 is a reply to message #88743] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 11:21 |
tonehouse
Messages: 184 Registered: July 2006
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Senior Member |
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Anybody sprung the $3,100 for the MacBook Pro? (YIKES) It seems good,but
then you have to buy software,and some sort of interface. Anybody got the
$600 Apogee card for laptop? Also,anybody have success running Windows,as an
app, on a Mac?
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:46b647f8$1@linux...
>
> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
> laptops! LOL! :)
>
> Thx upfront.
>
> Neil
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Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88773 is a reply to message #88743] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 12:36 |
TCB
Messages: 1261 Registered: July 2007
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Senior Member |
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Hey Neil,
I have a complete piece of crap ACER that has cardbus for my RME interface.
I don't do high track counts but it works great with a vanilla XP install.
One thing to be careful about--I have has some pretty serious problems shoehorning
XP on laptops that come with Vista. It's always been possible, but usually
fairly unpleasant.
Another option to consider would be one of these.
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/ped ge_860?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
Not terribly expensive and reasonably portable.
TCB
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
>#1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
>lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
>#2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
>#3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
>#4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>#5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>laptops! LOL! :)
>
>Thx upfront.
>
>Neil
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question/Macintosh Pro [message #88776 is a reply to message #88771] |
Mon, 06 August 2007 14:08 |
Jamie K
Messages: 1115 Registered: July 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
For audio work you should be fine with a Macbook for under $1500. If you
want the MacBook Pro, you could get the least expensive one for about $2K.
Despite that, I'm still thinking about the top end 17" model due to the
optional HiDef display - mine would be a video editing and
graphics/animation machine as well as an audio box. But I'm waiting for
LED backlighting (the 17" HiDef model is the only Macbook Pro that
doesn't have LED backlighting yet).
For running MSWindows as a virtual machine under MacOSX you have several
choices: Parallels and VMWare are commercial options, and VirtualBox is
an open source option. Or you can use Apple's Boot Camp to reboot into
another OS if you don't need it to run at the same time. (I haven't used
any of them - I'm running software natively under OSX.)
Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com
tonehouse wrote:
> Anybody sprung the $3,100 for the MacBook Pro? (YIKES) It seems good,but
> then you have to buy software,and some sort of interface. Anybody got the
> $600 Apogee card for laptop? Also,anybody have success running Windows,as an
> app, on a Mac?
> "Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:46b647f8$1@linux...
>> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>>
>> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
>> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>>
>> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>>
>> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>>
>> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>>
>> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>> laptops! LOL! :)
>>
>> Thx upfront.
>>
>> Neil
>
>
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question/Macintosh Pro [message #88807 is a reply to message #88776] |
Tue, 07 August 2007 13:11 |
Steve Helm
Messages: 37 Registered: April 2006
|
Member |
|
|
I'm using Logic Pro on a MBP 2.33Ghz 17" with 3GB RAM, 100GB SATA internal
(OS/apps) and external firewire (audio). DVI out to a 21" for dual display.
Blue tooth mouse. Firewire to Metric Halo 2882+DSP MIO, Mackie Control,
XT, and C4. It is great to have P&G flying faders and work nearly free of
keyboard and mouse.
Everything is solid, no lockups, great plugins, and instruments. And I love
the built-in convolution reverb Space Designer.
I'm sure one could run a comparable setup but with a Macbook instead of the
Pro. Slower CPU and less RAM limits how many simultaneous hungry plugs one
runs.
So for a modest mix an Intel MB would do fine. Also Logic can freeze tracks
if one runs out of CPU. Metric Halo MIO is quite mobile and works great for
live gigs etc.
Highly recommended.
Jamie K <Meta@Dimensional.com> wrote:
>
>For audio work you should be fine with a Macbook for under $1500. If you
>want the MacBook Pro, you could get the least expensive one for about $2K.
>
>Despite that, I'm still thinking about the top end 17" model due to the
>optional HiDef display - mine would be a video editing and
>graphics/animation machine as well as an audio box. But I'm waiting for
> LED backlighting (the 17" HiDef model is the only Macbook Pro that
>doesn't have LED backlighting yet).
>
>For running MSWindows as a virtual machine under MacOSX you have several
>choices: Parallels and VMWare are commercial options, and VirtualBox is
>an open source option. Or you can use Apple's Boot Camp to reboot into
>another OS if you don't need it to run at the same time. (I haven't used
>any of them - I'm running software natively under OSX.)
>
>Cheers,
> -Jamie
> www.JamieKrutz.com
>
>
>tonehouse wrote:
>> Anybody sprung the $3,100 for the MacBook Pro? (YIKES) It seems good,but
>> then you have to buy software,and some sort of interface. Anybody got
the
>> $600 Apogee card for laptop? Also,anybody have success running Windows,as
an
>> app, on a Mac?
>> "Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:46b647f8$1@linux...
>>> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>>> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>>> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>>> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>>> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>>> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>>> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>>> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>>> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>>> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>>> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>>> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>>> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>>>
>>> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>>> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>>> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>>> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>>> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>>> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
>>> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>>> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>>> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>>> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>>> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>>> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>>>
>>> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>>> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>>> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>>> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>>> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>>> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>>> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>>> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>>>
>>> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>>> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>>> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>>>
>>> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>>>
>>> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>>> laptops! LOL! :)
>>>
>>> Thx upfront.
>>>
>>> Neil
>>
>>
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question/Macintosh Pro [message #88808 is a reply to message #88807] |
Tue, 07 August 2007 13:28 |
Steve Helm
Messages: 37 Registered: April 2006
|
Member |
|
|
And the new Mac mini and iMac pricing announced today offers even cheaper
options than the Mac laptops.
http://store.apple.com/
"Steve Helm" <shelm@radford.edu> wrote:
>
>I'm using Logic Pro on a MBP 2.33Ghz 17" with 3GB RAM, 100GB SATA internal
>(OS/apps) and external firewire (audio). DVI out to a 21" for dual display.
>Blue tooth mouse. Firewire to Metric Halo 2882+DSP MIO, Mackie Control,
>XT, and C4. It is great to have P&G flying faders and work nearly free of
>keyboard and mouse.
>
>Everything is solid, no lockups, great plugins, and instruments. And I love
>the built-in convolution reverb Space Designer.
>
>I'm sure one could run a comparable setup but with a Macbook instead of
the
>Pro. Slower CPU and less RAM limits how many simultaneous hungry plugs one
>runs.
>
>So for a modest mix an Intel MB would do fine. Also Logic can freeze tracks
>if one runs out of CPU. Metric Halo MIO is quite mobile and works great
for
>live gigs etc.
>
>Highly recommended.
>
>
>Jamie K <Meta@Dimensional.com> wrote:
>>
>>For audio work you should be fine with a Macbook for under $1500. If you
>
>>want the MacBook Pro, you could get the least expensive one for about $2K.
>>
>>Despite that, I'm still thinking about the top end 17" model due to the
>
>>optional HiDef display - mine would be a video editing and
>>graphics/animation machine as well as an audio box. But I'm waiting for
>
>> LED backlighting (the 17" HiDef model is the only Macbook Pro that
>>doesn't have LED backlighting yet).
>>
>>For running MSWindows as a virtual machine under MacOSX you have several
>
>>choices: Parallels and VMWare are commercial options, and VirtualBox is
>
>>an open source option. Or you can use Apple's Boot Camp to reboot into
>>another OS if you don't need it to run at the same time. (I haven't used
>
>>any of them - I'm running software natively under OSX.)
>>
>>Cheers,
>> -Jamie
>> www.JamieKrutz.com
>>
>>
>>tonehouse wrote:
>>> Anybody sprung the $3,100 for the MacBook Pro? (YIKES) It seems good,but
>>> then you have to buy software,and some sort of interface. Anybody got
>the
>>> $600 Apogee card for laptop? Also,anybody have success running Windows,as
>an
>>> app, on a Mac?
>>> "Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:46b647f8$1@linux...
>>>> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>>>> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>>>> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>>>> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>>>> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>>>> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>>>> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>>>> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>>>> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>>>> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>>>> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>>>> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>>>> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>>>>
>>>> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>>>> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>>>> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>>>> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>>>> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>>>> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
>>>> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>>>> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>>>> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>>>> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>>>> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>>>> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>>>>
>>>> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>>>> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>>>> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>>>> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>>>> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>>>> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>>>> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>>>> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>>>>
>>>> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>>>> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>>>> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>>>>
>>>> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>>>> laptops! LOL! :)
>>>>
>>>> Thx upfront.
>>>>
>>>> Neil
>>>
>>>
>
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88959 is a reply to message #88743] |
Tue, 14 August 2007 05:33 |
Bill L
Messages: 766 Registered: August 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I put together a rig for live recording of Chick Corea. We used a new
Mac laptop (2005) and RME boxes on PCMCIA (don't recall the model) out
via ADAT to AD16X plus a MOTU 8 in box for the less important stuff.
Firewire was not possible. I kind of think 24 tracks of 88.2 won't fly
either, but if you cut the number of tracks, it might. We had Dave
Weckl's kit to handle so we needed max inputs.
We thought about bringing pres but for ease of shipping and simplicity
we took it off the board inserts by plugging in part way. I made the
whole rig: rack, cables and all, fit in a hard Samsonite, if I do say so
myself. Worked like a dream.
Neil wrote:
> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>
> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4
> lightpipe ins at that frequency - might be bare minimum for
> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>
> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>
> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>
> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
> laptops! LOL! :)
>
> Thx upfront.
>
> Neil
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88976 is a reply to message #88959] |
Tue, 14 August 2007 16:02 |
Aaron Allen
Messages: 1988 Registered: May 2008
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Bill, do you know if Weckl is still using the yamaha digital (01r last I'd
heard) mixer to submix his kit on his solo gigs?
AA
"Bill L" <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote in message news:46c1a339@linux...
>I put together a rig for live recording of Chick Corea. We used a new Mac
>laptop (2005) and RME boxes on PCMCIA (don't recall the model) out via ADAT
>to AD16X plus a MOTU 8 in box for the less important stuff. Firewire was
>not possible. I kind of think 24 tracks of 88.2 won't fly either, but if
>you cut the number of tracks, it might. We had Dave Weckl's kit to handle
>so we needed max inputs.
>
> We thought about bringing pres but for ease of shipping and simplicity we
> took it off the board inserts by plugging in part way. I made the whole
> rig: rack, cables and all, fit in a hard Samsonite, if I do say so myself.
> Worked like a dream.
>
> Neil wrote:
>> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>>
>> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4 lightpipe ins at
>> that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>>
>> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>>
>> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>>
>> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>>
>> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>> laptops! LOL! :)
>>
>> Thx upfront.
>>
>> Neil
|
|
|
Re: Laptop Recording Question [message #88978 is a reply to message #88976] |
Tue, 14 August 2007 19:11 |
Bill L
Messages: 766 Registered: August 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I would assume so. He uses it with Chick. If I recall it's an 01V96 now.
Aaron Allen wrote:
> Bill, do you know if Weckl is still using the yamaha digital (01r last I'd
> heard) mixer to submix his kit on his solo gigs?
>
> AA
>
>
> "Bill L" <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote in message news:46c1a339@linux...
>> I put together a rig for live recording of Chick Corea. We used a new Mac
>> laptop (2005) and RME boxes on PCMCIA (don't recall the model) out via ADAT
>> to AD16X plus a MOTU 8 in box for the less important stuff. Firewire was
>> not possible. I kind of think 24 tracks of 88.2 won't fly either, but if
>> you cut the number of tracks, it might. We had Dave Weckl's kit to handle
>> so we needed max inputs.
>>
>> We thought about bringing pres but for ease of shipping and simplicity we
>> took it off the board inserts by plugging in part way. I made the whole
>> rig: rack, cables and all, fit in a hard Samsonite, if I do say so myself.
>> Worked like a dream.
>>
>> Neil wrote:
>>> I might have the opportunity to do a series of live recordings
>>> here coming up the near future, and if I do end up doing these,
>>> I would want to do them in CubaseSX for ease of importation to
>>> the "home base" for mixdown. They'll all be multitracked to the
>>> best of my ability to mic them (or to take direct outs or
>>> submixes off the board, if possible... I'm guessing "not
>>> possible" for the most part) in the live environment, so I'm
>>> trying to figure out the following, and any input would be
>>> appreciated. These questions are laptop/notebook-specific, as I
>>> really don't want to get into ripping out my main DAW PC &
>>> porting it around for these ventures, and while - like most of
>>> you, I suspect - I've rigged-up several purpose-built towers, I
>>> know virtually nothing aout laptop hardware... so:
>>>
>>> #1.) I have two Nuendo/RME Multifaces - these are the only
>>> interfaces I'm aware of that have a PCMCIA card available -
>>> which would make things simple - just buy a cardbus card & Bada-
>>> Bing!, I'm tracking with one of my Multifascia to a laptop.
>>> Point then becomes, Can I go in at 88.2k & get a decent # of
>>> channels? One Multiface will give me 8 analog ins, and 4 lightpipe ins at
>>> that frequency - might be bare minimum for
>>> live rock, but 44.1k would give me 4 addtl. lightpipes (I have
>>> no preamps with SPDIF out, so that's irrelevant in this case)
>>> for a total of 16 - a little better... BUT.... is there any
>>> off-the-shelf laptop that has 2 cardbus slots available, so
>>> that I could use both of my Multifaces? There's question #1.
>>>
>>> #2.) Would it make more sense to get a slightly used laptop
>>> with XP already loaded, or get a new one with more CPU power &
>>> RAM, but that I'd have to backload with WinXP, rather than the
>>> Vista that it would come with? Again, I'm not looking at 30-or-
>>> 40-something tracks on these live recordings, it'd be in the
>>> 20's, at most, so a used one might be OK, even at 88.2k, and it
>>> would NOT be ued for mixdown - that would be done on the "home
>>> base" DAW. Thoughts?
>>>
>>> #3) Would it be easier to go Firewire with something like the
>>> RME Fireface series? Then I'd have to buy a new convertor box,
>>> but if it would make life easier, it might be worth it.
>>>
>>> #4) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
>>>
>>> #5.) And, no Chris Ludwig, I can't afford any of your $3,000
>>> laptops! LOL! :)
>>>
>>> Thx upfront.
>>>
>>> Neil
>
>
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