Which computer is best for a music studio? Choosing a computer for a recording studio
For equipment home studio preferable to use desktop computer, since it is easier to make it quieter and more (significantly more) productive than a laptop. But if you need mobility and/or the studio space is critical, then a laptop with an external USB card will come in handy. You can assemble a computer yourself if it is impossible to buy all the components from one company at once, ordering the assembly at the same time.
Computer requirements for a home recording studio:
- power unit should be low noise (noise level is about 20 dB, which corresponds to a bedroom at night);
- processor (CPU), no worse - Intel Core 2 Duo 1800 MHz (frequency in megahertz) or Athlon 2x64 4000 MHz. In principle, as a computer user, you are unlikely to notice the difference between Core and Athlon. Focus on the one that will cost less. If you plan to use many plugins simultaneously (approximately 10 processors and 10 virtual synthesizers), then you should take a processor with more high frequency. In this case, it is recommended to increase the processor power (frequency in MHz) by at least 1.5 times . Doubling the number of cores (processors) gives a performance increase of approximately 25%.
As the clock frequency increases, the price of the processor increases. At first it grows in small steps (100-300 rubles from model to model), then at a certain point the difference immediately becomes 500-1000 rubles. The most advantageous price/performance criterion is to take a processor with such a sampling frequency, after which a sharp jump immediately occurs. It is also worth considering that increasing the sampling frequency by 100-200 MHz at gigahertz clock speeds does not give much benefit;
- motherboard (MB, motherboard) must match the processor And random access memory (see below), have free slots for installing an audio card if you are going to use PCI or PCI Express sound card. When choosing a motherboard, pay attention to what processors it supports and how much maximum memory can be installed in it.;
- low noise processor fan (cooler) with speed control and speed sensor (for example, Thermaltake TR2 series or ASUS V72, Silent Square, Triton 77, low-noise Scyte models);
- random access memory (RAM)- no less than 2048 MB (ultra-high memory frequency increases performance, noticeable to a simple user will not bring programs, DDR2 PC6400 is already normal. Attention: DDR2 memory is always installed in two modules, so you need to buy 2 1024 MB modules, which are often sold in sets.) . But that's just minimum required. For working with sample synthesizers ( Kontakt, HaliONE, GIGASempler, etc.) It is recommended to use at least 4 GB, and preferably 8. You can install more than 4 GB only in 64-bit ( x64) operating system. The 32-bit simply won’t see more than 3 GB of memory. Eat various ways try to get around this limitation, but they do not contribute to the stability of the operating system. Memory transfer speed is no worse than 6400 MB/s. DDR2 or DDR 3 - there is not much difference (the performance gain in programs will be about 5-10%). But if you install the most or almost the most powerful processor, then you should take DDR3 with the most high speeds. Consult the seller about the compatibility of the motherboard-processor-memory set;
- Winchester, HDD(HDD)- at least 250 Gb (GB, gigabyte) for audio recording, or at least 1000 Gb - for audio and video recording, 7200 rpm, SATA, low noise (for example, Samsung or Seagate). If you need more memory, then it’s better to buy 1 large hard drive than 2 small ones. This is due to the fact that acoustic vibrations from two or more hard drives installed in the same case jointly generate a hum that is louder than the noise from each of these hard drives when installed alone in the same case. It is not necessary or even advisable to store all the accumulated material on one hard drive of a studio computer. You can have a special low-power computer (archiving server) with several hard drives, which is located in another (not studio) room and connected to studio computer over the network. Completed projects will be saved in compressed form to an archiving server;
- CD/DVD-writer- the model is practically irrelevant (for example, NEC is very good);
- video card must be fanless(its performance does not affect work with music programs) with one or two outputs for connecting monitors (see next paragraph), can be built into the motherboard;
- monitor one, or even better 2 identical ones, so that more knobs and buttons can fit on the screen music editor;
- mouse and keyboard- better with a USB connector;
- operating system- 64-bit is better (Vista or Windows 7 ), this will allow you to use more memory for sampler synthesizers, significantly (and sometimes very significantly) speed up the loading speed of sound banks. The operating system's costs for resetting and swapping program memory to disk and back to RAM will also be reduced, which will significantly increase performance.This will manifest itself in the fact that those projects that are limited by the speed of the computer on a 32-bit operating system will work with a decent performance reserve on a 64-bit operating system. There is one point. If you decide to buy some certain type sound card, then before installing a 64-bit operating system, make sure on the manufacturer’s website that there is a driver for this card for your x64 operating system.
Summary:
It is preferable to use a desktop computer rather than a laptop due to the fact that the former has greater performance and is easier to make low noise.
Decide on the choice of operating system ( x32 or x64). It is recommended to opt for 64-bit due to higher performance when using the same processor.
Faster performance x64 operating system appears when installing 4 or more GB of RAM.
The number of processor cores is at least 2, preferably 4 or 8. Doubling the processor cores increases performance by approximately 25%;
It is better to choose components based on the principle of low noise and fanless.
BE SURE to consult with the seller about the compatibility of the motherboard-processor-memory set , since the motherboard may not support DDR3, or RAM transfer speed, and whether the processor, etc. Even if these components can work together, they will not develop the maximum of their potential performance.
If you are a creative person and want to create music, then you definitely need suitable model laptop. After all, not every computer is allowed to install all the programs that will work flawlessly. And our article will help you. The most important thing is that the gadget has a powerful processor, because sound synthesis and processing require extensive calculations. Users will be able to work in Logic and connect many external VST plugins there.
And each of them likes to eat their share of the resources. If the processor low frequency, then it will be unrealistic to work, and a lot of nerves will go away. But a laptop with the parameters described above will be your faithful friend and assistant.
Hard drive and RAM
Not only is the processor important for audio recording, but also RAM. It is used when writing music during preview. And even when using VST, editing samples and information. If you want your software to work fully, then there should be at least 2 GB of RAM. Moreover, this thing can be easily changed or added, unlike a processor. It's worth remembering that most software synthesizers take up several gigabytes.
One hundred percent users will want to use samples, which they also eat quite a lot. This can be from 20 GB or more. Therefore, when choosing hard drive, you have to be prepared to fork out for 200 GB or more. Then you will receive a complete and comfortable work with sound. But if we talk about disk speed, then it must be more than 7200 RPM.
Software and screen brightness
Eat special programs to set the operating mode. You can immediately set the screen brightness, turn off unnecessary processes and so on. Next, you save the settings and use them every time you work with sound. Typically, these programs are already installed on the PC. But if we take into account the screen, then you can choose any one. Don't forget that more resources are used when the brightness of the monitor is higher.
If the gadget is used during a live performance, then the brightness is simply reduced to suit your taste. But when you need a laptop as a sound module, you don’t have to use the screen at all. The types of matrix are not important either, because you are not a designer, but a musician.
MacBook Air
Nowadays, for writing music, this is considered the most powerful laptop model. It has a fifth-generation processor, which is capable of opening up various and great possibilities for writing tracks. The laptop weighs quite little, so it's easy to move around. Due to the fact that all the storage devices in the gadget are compact, you will find a lot of space inside to install a battery that can work for about 12 hours without charging. And if users also enable special function, then the laptop can safely receive email when in sleep mode. The interface of the gadget itself is wonderful.
With it, you can learn easily and make any music to your taste. If we talk about RAM, it is 8 gigabytes. This device houses and special applications, thanks to which you are allowed to change any song. And this application is quite easy to use. The MacBook is ready to boast of a visual equalizer, as well as compression. As many users note, thanks to this device they created many tracks. And quickly, efficiently and without nerves. Of course, the Apple company is not just famous for iPhones and other gadgets on its market.
ASUS N75s
Another representative of recording gadgets. The laptop screen is 17.3 inches. It also has a built-in processor of a new generation, which has a simply wonderful frequency. RAM is 8 GB. The device manufacturers decided to put two here hard drives. Each has a capacity of 750 GB. As for weight, it only weighs 3.6 kilograms. The laptop has a built-in discrete card, the memory of which is designed for 2 GB.
This computer is great not only for creating tracks, but is also useful for modern computer toys. He is ready to boast of built-in speakers. Without them, after all, there’s nowhere. And their sizes are quite large. The laptop also comes with a subwoofer with a special connector. The sound card allows the device to sound simply gorgeous. Therefore, when you turn on your written music, you can hear all the subtleties of the sound in levels.
While listening, users can hear bass quite often in a variety of songs. This laptop model is great for writing music. The only negative is the price. However, if you are willing to spend money on it, you definitely won’t regret it.
Video: Laptop for writing music 2017
original text by logicalincrements.com
Relevance: November 2018
Building a computer for making music is quite challenging task, since during the assembly process it is necessary not only to clearly understand how the computer components will affect performance, but also to ensure maximum compatibility your PC with the desired peripherals, audio interfaces, and various possibilities your DAW.
In this article, you will learn how to assemble a workstation that will effectively handle any tasks that may arise while working with audio.
We shared this article for 3 chapters:
Important: In addition to the components, you should not forget about the operating system, as it must be purchased separately.
For beginners ($600)
This assembly is perfect for students, as well as all beginners in sound production. We aimed to create universal car to create music and sound editing. Build can boast large storage, excellent characteristics for working with audio, as well as a foundation for future upgrades. PC earns every penny invested in it.
If we talk about sound processing, modern motherboards have no problems with this - the built-in sound chips cope with their task. If you are concerned about the quality of the built-in sound, take the time to read reviews of the desired motherboard, or better yet, purchase a PCIe sound card.
As already mentioned, decide on the number of hard disks. For many users, two will be enough, but as workflows are streamlined to be faster and more efficient, many are faced with running out of space. Do not forget that SSDs and HDDs operate on SATA ports, and high-speed M.2 SSDs are connected to a special M.2 port on the board, or to PCIe, but using a special adapter.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The power supply is very important for any computer, as no one wants that if it breaks, all the equipment will suddenly burn out. It is impossible to determine the quality of a power supply by eye, unless of course you are an engineer, so before purchasing you need to consult with reliable sources. Choose a power supply with a rating of 80 (Bronze or higher) as they are highly energy efficient, quiet and reliable. You will find a detailed article on how to choose a power supply
Chapter 3: Peripherals for music production and audio editing.
PCIe Sound Cards
Although the built-in audio is motherboards has made a big step forward in terms of quality, it still doesn't compare to internal standalone sound cards, especially when it comes to driving high-impedance high-end headphones, for example.
First level: Asus Xonar DGX GX2.5
A 96KHz/24bit DAC would be a good upgrade for the money. The card also boasts Dolby Headphone 5.1 HD compatibility, which is a huge plus, especially if you'll be outputting the audio in 5.1 and listening to it on suitable headphones
Upgrade: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX
Here we pay more for the mic inputs as well as the 7.1 output. The DAC is 24 bit / 192 kHz, so you will be satisfied with the accuracy of sound reproduction.
About: Asus Essence STX II
If you are building a serious system without a DAC/AMP, then you will still have to fork out for an internal high-performance and high-quality solution. IN in this case, Asus has put together a top professional card with a 600ohm headphone amplifier and an incredibly low signal-to-noise ratio of just 123dB. If this is not enough, then add here the ability to change operational amplifiers– they are installed in special connectors. The icing on the cake will be support for Dolby Home Theater, as well as high-sensitivity IEM headphones.
External DAC and AMP
While an internal sound card is an excellent choice for convenience and reducing the number of exposed wires, their performance is highly susceptible to internal electromagnetic interference. computer case. This is the reason why most professionals use external digital-to-analog converters(abbreviated DAC), as well as amplifiers (AMP). The budget level of this segment in terms of price coincides with budget segment internal sound cards, but the top segment in price terms is as unimaginably high as that of monitors, microphones and headphones.
First level: Creative Sound Blaster E1
A great DAC/AMP for beginners. It offers only basic functionality without any frills.
Upgrade: Schiit Fulla 2
If you've decided to take your audio work more seriously, then the Fulla 2 is for you - this little box just oozes quality! It has enough power to drive even very high impedance monitors, and it also features a high-quality 1/4″ headphone output (plus a 3.5mm adapter). The full-size volume knob allows you to adjust the output level with pinpoint precision.
For professionals: Audio-GD NFB 11.28
If you go to the website of this company and worry about how outdated it looks, you can stumble upon this model and understand that for the required heap of money you will be rewarded in full - the DAC/AMP is completely suitable for professional studio use and has in its arsenal absolutely everything that can please the demanding professional.
Studio: Questyle CMA400i
The choice of professional musicians, audio engineers, and home users alike, this DAC/AMP costs more than the entire budget build presented in Chapter #1. Few can afford this thing, but those who were lucky enough to own it wrote laudatory reviews of it. It has all the features of the devices mentioned below. Why, the functionality of this DAC is much wider, plus everything here is performed at a qualitatively different level.
USB interfaces
If you plan to record audio from a microphone (not USB) or an external musical instrument, then you need a USB interface.
First level: Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
Let's start with a good budget UMC22. This interface is quite simple - 2 inputs/2 outputs, low latency, and gain control on each channel. A bonus here is the presence of phantom power.
Upgrade: Focusrite Scarlett Solo
This interface is an improved version of Focusrite Solo - instead of one input, we already have 4. A real professional device with a corresponding price tag.
Studio: Universal Audio Apollo Twin
This big boy is the king USB interfaces for PC. Created for demanding professionals who demand only one thing from hardware - unsurpassed quality. Twin has everything - from real-time UAD processing to a bunch of Universal Audio plugins included. Just a dream.
Microphones
Most beginners choose the Blue Yeti Snowball. IN given choice there's nothing wrong because USB microphone is an excellent choice in terms of convenience and ease of use - pure plug and play.
However, this article is aimed more at people who are willing to sacrifice convenience for the sake of quality, options and future upgrade opportunities for their workstation. It is for this reason that in this collection Only XLR microphones that require an audio interface to work with a PC were included.
First level: Shure SM-48
Inexpensive and durable dynamic microphone from one of the market leaders professional microphones. In terms of quality, it is slightly inferior to the classic SM-58, but it also costs an order of magnitude cheaper, which makes it an excellent candidate for microphones for beginners.
Upgrade: Audio Technica AT2020
This is the only condenser microphone on this list because it has condenser microphones more sensitive recording technology, which also requires phantom power, which ultimately leads to a poor price-performance ratio. Nevertheless, this model quite popular and has grown over time big amount positive feedback and reviews. For those who are still attracted USB solutions, can buy USB version of this microphone, which will cost more than $30 bucks.
Today we will talk about the main component in a home recording studio, namely the computer. Now it’s the 21st century and it’s not surprising that almost no one uses tape recorders at home, even despite their certain advantages. That's why the central brain of a recording studio is now the computer. Well, the actual tool is the installed software for recording music.
In this material, I will not recommend in detail any specific computer configurations, since there is simply no point in doing so. But there is no point because computers become obsolete faster than we can come to our senses. Even if I were now recommending something super modern, by the time you watch it, this modern thing will probably already be outdated. Therefore, I am not going to pour excess water.
If you are the owner of a good modern computer, then perhaps you don’t need to read further. But if you are planning to purchase new computer or modernize the old one, then you might want to listen to my advice. Many of those who are going to buy a computer for working with sound may ask the following question: “ Which is better, desktop computer (PC), MAC or laptop?“Perhaps my answer will surprise you, but I always answer simply: “ Take what you like best«.
In fact, the main requirements for a computer in a studio are the following:
- high performance (processor power, amount of RAM and physical memory);
- high-quality and low-noise cooling system;
- stable and reliable software.
All the rest (appearance, monitor diagonal or dimensions system unit) - this is a matter of personal taste and preference. This will not affect the sound quality in any way. Also, a digital porto studio can act as the brain of a recording studio. Although I personally think that a computer is much more convenient. Of course, if you plan to constantly travel, record rehearsals and live concerts, then the Porto studio here will be more convenient for you than a computer. However, for a home recording studio, I don’t see any particular advantages in it.
Now let's talk about software. Some sound engineers may have questions regarding software selection. Questions might sound like: “ Which program is cool? What program is best to record vocals, etc.". Well, what is there to answer! How would you answer the question: “ Which car is the best? Which car is better to drive around the city, which tires are the coolest, and so on". Got the point!
Rather than answer these pointless questions, I'll just give you some tips and tricks on recording studio software:
- You can start working with any program. The main thing is that this program is professional, that it is modern and has all the necessary capabilities.
- sound quality of most modern professional programs practically no different. Yes, I have no doubt that this statement may be controversial. However, no matter how many tests were carried out, they did not find any significant differences in the quality of the recordings. There were some differences in the nature of the sound, but this is completely different. And as for quality multimedia programs in comparison with professional ones, I’ll say right away: “ Yes!“There is a difference in quality and it is significant.
- you don't need a lot of programs. It is enough to have one multitracker and one audio editor. This is enough to solve almost all basic problems. There's no point in cluttering your computer a huge amount unnecessary programs. Especially if these programs have nothing to do with music.
These were the top tips for music software and choosing a computer for a music recording studio. I end here, since there is simply no point in telling anything else in detail. Next time we'll start talking about the first component hardware complex home studio, namely about
The first thing we need for a home studio is a computer. You probably already have one, and most likely we can adapt it for the studio and save your budget. But in any case, it is worth considering the nuances that influence the choice of computer.
Music studio computer: Mac or PC
This choice depends on your personal preferences, but it affects the ability to choose the software that you will use to create music, namely: on a PC you will not be able to use Logic Pro, and on a Mac you will not have access to FL Studio (Fruity Loops). I myself was previously a convinced Windows fan, but it was music that pushed me to switch to Mac - and since then I have never regretted it. And, according to my observations, the pros usually lean towards Mac, although, again, this is your choice and there is no single correct answer.
Desktop or laptop
There are no strict recommendations here either. If you are going to make music only at home, then you can safely choose a desktop, and if you plan, for example, to perform as a DJ in clubs, go to the studio or outdoors, be inspired by landscapes to write a composition, etc. - then, obviously, you need a laptop. Nowadays laptops are no longer inferior desktop computers, except for video performance (we are interested in sound, right?), and the built-in sound card will have to be replaced with an external one in any case. You can combine both options and use a desktop at home, and a laptop for work “in the field”. I myself work for MacBook laptop Pro 15.
System performance
Your computer needs to be fast enough to serve as the heart of your music studio. By fast enough, I mean processor performance (we are not interested in video, unless, of course, you are going to play the new part of your favorite video game on the same computer). It’s good if it’s a 2-core Intel Core (better than a 4-core Intel Core i-5) and higher with at least 2GB (better 4-8GB) of RAM - more, not less. The main thing is not to forget about reasonable boundaries and not to spend 100,000 rubles on just one computer - it will only be wasted money, and it will not give any special advantages. It's better to invest in an audio interface or monitors.
Why is productivity important? Because in the software that is used to create music, when a track is played, it is processed in real time, but with a slow processor this is impossible - and you will not be able to write a new musical hit.
Interfaces
The last thing you should pay attention to is the interfaces that your computer is equipped with. It's unlikely that you don't have enough USB ports that are used to connect audio and MIDI interfaces, but with FireWire (IEEE 1394) the situation may be different. IN Lately in the PC camp there has been an unhealthy tendency to ignore this interface, which you may need to connect some noteworthy sound cards to your computer. Fortunately, Apple, as the developer of this interface, continues to support it, and for new laptops in which the FireWire connector does not fit in thickness, they have released a FireWire adapter from the increasingly popular Thunderbolt interface.
Why FireWire if there are such problems with it? Why not use simple and convenient USB? There is an opinion that using FireWire is preferable because USB was developed as a simple and cheap interface for data transfer, and FireWire as an interface designed to work with audio-video information that is sensitive to delays. I don't know how relevant this is now. I think that at the time when these interfaces were just appearing, this was true, but a lot of time has passed since then, several USB updates have been released ( USB version 3.0, only there are practically no sound cards with its support) and everything could change. We can only say with 100% certainty that you will not be able to use a FireWire sound card if the computer does not have FireWire.
