In need of computer spec advice

tigel · Joined: Apr 30, 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Twin Cities

Hey everyone! I've been a casual ambient producer for over five years. It's just been a small, part time hobby of mine. I'm wanting to get more serious and I'm looking to build a new desktop just for this.

I'm assuming a high processor and RAM is required. However, I'm not one to get the best of the best. In a way I'm a minimalist. I don't want the best parts, but I for sure do not want the worst either. I really just want something that's above average.

Memory
What is the minimum gig of memory I should look into? Will 4 gig be fine? Over kill? Not enough? Will ddr 2 be okay, or should I really invest in ddr3?

Processor
I was thinking about getting a 3.2 ghz processor, dual core. However, much appreciated advice would be great! When it comes to CPU's sometimes it does come down to 'bigger is better'. I just want to know what will be worth it. If I can run everything plus more with 2.4 ghz, I'm okay with that.

Headphones/Speakers
Headphones:5.1 + I suppose? I'm in need of serious advice! I really have no clue. Recommendations?
Speakers: Do I even need these? The only reason I put this up is because speakers can sometimes be extremely better, and cheaper; but I'm not sure if its recommended for what I'm wanting to do. Please help!

Operating System
Currently I have XP and have forever. However, I'm open to upgrading to 7 if there is some benefit to this. I'd imagine it's just a resource hog so I'm trying to stay away. I'm a PC guy, but I really want a box that is going to be worth while. Is mac the better choice? Also any IT/CS guys recommend Building a mac from the ground up? I've heard its a pain in the ass.

Also, my roommate is insisting I look into linux. Ubuntu to be more specific. My only problem with this is compatibility issues. Will the following work? Reason 4.0, protools 7, and other programs I'll be running into.... etc?

I have a feeling the answer is no, but I'm curious if any linux guys have successfully mixed.

I'm sure I'm missing some other key questions in building a new box for producing.... Feel free to recommend anything else you might think could assist in this task!

kkissinger

You need to consider:

Peripherals

Make sure that all the peripherals (your video memory, network cards, etc... are PCI compliant. Bear in mind that your USB and/or Firewire ports connect to the PCI buss. If you video memory (for example) hogs bandwidth on the PCI buss, then that leaves less bandwidth for your sound interface and will necessitate greater latency values.

Most software will specify minimum and recommended CPU speed and memory. Definitely use the recommended and don't just go with the minimum.

If you are using your computer for real-time processing (i.e., looping and/or virtual synths) you will need to run with minimal latency. If your system is strictly for multi-track recording, then you can run with much higher latencies.

Hope this info is useful to you.

tigel · Joined: Apr 30, 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Twin Cities

Thanks Kevin, I will for sure take all of that into consideration.

BananaPlug · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:56 am Post subject:

Win 7 is NOT the resource hog Vista was. I'd held onto XP, then switched to 64bit Win7 and am very pleased. There are arguments about 32bit vs 64bit and info to read online. Win 7 uses the same kind of drivers as Vista. If you have any really old school hardware check to see if current drivers are available. My machine is a few years old (dual 2.4GHz) but I popped for a pair of fast HDs hooked up to high end RAID controller (not the mother board) and response time is great. Getting latency down with fast HD and reasonable amount of RAM feels faster to me than a machine with the latest CPU and a commodity 5400 RPM drive. Retailers tend to configure machines with fast CPU with cheap everything else because CPU speed and price is what most people shop for.

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

Memory: as much as you can get. More is always better. I have a Windows XP workstation with 4 GB, and a Linux workstation that can take up to 16 but currently has 8. You want at least 4.

Processor: I'm not sure how much you will be able to take advantage of more than 2 cores, although I suppose with 4 or 8 whatever OS you use can run on half, leaving the other half entirely for audio. It took a while for some good software to be rewritten for multiple cores to truly take advantage of it. I don't know if anything will automatically take advantage of +2 cores. But you definitely want at least 2, and as fast as you can get them.

Headphones/speakers: That's actually beyond the scope of the computer specs; however, you must have either a dedicated sound card - NOT an integrated/onboard one, or preferably, an EXTERNAL sound card, such as a mixer with a Firewire interface or a digital audio interface to your mixer. This will give you the best results and require only that your OS drive the unit rather than take up resources BEING the sound card. Plus, with an external digital audio interface, you'll get the best possible recording results. It will cost more, but if you're serious, it will be worth it, and you'll find that you should have nothing less.

For sound monitoring, you want a good set of monitors. Do not do serious mixing with cans. There's another thread around here discussing monitors.

Another thing you do NOT want integrated into the mobo is your video card. Even if your goal is not gaming, get a separate video card with its own GPU and RAM. That will free up the main CPUs for the OS and audio. If you get a separate video card and the mobo has integrated video, turn off the integrated video in the BIOS.

OS: I never upgraded to Windows 7 and do not plan to leave XP for as long as I use Windows. I'm actually in the process of switching to Linux. Mac has an equal number of what I consider "problems" due to the fact that it's merely another proprietary system. If you want to talk Linux, lemme know. I won't waste your ear's bandwidth otherwise. Cool

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:25 am Post subject:

Also have you thought about getting a Mac?

My experiences are that OSX works better for audio/video work than XP/Vista/Windows 7.

The only problem is they cost more.

Cheers

Andy

v-un-v · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:07 am Post subject:

v-un-v · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:11 am Post subject:

Here's my Mac Mini!!

Very Happy

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loydb · Joined: Feb 04, 2010 Posts: 393 Location: Providence, RI

If you don't already have a big monitor, I think a 27" iMac is a better deal than the new Mini. I almost pulled the trigger on the new mini server version, then decided I'd rather spend $2K and have it all integrated (still haven't ordered yet, though, this will be my first Mac purchase and I am waffling about what I want).

v-un-v · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:51 am Post subject:

The only reason I went for a Mac Mini over the iMac, was

a, portability. I can sling a Mac Mini in my backpack, then hook up with another monitor somewhere else.

and

b) I can't stand the shiny screen on the iMac.

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

loydb · Joined: Feb 04, 2010 Posts: 393 Location: Providence, RI