#510733 - 03/19/04 02:52 PM
laptop DAW questions
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jnorman
Gold Member
Registered: 03/16/01
Posts: 916
Loc: salem,OR,UNITED STATES
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i am currently using a roland vs1880, which i like and know how to
use. however, i just bought an IBM T40, centrino 1.5ghz, 5200rpm hdd,
etc., and i am wondering if i should consider moving to a laptop-based
system now. perhaps picking up something like the edirol usb2.0
10-in, 10-out interface, and maybe PT-LE (using external HV3 preamps).
so, i have a few questions:
1. would i see a sonic improvement over the 1880? are the converters
in the edirol better than the converters inthe roland?
2. which USB 2.0 interface is recommended these days?
3. how good are the standard reverb and delay plugins compared with
the roland effects? do i need to purchase better plugins?
4. what is the best software to start with? PT-LE? how steep is the
learning curve for DAW software?
5. will a 5200rpm hdd be adequate for 6-8 tracks at a time?
6. can i run it straight in XP-Pro, or do i absolutely have to setup
a dual-boot system?
7. what else do i need to know/consider?
thanks.
_________________________
jnorman
sunridge studios
salem, oregon
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#510734 - 03/19/04 03:30 PM
Re: laptop DAW questions
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ISedlacek
Senior Member
Registered: 12/07/01
Posts: 165
Loc: CZECH REPUBLIC
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Hi James, you cannot use PTLE without Digidesign hardware - either Digi 001 (but you cannot use it diectly with your laptop) or Digi 002 connected by firewire.
Unfortunately - I myself would love to. I like the software but not the hardware.
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#510735 - 03/20/04 12:39 AM
Re: laptop DAW questions
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tonyl
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Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 27
Loc: hudson nh
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Hi James, Here a couple of thoughts.
Roland just introduced a new effects card(vsf3) that provides vs recorders to host VST plug-ins(roland adapted Of course!) It does take up a effect card spot but offers some cool plug-in options.
Your vs1880 is 16bits I believe(or 24/44.1k). If it is. All the new comp. audio box's are capable of 24/96k. The problem with 24/96k files is your hard drive wont be fast enough. I think you should be able to do 6-8 tracks but, I'm not sure if you will be able to do more than that. (It should not be a problem when you are recording but, If you trying to play back more than 6-8 tracks your hard drive is not fast enough.) The other aspect is how much memory do you have? That will depend on plug-ins and such.
On software everybody has their fav. I use Sonar and really like it. I have friends who swear by D.P. or P.T. even Cubase. The point is, they all work.
With Sonar If you purchase the producer's version you get some very good plug-in with the package.
I guy I do some work with has A killer dual proc. g4 at the studio and a Mac laptop(I don't know which kind but, one of the nicer ones.)for mobile stuff. Uses Digi 002 and a opti 8 mic pre for 16 channels. The difference is like nite and day between the laptop and tower. The laptop is much slower on every aspect.
You could always add A nicer mic pre with a digital out to use as your front end, ( a friend of mine has the vs2400 recorder and just bought a apogee mini me and it adds alot to his choices.)
I don't know if this helps, It late and I'm kind if tired....
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#510736 - 03/21/04 02:43 PM
Re: laptop DAW questions
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7376
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"1. would i see a sonic improvement over the 1880?"
Depends upon your converters, but a general answer would be a big "YES!", and once you start editing with a full video screen, you'll be hooked anyway.
" are the converters in the edirol better than the converters inthe roland?"
Sorry, don't know anythign about the ederol. Look at RME, Mixtreme, Lynx, Frontier.
"2. which USB 2.0 interface is recommended these days?"
as I mentioned elsewhere, I would use an RME PC interface for a laptop, given the rest of your setup.
"3. how good are the standard reverb and delay plugins compared with the roland effects?"
Better.
" do i need to purchase better plugins?"
You won't need to, but like the rest of us, you probably eventually will do so. There are tons of free verbs and similar effects available on the 'net. But at some point, an integrated system wherein all the stuff looks and feels about the same to operate is just easier to use, not to mention that you will find your favorite, and it will probably cost you something.
"4. what is the best software to start with?"
Unfortunately, software is the real place to start. I always suggest that the recordist check out the softeare first, and buy the system to support the software that they like. In pure audio software, I use SAWStudio and Sequoia, both expensive options But there is a SAWBasic, and Samplitude. Lots of people like Sonar and Vegas. Nuendo obviously gets a lot of press. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't overwhelmed enough to try to learn it, either. But that is the real issue.... all of them record audio. Some have great support, some don't. But they ALL look and feel a little different, one to another, yet they are all also very similar. Like picking a guitar or a running shoe, you have to pick the one that fits -you-, and the reason why there are so many successful ones, is that they all work well, and each fits someone's way of working, but no single program works best for everybody.
The same is true with learning curves... some people 'get it' very quickly and some don't. You're likely to 'get it' when you find the software that works for you, but NOT UNTIL you have some experience on DAWS. I know that it sucks, but downloading demos and experimenting is the best way to go, if you cannot find people in your area using various softwares who would be willing to help you to learn.
"5. will a 5200rpm hdd be adequate for 6-8 tracks at a time?"
Yeah, a well-setup laptop will get up to 16 tracks.
"6. can i run it straight in XP-Pro, or do i absolutely have to setup a dual-boot system?"
Dual boot to what, for what purpose? I use my laptop for everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) and I have a Tascam US-122 for running the SMAART system, plus an RME PC card to run either my RME Digiface or Multiface. As I said above, I run Sequoia and SAWStudio on the machine, and I have only done the barest most basic tweaks. You don't have to get really deep in tweaking XP, just do the basics... turn off autorun for the CD player, turn off the services that you do not use, back down the video acceleration,... simple things.
"7. what else do i need to know/consider?"
There is a lot of prejudice out there. People like to put stuff down, and people like to promote what they use. Obviously, I'm promoting what I use.
But how does one make a good decision?
In my opinion, if you look at the newsgroups for anything that you plan to buy, you will see how the general public is reacting to the product. Obviously, you see the whiners and criers on any newsgroup. But it is not hard to figure out that, when 60% of the posters are saying that their product doesn't work or has critical problems, maybe you don't want that product.
I chose RME because the products work, the support is excellent, and the price was right.
I chose SAWStudio because the product does exactly what it says it does, and is rock-solid.
Look for products wherein the support teams are actually helping to resolve problems. Don't buy promises from manufacturers. Don't ever buy version 1.0 of anything involving computers
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#510737 - 03/21/04 10:05 PM
Re: laptop DAW questions
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Joe Hanna
Member
Registered: 10/31/03
Posts: 16
Loc: Los Angeles CA
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I've just got to jump in here.....
jnorman's questions about migrating from a Roland stand alone box to some kind of computer/software combination are typical for someone in his/her position. Some of the responses are good and some are not so good.
In the spirit of helping I'll chip in here.
I should mention I've been using software audio solutions since...well...since there has been software solutions. I'm fortunate to make my living doing so and I simply can't imagine tracking and mixing without. However........
The Roland is a great sounding device capable of far more than most are talented enough to provide. (no finger pointing here) The converters in any of the standard fare boxes (2408, RME, 002, ect ect) are simple not sonic leaps above the Roland. I venture to say a better fundamental understanding of EQ will make far more of an audio impact than converters in most home/project studios. The mic pre's in the Roland are more than usable, in fact they're actually really good. Once again I would argue that fundamental mixing techniques will have a greater impact than some mythical box. There is no question (in my mind) the Roland effects are noticeably better than most included plug-in package. So I'm leaning towards recomending the Roland right??
Actually no...the beauty of the software solution (at least for me) is.....surprise..."the software". The things I'm capable of doing from an editing, mixing and automation, soft synth, storage point of view are simply NOT available in the Roland. My point is if you want to move from the Roland it should be for the software advantages as at this level the hardware diffrences are insignificant. The software, in a round about way, used creativly makes the greater sonic improvment
Finally a couple of things stand out about some of your questions. You asked about the 5400rpm drive and will it be enough. The answer is absolutely not. It may run for awhile before it starts throwing a fit but sooner or later (and usually at the worst of times) you'll begin to get "disk is to slow" errors.
The DAW learning curve, with the possible exception of Logic, is going to be far easier than the Roland and of course as long as the application supports XP you needn't worry about a dual boot system.
Whew...hope that helps...
[I][/I]
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#510738 - 03/21/04 11:15 PM
Re: laptop DAW questions
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not coaster MODERATOR
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/27/01
Posts: 5306
Loc: Nowhere Special
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those rolands are great units. the reverbs and delays are actually quite good, will keep up with most software stuff. you'll probably drop a lot of dough to get that laptop running great. consider spending that money on some outboard gear -
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