Clients wants Professional Audio Workstation

[bamacre]

He wants a Windows-based professional audio workstation.

What do you guys recommend as far as Sound Card, he wants to hook this up to an amp, mixer, and whatever else. Also, should I go Pentium or AMD 64?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Processor choise is up to you. Get lots of RAM and Wester Digital Raptor Drives. so there is the least chance for skipping. For the sound card, maybe a maya44 pro sound card for an entry level card, or for higher end something from Digital Audia labs which will run about $400. Plus for this you will need good speakers.

 

[imported_Kensai]

What kind of budget?

 

[T9D]

If he is making it for recording then you are going to need to find out exactly what he wants to do on it. You are going to need to go do a LOT of research because there are a TON of sound cards and breakout boxes out there are any given price between a couple hundred dollars and thousands of dollars. Should really go to a recording and music forum for this.

 

[T9D]

Here is a good place to start getting an idea about prices and feature. The emu stuff is supposed to be really good as is M-audio: http://www.music123.com/Audio-Interfaces-d2245.music

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: tk109
If he is making it for recording then you are going to need to find out exactly what he wants to do on it. You are going to need to go do a LOT of research because there are a TON of sound cards and breakout boxes out there are any given price between a couple hundred dollars and thousands of dollars. Should really go to a recording and music forum for this.

exactly...what mixer, how many inputs, what type, etc. find out what software he's using and go to the forums for that software (nuendo and cubase both have exellent forums, IIRC)

I have some experience in this area, and generally speaking, I think the best pro audio company out there is RME, hands down.

http://www.rme-audio.com/

Software and drivers are top notch and very professional, tech support is very helpful and they never B.S. to cover their own f-ups (unlike m-audio..)

 

[bamacre]

Thanks guys, very very helpful.

 

[minofifa]

i've learned pretty much all i know about recording / audio production from www.homerecording.com. there is tonnes of information there.

as suggested, a gig of ram is expected
at least 2 HD's, one for applications, one for recording onto, they should be decently fast too.
soundcards vary widely. RME was mentioned and is a very very good soundcard company, one of the best. if he wants top notch, i would suggest lynx audio, very pricy though.
A fire wire port is useful for external HD's and many external soundcards.
one overlooked feature is a two-monitor setup. it really increases work flow. if he doesn't want two monitors right now, at least give him a video card that can use two monitors in the future.

finally stability is key. it can't have any hickups at all. soundcards seem tohave problems with certain types of chipsets. make sure parts are compatable.

 

[Aenslead]

I am very interested on this too. I would like to know a setup recomendation. Budget is not important. Is a Mac better for these tasks? What do you suggest for a HIGH END audio station?

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, I am assuming his budget is under 2k, so we are talking about entry level stuff. Stability was something I was thinking of, so SATA RAID 1, XP Pro, Asus or Abit mobo, full GB of ram. I also considered dual monitors, which would be over his budget, but a good dual dvi video card is a definate, and not very expensive today. He's going to get back to me with more details on what he needs. I just wanted to get a head start. Thanks again, guys, really appreciate it.

 

[Aenslead]

suggestions, come on.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Well, I can't throw out any suggestions without a budget limit. If we're talking 5K, hell you can get a *very* nice dual, dual-core Opteron.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Is it going to be semi-portable? If the machine is to be very close to instruments, mics and amps, then I would think absolute quiet and solid emi shielding are two "musts".

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Is it going to be semi-portable? If the machine is to be very close to instruments, mics and amps, then I would think absolute quiet and solid emi shielding are two "musts".

Well he mentioned a laptop, is this possible for a nice semi-pro audio system, within 2 or 3k?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

With a laptop, you're limited to external sound cards. And laptops are way more expensive, if you need high performance.

I think you need to start with the sound card and it's stuff, and build around that.

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Is it going to be semi-portable? If the machine is to be very close to instruments, mics and amps, then I would think absolute quiet and solid emi shielding are two "musts".

Well he mentioned a laptop, is this possible for a nice semi-pro audio system, within 2 or 3k?

I did location recording for music students and local bands for a few years, using a laptop and RME Hammerfall DSP multiface. One hell of a lot of good sounding 24/96 I/O for a setup that fit in a backpack and didn't need a wall socket .

If it's for recording only, a $2k powerbook + Hammerfall cardbus + multiface is easily within that budget (not counting software). Ibook would work too, you just might be more limited in regards to effects and simultaneous tracks. of course a desktop would be even better and more flexible in regards to interfaces.

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

I think you need to start with the sound card and it's stuff, and build around that.

I would say start with the software, and build around that.