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6038 Views 21 Replies Latest reply: Apr 4, 2009 1:09 PM by TheRealZap RSS
tonebuff Just Startin'
tonebuff
102 posts since
Dec 9, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 3, 2009 11:30 AM

X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

I am looking to get some input on some computer specs for recording?

I am looking to replace an older computer with a new one or build one to use specifically for audio recording - PC based

Basic recording setup with my electric guitars/acoustic/and some vocals

I know I can build a bare bones system pretty cheap, but want some suggestions.....

 

Custom build or pre-configured ideas?

Component suggestions?  Intel or AMD?

Are there any companies besides Sweetwater that custom builds for audio recording?

 

Thanks

Tags: computer, recording, x3l, x3_live, computer_setup
  • geeker Iknowathingortwo
    geeker
    1,140 posts since
    Jan 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 3, 2009 11:35 AM (in response to tonebuff)
    Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

    I can't tell ya what to get but I can list the specs of the computer I put together myself.

     

    AMD PH X4 9950 2.6G AM2+ Quad Core Chip

    ASUS M3N72-D AM2+ NF750A Mainboard

    4 GIGS CORS TWIN 2X4096 1066mhz DDR2 RAM

  • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
    TheRealZap
    9,525 posts since
    Dec 22, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 3, 2009 11:41 AM (in response to tonebuff)
    Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

    i personally would only buy an intel processor... based on my 15 years experience with computers...

    also you will get a huge benefit in having alot of memory... for this reason i'd also go with an x64 system.

     

    some people will surely hate this... but i'm A+, Net+, microsoft, unix, java certified etc...

    and i'd just keep it simple and get something like a Dell...

    its not like the old days when you couldn't do upgrades to these...

    you get a nice package/price etc... really hard to compete with...

    sure you can get a better system by handpicking every component... for a cost...

    and then you have 9 different places for warranty service etc... not worth it...

    i'm also not talking about the dirt cheap dell wal-mart model... a middle of the road dell...

    that does most of what you want out of the box and has room for upgrading later etc...

     

    *disclaimer... substitute dell for hp or whomever else...

    in fact if you want dell's performance end... go with alienware.

    • tonebuff Just Startin'
      tonebuff
      102 posts since
      Dec 9, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 3, 2009 11:54 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
      Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

      Zap,

      Thanks - I heard alot of good things about the HP's - getting better rating lately over Dell.

      Any experience with Alienware - thought they were mostly for gamers?

      Also, Dual core or Quad - will I really need that mush power in a small home studio environment?

      • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
        TheRealZap
        9,525 posts since
        Dec 22, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 3, 2009 12:02 PM (in response to tonebuff)
        Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

        i have a core 2 duo and it's great, i would love to have a quad, but ultimately for myself and probably you... it's a balance in price vs benefits...

        the extra cpu headroom will be beneficial to you if you run alot of plug-ins or synths... i do... and they can eat up some cpu!

         

        my overall experience with HP's has been good for the systems themselves but rather poor compared to the warranty on the dell...

         

        alienware is MARKETED primarily to gamers, because they tend to demand higher performance...

        it's still essentially just that... a high performance machine!

    • geeker Iknowathingortwo
      geeker
      1,140 posts since
      Jan 26, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 3, 2009 11:58 AM (in response to TheRealZap)
      Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

      AMD or Intel......they both have their pluses and negatives. It comes down to personal prefrences. I've been using AMD for the last 10 years with no problems.

       

      Heck, I have a intel 450mhz that still works today.....LOL

      • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
        TheRealZap
        9,525 posts since
        Dec 22, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 3, 2009 12:07 PM (in response to geeker)
        Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

        i know alot of people will agree with you... and to some extent you can get more "bang for your buck" with AMD...

        but in my experience the stability of the intel cpu's has outweighed the benefits of slightly faster for a few bucks less...

         

        i do currently use an AMD cpu in my HP machine at home, right next to my INTEL in my DELL

        for real... i'm not making that up.... haha

        but it is a preference... any current machine with multiple cores and the ability to upgrade will work for what you want...

        the real good info would be to find out who has a machine without the USB dropouts and follow their lead.

        • geeker Iknowathingortwo
          geeker
          1,140 posts since
          Jan 26, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 3, 2009 12:11 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
          Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

          that's funny. My X3 Live works on my HP (Intel chip) Vista 64 laptop and it works on my put together internet XP AMD dual core desktop. I haven't tried it on my AMD quad core yet.

          • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
            TheRealZap
            9,525 posts since
            Dec 22, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Apr 3, 2009 12:17 PM (in response to geeker)
            Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

            yeah i'm certain that the processor isn't the only factor for the usb issue whatever it is... i'm sure there is still, chipset and maybe a usb controller chip to factor in...

            there's always the possibility that you just got a wicked awesome x3 and wouldn't have the issues on any machine...

            i personally have the issue on all of my machines... so i cry myself to sleep every night hoping to wake up to a fix... hahah

        • tonebuff Just Startin'
          tonebuff
          102 posts since
          Dec 9, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 3, 2009 12:35 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
          Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

          Yeah, for years I swore to use nothing but an Intel, but the two machines I've used for home use have been AMD.  There have been times I've seen some quirkiness with them, but that could have been a typical Windows issue!

           

          If it was a huge price difference, then AMD would be a no brainer, but right now reliability and stability are more important for me.  But the AMD's in my opinion are just as good with the right combo of components.

           

          Aside from the USB issue, I guess the latencey issue also arises too - I wonder if there will be a difference in that area based upon chipset?  The other thing is power - I have an old house so the power is weird sometimes - you guys use any specific power conditioners or UPS backups?

          • geeker Iknowathingortwo
            geeker
            1,140 posts since
            Jan 26, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Apr 3, 2009 12:41 PM (in response to tonebuff)
            Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

            I use Rackrider and Furman power conditioners along with some power filters to keep noise from the outlets.

          • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
            TheRealZap
            9,525 posts since
            Dec 22, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Apr 3, 2009 12:46 PM (in response to tonebuff)
            Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

            i use a basic APC ups myself... a simple backups 350 model... i have an older house as well and i would certainly endorse getting one!

            i also have a rackmount smartups 1400 on my home theater... good stuff.

             

            you are probably right with the whole AMD vs Intel thing... but i would pay a little more for intel myself... piece of mind etc...

            the majority of my AMD grudge is based on older AMD cpu's and my stubborn grudges for the hours of wasted time fixing issues because of them... hehe

            it's certainly your decision ultimately... but i just want to let you know where my opinion comes from so you can't take it as you please.

            • tonebuff Just Startin'
              tonebuff
              102 posts since
              Dec 9, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Apr 3, 2009 1:10 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
              Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

              Definately a power conditioner/UPS will go along way to preventing frustration.

              With these Intel Dual Core/Quad systems and various chipsets and motherboard models it can get very confusing...

               

              Even customizing a system with Dell you have the option of various chipset/processor upgrades - is there really much of a difference or what are some core things to look at with these various processor models?

              Or minimum cache, etc requirements when doing audio recording?

              • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
                TheRealZap
                9,525 posts since
                Dec 22, 2006
                Currently Being Moderated
                Apr 3, 2009 1:19 PM (in response to tonebuff)
                Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

                speed wise as a percentage i minor jump can not be worth it... where you will notice the difference is cache on the cpu...

                more cache allows the cpu to keep more information instead of calling out for it... in some applications this isn't needed...

                in others its a tremendous difference in performance. i think the upgrade in the cache would be relevant towards use in a DAW.

                 

                another thing to remember is that sometimes the cache and speed isn't the whole story...

                for instance an intel 2700 cpu vs a 7200 cpu can have different extensions (instructions) built into the cpu...

                one of those more advanced instructions are basically the ability to run a 64 bit operating system (i think its called EMT 64)

                some of the extra functions involve virtulaization etc... it could all get very confusing...

                it can be messy... but there are some more details here http://compare.intel.com/pcc/default.aspx?familyID=1

                for future proofing i'd get 64-bit... outside of that ability i doubt anything else will matter much to you...

                • tonebuff Just Startin'
                  tonebuff
                  102 posts since
                  Dec 9, 2007
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  Apr 3, 2009 1:53 PM (in response to TheRealZap)
                  Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

                  Awesome help... that info on the Intel processors is very interesting...some of the Duo ones have a faster clock speed than the some of the Quads!

                   

                  I will definately make an informed decision... you can get a pretty good deal from Dell or others with all the options you have... no need to spend thousands

                   

                  I have friends that swear by Macs, but they are not all that hyped up to be for some things

                  • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
                    TheRealZap
                    9,525 posts since
                    Dec 22, 2006
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    Apr 4, 2009 1:09 PM (in response to tonebuff)
                    Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

                    that too can be deceiving... i am impressed with the performance gains of multiple cores... remember it is not about clock speed any more....

                    personally i would be willing to step down in speed for multiple cores... within reason... i would not go from a 3.0 to a 1.8... maybe from a 3 to a 2.5 or something similar...

                    also take note of the front side bus... this is how fast your cpu talks to your memory... very relevant. faster=better blah blah blah!

              • geeker Iknowathingortwo
                geeker
                1,140 posts since
                Jan 26, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                Apr 3, 2009 1:23 PM (in response to tonebuff)
                Re: X3 Live and Computer Recording suggestions

                the thing I would do is check out what the best setup for the OS, recording program and hardware you plan on using. Go to these manufactures forums and find out what DOESN'T work with these items and work it from there. People list their setups when their having major issues and see if more people are having the same issues with the same hardware. Check out customer reviews of those hardware and software items. Then make that big leap in buying the stuff. Then.....there's still no guaranty. LOL

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