When Asking about Computer Performance for Recording:

[Butnutz]

When Asking about Computer Performance for Recording:

you need to list some important information. The difference between knowing something seemingly minor can cause a major pain in the butt.

In general you should list:

1] Computer Type: PC(desktop or laptop) and manufacturer, or MAC (Desktop/Laptop)

2] Processor Type & listed Speed (notate if your processor is overclocked and by what method(BIOS or Mechanical)

3] Other internal specs to include:
a] front side buss speed
b] back side buss speed
c] RAM Type, speed, cache, etc..
d] Hard Drives...maker, size, speed, cache, etc..
e] Power supply Specs (not really essential, but an underpowered machine wont function well.)

4] What additional options do you have installed?
a] AGP (graphics) Cards
b] PCI/PCIE/PCIX cards installed (USB, Firewire, SCSI, Sound Cards, DSP Cards, etc....)

5] What is your cooling situation? Does the case have fans? do you have a pet who's hair gets into your computer and causes ventilation and static problems?

6] other info you think might be important such as:
a] "my computer makes clicking noises"
-OR-
b] "i also use the recording computer for the internet and i have AOL installed"


This list of things will help people guide you through setting up a recording rig on your computer. Not all interfaces are compatible will all USB and FIREWIRE ports, due to the type of manufacture. This is especially true for DIGIDESIGN and M-AUDIO hardware designed for protools LE and protools M-Powered.

[Butnutz]

In regards to setting up Windows XP for the best performance, audio or otherwise, refer to: http://www.musicxp.net/

also, on microsofts website, the free application called "TweakUI" can be used to change XP defaults without doing confusing and dangerous brain surgery on your windows registry files.

[ignignokt]

Thanks for posting this stuff.

[SweetDrums1234]

why is AOL a factor in computer recording?

[Butnutz]

why is AOL a factor in computer recording?

just an example.
it is a fact, however, that AOL runs processes in the background unless you disable it in MSCONFIG, and it will eat up RAM that could be allocated to plugins, delay compensation, or DSP.

many windows programs do that.
quicktime
adobe photoshop and acrobat reader
windows update
kazaa
some bittorrent clients
virtual drive and ISO mounting programs like daemon tools
and many many others.

this is a simple thing to defeat, but it can keep causing buffer overload problems if not attended too. AOL in particular has a nice way of resetting to defaults when it updates itself, and will actually run processes that you thought you had disabled.

[deadstar]

Any chance anyone could give a brief description of what the specs of a decent home recording computer would be? I generally know my way around a computer and i have upgraded and rebuilt bits of my pc, but i dont know anytyhing about what you would need for a really good home recording pc. My friend wanted to buy a Dell XPS laptop for recording but i though a desktop would be much better from an upgrade side of things. Any help would be appreciated.

[Butnutz]

Any chance anyone could give a brief description of what the specs of a decent home recording computer would be? I generally know my way around a computer and i have upgraded and rebuilt bits of my pc, but i dont know anytyhing about what you would need for a really good home recording pc. My friend wanted to buy a Dell XPS laptop for recording but i though it a needless waste of moneyand that a desktop would be much better from an upgrade side of things. Any help would be appreciated.

the most important specs for a recording pc are:

Hard Drive Speed:
-you need AT LEAST 2 SEPARATE drives running at 7200rpm each.
-partitions are no good, you actually need 2 physical hard drives, one for the operating system and software, the other for recording audio

Frontside Buss speed
-if the FSB cant handle data fast enough, you get all sorts of problems with buffer errors, and you wont be able to record/playback anything for very long before the computer causes an error and stops.

RAM
-as much as you can afford!
-as fast as your motherboard will accept!

Processor:
-most modern(1.5ghz and higher) processors can handle ALOT of audio information(i have a 2.5 year old 1.8ghz athlon than can handle 35-40 mono tracks at 48khz/24bit)


OTHER INFO:
-make sure that all your components are compatible! ask a techie friend or go to a PC customization forum for advice.
-get the Motherboard with the best feature set you can afford.(front and backside buss speeds, processor handling capability, pci, pcie, pcix, agp slots, ram capacity, and data handling capacity(does it have ethernet, firewire, and usb)
-COOLING! get a case with some big *** fans that spin at LOW RPM...keep microphones away! if recording in 1 room, you will need to use a baffle between the comp and microphones.

ill see if i cant put some detailed specs together.