Building a PC for recording & everything else

K

Kaye

New member
Hi Softies!

A word of precaution, I'm totally noob when it comes to computer specs and terms. Except for the fact that I know there's RAM, graphic card, sound card... That's pretty okay for a girl I guess. But when it comes to the nitty details, please break it down to fool's terms. :) Thank you in advance!

I have a budget of $800 - $1000. Initially wanted to get a macbook pro but it's way out of budget. sigh.

OKAY! So... What I do need? Other than a CPU case and a monitor. (right... go ahead and scoff at me)

In terms of recording. I'm looking at max of recording 2-3 tracks simultaneously preferably through a device(those things with XLR input and knobs and what not) with a firewire? (believe it's faster than USB 2.0 right?)

Suggestions please!! :D
 
I think it's pretty hard to break down the nitty details in a short forum post.

I think you can save yourself some trouble by getting DIY packages from Sim Lim Square.

Go to any computer shop, take a price list, you can usually find DIY packages--it's the same as building your own by assemblying individual peripherals together, but the shop does this for you and sells it as a package.

It saves time especially if you are not familiar with brands and types of computer peripherals. You may not get great parts in a package, but surely it should suffice.

CPU with the essentials inside (RAM, Processor, Harddisk, Graphics card and not just an empty case)
Display monitor
Mouse
Keyboard

I think that's pretty much it.

If you need XLR input for recording, you'll probably need to get an audio interface that provides phantom power.

Since it's going to be PC, you'll be better off with USB type of audio interface to save yourself the troubles of firewire.

An audio interface will add a good 200 bucks or more to your total cost.

You can live without it, if you're fine with onboard sound module, which doesn't promise low latency recording and no XLR inputs.

Happy shopping around.
 
I agree with basing it on one of those typical DIY PCs at Sim Lim. You don't need a specialised computer for audio (unlike working with video) unless you're talking really high end. Just have generous amounts of RAM and a decently fast harddisk.

For the audio interface you'll want at least one XLR and one 1/4" for vocals and guitar but you probably already knew that :) USB is fine unless you intend to play live through the PC. The few millisecond lag can be synced up easily if it's a problem during editing, but if playing live (using your PC for effects or whatever) you might feel it. But since it's a PC not a laptop I don't think that'll be an issue for you either.
 
Zerox Millienium & carboxymoron: Thanks for the advice! Will definitely pop down to Simlim real soon.

Another question would be... Do I require any special soundcard? Any additional add on that I will need?
 
DIY packages from Sim Lim is fine. But my suggestion is Asus motherboard. One word of caution - the latest Intel Sandy Bridge has got serious problem and SHOULD have all been recalled. If they attempt to sell you anything with Sandy Bridge in the name, DON'T GET IT. They will help you select the RAM that is compatible (brand doesn't really matter). HD - most in Sim Lim will be fine.

Soundcard - go to either Sinamex or Resolutions. Presonus, M-audio, Echo - you can choose any of them. With a desktop, you don't want a firewire. That's only if you want something portable. You really want PCI or PCIe card that fits into your desktop case. They are not expensive and sometimes even cheaper than firewire - not to mention they are also faster. Definitely stay away from built-in audio interfaces, if possible. Unless you are truly on a shoe-string budget - then we can find ways around to increase latency of these built-in interfaces.

Don't forget to budget in software cost. Including Windows. My personal preference is always to dual boot. A dedicated boot partition for DAW/music is always a good long-term plan, even if you don't need all the horsepower now. Do a search in SOFT and you'll find lots of posts on this. I recommend it right from the start. As you install more and more software, it will take up CPU resources in the background, mess up the registry, and slows your PC down. If you decide you need more CPU power only then, you'll have a headache and more problems trying to re-partition drives etc. It's easier planning right from the beginning. It's not difficult.
 
Cheez: :D Thank you for the reply. Didn't know about PCI or PCIe cards shall do some reading on it. Yeah! I saw a couple of threads on Dual booting. I'll ask my bro to settle those tacky stuff for me. I fear the bluescreen of death.
 
Actually you have to do a lot of reading to doing diy. What kind of brand goes well with other component from other brand?Mainly you need to focus on the graphic, motherboard and ram.How they can match together. Also you need to make your CPU to be as quite as possible unless you can place it far away.
 
kongwee: oh god I have been reading so much on techy stuff, so much that I think it's equivalent to 3 years of techy stuff that I could read up on. haha. talk about exaggerating. \m/ sigh

blueprintstudios: :) got it! Replied! Thankyou!

There's so many versions of ASUS motherboards, diff version of intel. I'm not too sure if what would be sufficient. And quiet coolers and videocards. *face palm*
 
Just get what you need.

There are plenty of irrelevant information, marketing gimmicks that will bring you for a spin.

Most of the time, a lot of hardware and software reviews are targetted at geeks and enthusiasts. While an ordinary end-user can be more informed, your buying goals will likely to be skewed.

Take user reviews with a pinch of salt. It's a common fallacy to believe what works for others will work for you. Everyone has different requirements, different budget, different goals. Just as you buy the same piece of hardware of the same brand, an unexpected outcome may surprise you.

It takes a bit of time and patience to plan, research, and overcome issues and problems later.

Good luck.
 
Indeed, you don't need to read too much. There are too many motherboards to choose from. You don't have to know every single one. Just tell the shop you want an Asus, tell them the speed you want, Intel or AMD (I would say go for Intel, explanation will get too techie...). Tell them your budget. And it should be ok.

I believe blueprintstudios build PCs for others as well (right?). He can build one for you!
 
Zerox Millienium & Cheez: I think I might just engage in BluePrintStudio's PC service and save me from the pain from reading too much techy stuff :D Alright now, 1 more week to pay day! And more house chores to do to bribe my parents.
 
As much that it's stuff I could post up an entire PC FAQ here on soft for free (but won't be any time soon I guess.) its like what 0x millennium said.different people have different requirements and especially different budget. I've help "built"/consult numerous home studios lately under very justified/affordable costs for the ones who just want to get their hands dirty asap (instead of reading up how to get your hands dirty) and start recording.

Don't mean to be sexist but it'll be interesting to have one more of the rarer female recording enthusiasts (Amanda tee is another great example) to join in the fun here at soft.
 
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