The Computer Literate - Hardware Required For A Music Studio PC?
3 replies, posted
Hey guys. I'm looking into building a PC to record instruments. I know how to put a PC together but I'm a little out of touch with the hardware and such. I'm wondering what the best value for money components are to make a decent spec PC that can do this for me.
Obviously the two main things are sound and speed, which is why I'm willing to spend more on a decent processor / soundcard / RAM. I'd say my budget is around £1,000 ($1,800?) - but I need to get EVERYTHING (including a monitor). I already own a licence for Cubase so software isn't an issue.
Thanks for your time :)
I had an AMD 4600+ With 3GB of RAM In my studio
I tracked up to 16 Tracks in cubase at 96000Hz 24Bit with no fail.
I am now moving to a Pentium Dual core based LAptop with 4GB of RAM so I can take the recording gear to the field.
Just get a decent spec Intel Core2 system (Hell an old E6400 would do) With plenty of Ram and a 7200RPM HDD and spend the rest on a GOOD Audio interface, Firewire prefered, with ASIO compatibility.
For audio Interface, Look into stuff by:
M-Audio (Budget end)
MOTU (Expensive, But very well proven)
Presonus (Value for money) - [url]http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=5[/url]
RME (Expensive End)
The interface is HUGE part of, Get a good one that will hold it's value and provide a stable environment for recording, last thing you want is a sample sync "Click" Right in the middle of the perfect take
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And try to go for quietness, IF you aren't gaming on it, GEt a passive cooled graphics card and that's some noise cut down.
Tagan PSUs are almost inaudible, I used one in my HTPC and you can't hear it at all.
Some Links:
Good Value CPU:
[url]http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Intel-Core-2-Duo-E8400-Wolfdale-Core-S775-30-GHz-1333MHz-6MB-Cache-9x-Multiplier-Retail[/url]
Very Quiet Cooler:
[url]http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=1066473[/url]
Presonus Firestudio, [b]HIGHLY[/b] Expendable I/O, Cheap clearance price.
[url]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=7882[/url]
Probably some useful information in this post, if a little unstructured.
I'd say get a Phenom II X4 945/955, 4GB of DDR3, an AM3 mobo, ~1TB HDD, Antec 300, 4650 if you don't play games much (if you do, wait until september), a good 500-650W PSU, and any DVD burner. You could go with an i7, but with the Phenom you get identical performance for most things for a lot less so you have more money to spend on the components you need for audio.
Don't forget that your recordings will only be as good as the source, so I hope you have a budget for mics. (Atleast one of Dynamic*, Small Condesner and large condesner at the very least to give you a start) - I'm not sure what setup you have currently.
*SM57 Works well for almost everything, Real workhorse mics, Can get a little mid-rangey for certain things but it's a great all rounder.
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