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guscro
audio school
Joined: 10 Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Location: philadelphia
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 Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:11 pm Post subject: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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Hello all.
Long time reader/lurker here. For years the folks who post here have provided great suggestions/solutions/inspirations for my garage/basement experimenting. Cheers for that. I finally have a question of my own (sorta):
A friend of mine is trying to dip his toe into digital recording and is thinking about getting a laptop/converter rig to use with his four track. Personally I am a mac guy (unibody MBP for recording, iMac i5 for work/occasional mixing), but I don't think his needs call for that much fire power, and that his money would be better spent on elsewhere. My friend (let's call him Mike) has been on his tascam for years and really just needs a way to do stereo mixes like he would have (and still does) to his tape deck. He is definitely not going to be digging into any plugins, I could maybe see him working up to digital overdubs with the right (read: simple) software. He's a really bright guy, just way more interested in writing and playing than recording. Which is great, cause he's a real talent. He's asking me, which is kind of like asking a fish how to ride a bicycle, so I'm asking you, cause you've taught me pretty much everything I know about bicycles.
Keeping under $1000, what would you add to his rig (4 track, monitors) to get the best sound with the highest ease of use?
Does that make sense? I think it does. Go!
peace,
dc |
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Adam Chesi
studio intern
Joined: 20 Aug 2012
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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Something like a Zoom H4n sounds like the right thing for what you're describing. There's a bit of a learning curve to their interface, but it's pretty simple and generally reliable. Best part is it's well under the budget.
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~Adam Chesi
Sweetwater Sales Engineer
Adam_Chesi@sweetwater.com
(800) 222-4700 x1694 |
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dfuruta
buyin' gear
Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 504
Location: mpls
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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| Does he have a computer already? |
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guscro
audio school
Joined: 10 Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Location: philadelphia
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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On the zoom:
Mike likes the idea of a standalone hardware solution, and I love the idea of having a field recorder lying aroun to play with, but it's not really what were looking for. Remember when you would record a new song on the 4 track, mix it onto the tape deck on your stereo and then give it to a friend to listen to in his car? That's what we're tryin to achieve, the end result being a CD. Thanks for the suggestion though.
As for his computer situation, from the man himself:
-- let's see - my computer situation is non-existent really. I'd like to do what you do and get a recording-devoted laptop I think...to use the 4-track thru the firewire box to simple stero mixdown on software in laptop. But what kind of cheap laptop is best for the basic job? -- |
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Adam Chesi
studio intern
Joined: 20 Aug 2012
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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| guscro wrote: | On the zoom:
Mike likes the idea of a standalone hardware solution, and I love the idea of having a field recorder lying aroun to play with, but it's not really what were looking for. Remember when you would record a new song on the 4 track, mix it onto the tape deck on your stereo and then give it to a friend to listen to in his car? That's what we're tryin to achieve, the end result being a CD. Thanks for the suggestion though.
As for his computer situation, from the man himself:
-- let's see - my computer situation is non-existent really. I'd like to do what you do and get a recording-devoted laptop I think...to use the 4-track thru the firewire box to simple stero mixdown on software in laptop. But what kind of cheap laptop is best for the basic job? -- |
Well, on the topic of the Zoom and the computer, you can use it as an interface. It admittedly limits placement (due to the fact that USB has a maximum range of approximately 5 meters (little more than 16 feet)) but it definitely is functional and allows you 4 track input at a time. If you can find a decent laptop (I can expand upon the term "decent" endlessly, so I'll leave it at that for now), you can pick up Reaper fairly cheap as I recall (been a while since I looked into it, and they deal direct so I don't have the numbers on me), or work in Audacity (free, but a little bit clunky), and still end up with a fairly decent setup under 1k. If using an existing computer, you can pick up some good software instead of a laptop. (I too prefer a dedicated recording computer, but that's not always practical)
This gives you the ability to track straight into the computer and have a full 4 tracks. Then when the time comes to mix down, it's all right there. If you used it as a field recorder, it's still pretty quick and simple to transfer the files. In my opinion, the Zoom can easily replace most cheaper interfaces just due to the fact that it doesn't have to work as an interface but can when needed.
Otherwise, those Focusrite Scarlet interfaces are a great value, but only 2 track inputs.
_________________
~Adam Chesi
Sweetwater Sales Engineer
Adam_Chesi@sweetwater.com
(800) 222-4700 x1694 |
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dfuruta
buyin' gear
Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 504
Location: mpls
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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| guscro wrote: | As for his computer situation, from the man himself:
-- let's see - my computer situation is non-existent really. I'd like to do what you do and get a recording-devoted laptop I think...to use the 4-track thru the firewire box to simple stero mixdown on software in laptop. But what kind of cheap laptop is best for the basic job? -- |
I like Reaper a lot, as far as software. It's cheap, powerful, and should run on whatever. There's a bit of a learning curve if he's never used a DAW before. But, the manual is complete and clearly written.
I like my Echo Audiofire interfaces, and they're not too expensive.
As far as recommending a specific laptop I haven't a clue, sorry. Something super powerful isn't necessary; just make sure that it has the right jacks (firewire is disappearing), and a nice amount of ram & hard disk space. |
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raweber
audio school graduate
Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 21
Location: Suffolk, VA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: Best sub $1000 laptop/converter for recording |
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Take it a step further and move up to a Zoom R16. It can record 8 tracks of 24/44.1 audio simultaneously, providing switchable phantom power on two of the inputs, and has two onboard mics as well. You can overdub a further 8 tracks over the first 8. Via USB you can download all the tracks to a computer as .wav files, or do rudimentary mixing right on the unit.
I've borrowed a friend's to do some location recording and have generally been impressed. Thinking about picking one up for myself.
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Music is organized sound... with emotion. |
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