[NewMusic] laptop suggestions

[Brady Sharp]

Not everyone would agree, but I recommend Dell's.  Mine is now 8 years
old and I used it as my primary work computer for years, then a Linux
music PC, now my wife uses it for internet and Quicken.  It won't die.
 You mention you have software.  There's also lots of free software
out there as well that's pretty remarkable.  Check out Reaper at
www.reaper.fm .  Free unlimited demo or $39 or $99 depending on how
honest you are.  Virtual instruments, MIDI, etc. etc.

As far as interfaces, I just bought a Yamaha MW10 at Sam Ash.  10 IO,
4 Mic Pre's with Phantom, small footprint, and stereo USB2 out to your
Laptop.  You can monitor the PC from the USB as well.  $189.  No sound
card needed.  Stereo or live mix to 2 track is all I would ever need
so it works out fine for me.  No comments on sound quality as I just
got it, mainly to replace my bulky Mackie 1604 that I only used 4
channels on.

For tweaking effects in realtime, Behringer and many others make small
MIDI controllers for well under $200 with plenty of knobs.  Add a $25
USB MIDI adapter and you're good to go.


Good luck,


Brady


On 1/3/07, Matt Davignon <mattdavignon at gmail.com> wrote:
> In a few months I'm going to be in the market for a laptop computer, and am
> entertaining suggestions.
>
> I'm not looking to go the whole live performance/max-msp route, rather, I'm
> planning on using it primarily for recording and composing. I'm leaning
> towards a PC, so I can use the audio software I already have, and easily
> transfer projects to my desktop.
>
> Any suggestions on where to get it, what kind of sound card, and also those
> mixer thingies that you use to plug microphones in would be helpful.
> Actually, if someone was willing to show me the ropes a bit, I'd be happy to
> treat that person to dinner(s).
>
> I'm particularly interested in the idea of being able to tweak software
> effects in real-time, and have it save the results. That whole world
> frightens and confuses me. I'm supposed to be smart and stuff, but I'm
> afraid trying to figure out how to assign parameters to controller knobs and
> chaining modules together make me want hit things with club.
>
> Matt
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