Getting Started - PC requirements for basic home recording

reverberocket2 · May 20th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Hi All,

I've been on the TDPRI for a while but new to this forum.

Anyway I'd like to get started doing some home recording. Im a PC guy and it's time to get a new one.

To get into home recording what kind of requirements should I have for my new PC as as memory, hard drive size, usb or other connections, hardware etc.

Also what's the easiest recording software to start out on: reaper, garageband?

r
Thanks

Tim Armstrong · May 20th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Load as much memory as your computer will take, go with the fastest drives you can get (and I prefer having two hard drives, with the second dedicated for music only), and it's handy to have USB and Firewire ports so you can use pretty much any of the devices out there. Oh, and a decent soundcard (I kinda like M-Audio cards) with at least two imputs and MIDI in/out.

Cheers, Tim

winny pooh · May 20th, 2008, 12:47 PM

It also depends how many tracks and whether at 16 or 24 bit. The more tracks and higher bit depth and plugins the more power you will need.

Nowadays a decent rig starts at:
Dual core, 2gig Ram, 2X hard drives (maybe 320GB each), firewire if need be.

From there the sky is the limit and interfaces are a whole nother story. If you are going protools then check the hardware first as there are many incompatibilities re mother boards etc, You may be best off doing a search no matter what software you are using to see if any others have had a problem.

woodman · May 20th, 2008, 12:48 PM

GarageBand is a great introduction to computer-based recording *if you have a Mac.*

whichever platform you choose, i'd second Tim's motion about having a dedicated HD for music only -- it can really get dicey when you run off your system disc. Firewire rules in this department.

Tim Armstrong · May 20th, 2008, 01:31 PM

As for PC software, I use Reaper (really love it!), and I hear good things about MultiTrackStudio.

As with all software that does complicated stuff, be ready for a steep learning curve before it all makes sense!

Cheers, Tim

jackson_us5 · May 24th, 2008, 04:15 AM

It also depends how many tracks and whether at 16 or 24 bit. The more tracks and higher bit depth and plugins the more power you will need.

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May 20th, 2008, 12:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
reverberocket2 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 355	Getting Started - PC requirements for basic home recording Hi All, I've been on the TDPRI for a while but new to this forum. Anyway I'd like to get started doing some home recording. Im a PC guy and it's time to get a new one. To get into home recording what kind of requirements should I have for my new PC as as memory, hard drive size, usb or other connections, hardware etc. Also what's the easiest recording software to start out on: reaper, garageband? r Thanks

May 20th, 2008, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,654	Load as much memory as your computer will take, go with the fastest drives you can get (and I prefer having two hard drives, with the second dedicated for music only), and it's handy to have USB and Firewire ports so you can use pretty much any of the devices out there. Oh, and a decent soundcard (I kinda like M-Audio cards) with at least two imputs and MIDI in/out. Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

May 20th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,612 7 Photos	It also depends how many tracks and whether at 16 or 24 bit. The more tracks and higher bit depth and plugins the more power you will need. Nowadays a decent rig starts at: Dual core, 2gig Ram, 2X hard drives (maybe 320GB each), firewire if need be. From there the sky is the limit and interfaces are a whole nother story. If you are going protools then check the hardware first as there are many incompatibilities re mother boards etc, You may be best off doing a search no matter what software you are using to see if any others have had a problem. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

May 20th, 2008, 12:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,959	GarageBand is a great introduction to computer-based recording if you have a Mac. whichever platform you choose, i'd second Tim's motion about having a dedicated HD for music only -- it can really get dicey when you run off your system disc. Firewire rules in this department. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

May 20th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,654	As for PC software, I use Reaper (really love it!), and I hear good things about MultiTrackStudio. As with all software that does complicated stuff, be ready for a steep learning curve before it all makes sense! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

May 24th, 2008, 04:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
jackson_us5 Banned NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: chicago Age: 23 Posts: 4	It also depends how many tracks and whether at 16 or 24 bit. The more tracks and higher bit depth and plugins the more power you will need. Free TV