how many here use laptop/notebook for music?
- Thread starter jianrong
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Cheez
Moderator
I do. There are pros and cons using notebooks compared to desktops. Main pro is portability. Main limitation is CPU power, although notebooks are so powerful nowadays that the gap is narrowing. Other limitation is screen size - it's always nice to sequence on huge monitor screens.
So, I got a hybrid - desktop replacement. It makes it less portable in terms of weight (7kg) and size, but gives me the power of a desktop (3.5" HD, full size RAM, 17" full size monitor, not the 17" wide-screen etc.). It's still more portable than a desktop, but can break your back if you carry it for a long time.
So, I got a hybrid - desktop replacement. It makes it less portable in terms of weight (7kg) and size, but gives me the power of a desktop (3.5" HD, full size RAM, 17" full size monitor, not the 17" wide-screen etc.). It's still more portable than a desktop, but can break your back if you carry it for a long time.
Cheez
Moderator
df, for DAW applications, you can't run away from a proper soundcard. It's not recommended to use the build-in card esp for recording. There are many options for notebooks - I use Echo Indigo IO. Simple PCMCIA, plug in and play. Many other firewire/USB/PCMCIA options to choose from.
kentheman2000
New member
I'm currently on a mac. It's kinda sweet doing recording on a lappie instead of a deskie. USB interfaced mixers can do wonders for you. On top of that, that wicked light snake product (USB to quarter inch jack), makes the direct in sound, very smooth, so long as u got a good amp simu on ur com.
gutturalpiss
New member
For portable DAW work, get a MAC. Else, pure x86 aka PC.
jianrong
New member
Well. Actually i am thinking of using this newly brought notebook to compose music. So im just seeking opinion.
The problem are it is in Vista...
The good point it is powerful.
AMD 64 X2 1.8 Ghz Dual Core.
1.5 ram.
160 GB hdd.
Got usb ports and headphone ports.
Thinking of just install the software in and plug in my keyboard with midi interface..
But seem like software don't support vista?
The problem are it is in Vista...
The good point it is powerful.
AMD 64 X2 1.8 Ghz Dual Core.
1.5 ram.
160 GB hdd.
Got usb ports and headphone ports.
Thinking of just install the software in and plug in my keyboard with midi interface..
But seem like software don't support vista?
Cheez
Moderator
jianrong, avoid Vista like the plague. Downgrade to XP. Make sure you dedicate it only to music. But because most people won't want to get a notebook just for that, you can dual boot it. Once boot partition can have the Vista that came with it (running your usual apps). The other boot partition should run XP and your music software - nothing else (not even accessing internet).
Forget about the headphone ports. You'll need a PCMCIA/USB/firewire audio hardware anyway. Build-in headphone ports are only useful for your windows media player etc - something you'll never use on your music DAW anyway.
Forget about the headphone ports. You'll need a PCMCIA/USB/firewire audio hardware anyway. Build-in headphone ports are only useful for your windows media player etc - something you'll never use on your music DAW anyway.
blackductape
New member
i use my windows laptop 1.4GHZ, 256MB RAM for cubase thru m-audio pre USB. not much problems, except that sometimes the direct monitoring function don't seem to work, so i just unplug and plug the m-audio and tada, it appears. and since my processing power and memory is VERY small and its just for my little little demos, i do my work conservatively... like at one time maximum 4 VST instruments and maybe 6 audio tracks. or if i dont use MIDI, then up to 12 audio tracks also can sometimes.
and also, close any other programs inc the ones at the taskbar. i have alot of stuff installed on my laptop like football manager, live delta, finale, dreamweaver, reason and even counter strike, but it seems to work just fine so i'm quite happy and surprised how my laptop survives.
but of course its the most advisable to get a powerful system and one that runs on XP. i've heard enough of bad things about vista. plus it would be nice to do much more with the cubase if my system is stronger. but well, just my experience.
and also, close any other programs inc the ones at the taskbar. i have alot of stuff installed on my laptop like football manager, live delta, finale, dreamweaver, reason and even counter strike, but it seems to work just fine so i'm quite happy and surprised how my laptop survives.
but of course its the most advisable to get a powerful system and one that runs on XP. i've heard enough of bad things about vista. plus it would be nice to do much more with the cubase if my system is stronger. but well, just my experience.
Cheez
Moderator
blackductape, 12 audio tracks is amazing. What kind of audio tracks are you talking about? It doesn't seem possible with your specs. Also, the number of VST depends on the RAM and the type of VST. Some VST are very CPU intensive - loading one VST is sufficient to max out your resources.
As for dual booting, it should the standard method (althogh I've not used Vista myself). First, you need to partition your HD using the Windows installation disk. You can have as many partition as you like, but each version of Windows is to sit on a different partition. Then install XP first - on one partition. After you've done that, inserting the Vista installation CD should prompt you to whether you want to dual boot it in a different partition. Just follow the instructions. After all is done, on boot up, you get a screen giving you a choice as to which version of Windows you want to boot.
Other way to do it is to get a program like Partition Magic. I don't advise it as it takes up resources and runs in the background. This affects the DAW.
As for dual booting, it should the standard method (althogh I've not used Vista myself). First, you need to partition your HD using the Windows installation disk. You can have as many partition as you like, but each version of Windows is to sit on a different partition. Then install XP first - on one partition. After you've done that, inserting the Vista installation CD should prompt you to whether you want to dual boot it in a different partition. Just follow the instructions. After all is done, on boot up, you get a screen giving you a choice as to which version of Windows you want to boot.
Other way to do it is to get a program like Partition Magic. I don't advise it as it takes up resources and runs in the background. This affects the DAW.
blackductape
New member
well, i don't really run those vsts which are superly absorbing but i do use alot of a1's and USM and lm-7s to do school work on my laptop. i don't really know how cpu intensive a1 is but i'm able to use 7 a1s at a time.
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12 audio tracks i mean like 12 mono audio tracks/6 stereo tracks running at one time on cubase... should run fine if i avoid putting unnecessary effects on every track.
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12 audio tracks i mean like 12 mono audio tracks/6 stereo tracks running at one time on cubase... should run fine if i avoid putting unnecessary effects on every track.
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