You don't say why you want to use a laptop for running a multitracking program. I have an 1100 running Sonar so I can't speak specifically to your situation.
Some drawbacks to using a laptop as the main DAW are:
they have a single, usually slow hard drive. I see this as the biggest problem. Ideally, you would want to have 2 hd's, spinning at least 7200 rpm. This is the way I set up my desktop DAW. I use the laptop for ancilliary projects. After about a dozen tracks with effects and whatnot, the laptop is redlining the disk throughput meter, where the desktop hasn't even worked up a sweat.
The 'soundcard' on a laptop is usually a chip integrated on the motherboard, not a SoundBlaster PCI card. The integrated audio is ok for amateur work -- putting that old Bee Gee's lp onto a cd (if the laptop has a line-in, which the 1100 doesn't). A SoundBlaster card is ok for hobbyist audio work. For pro audio, you need a pro card, and for recording more than 2 inputs simultaneously, you need a multi tracking card. So if you plan to do serious audio work, you will most likely be buying an add on 'card', probably a usb or firewire device, and make sure it is one recommended by Steinberg to work with Cubase.
Maybe someone will speak specifically about audio on the 8600. It would help if you outline how you plan to use it.
I can't say specifically about the 8600, but many of the Inspirons with grounded power adapters have serious ground loop issues. Even with an external card (Audigy 2 NX) on my 5150 its an issue unless I use an optical connection.
well, specifically, i plan to use the laptop to run cubase sx 2.0 as my main DAW. from there, i will be importing reason midi tracks through rewire, as well as various VSTi's, such as reaktor, battery, and probably cakewalk's project 5. in addition, i will be recording guitar and vocals and bass, though none of these will be more than one at a time.
i am purchasing the 60G, 7200 rpm hard drive, and plan on adding an external hard drive. is there an external hard drive that also acts as a midi, 1/4inch jack, mic interface?
thanks for all the help!
sirius b
SiriusB,
You don't say why you want to use a laptop for running a multitracking program. I have an 1100 running Sonar so I can't speak specifically to your situation.
Some drawbacks to using a laptop as the main DAW are:
they have a single, usually slow hard drive. I see this as the biggest problem. Ideally, you would want to have 2 hd's, spinning at least 7200 rpm. This is the way I set up my desktop DAW. I use the laptop for ancilliary projects. After about a dozen tracks with effects and whatnot, the laptop is redlining the disk throughput meter, where the desktop hasn't even worked up a sweat.
The 'soundcard' on a laptop is usually a chip integrated on the motherboard, not a SoundBlaster PCI card. The integrated audio is ok for amateur work -- putting that old Bee Gee's lp onto a cd (if the laptop has a line-in, which the 1100 doesn't). A SoundBlaster card is ok for hobbyist audio work. For pro audio, you need a pro card, and for recording more than 2 inputs simultaneously, you need a multi tracking card. So if you plan to do serious audio work, you will most likely be buying an add on 'card', probably a usb or firewire device, and make sure it is one recommended by Steinberg to work with Cubase.
Maybe someone will speak specifically about audio on the 8600. It would help if you outline how you plan to use it.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
March 12th, 2004 11:00
SiriusB,
You don't say why you want to use a laptop for running a multitracking program. I have an 1100 running Sonar so I can't speak specifically to your situation.
Some drawbacks to using a laptop as the main DAW are:
they have a single, usually slow hard drive. I see this as the biggest problem. Ideally, you would want to have 2 hd's, spinning at least 7200 rpm. This is the way I set up my desktop DAW. I use the laptop for ancilliary projects. After about a dozen tracks with effects and whatnot, the laptop is redlining the disk throughput meter, where the desktop hasn't even worked up a sweat.
The 'soundcard' on a laptop is usually a chip integrated on the motherboard, not a SoundBlaster PCI card. The integrated audio is ok for amateur work -- putting that old Bee Gee's lp onto a cd (if the laptop has a line-in, which the 1100 doesn't). A SoundBlaster card is ok for hobbyist audio work. For pro audio, you need a pro card, and for recording more than 2 inputs simultaneously, you need a multi tracking card. So if you plan to do serious audio work, you will most likely be buying an add on 'card', probably a usb or firewire device, and make sure it is one recommended by Steinberg to work with Cubase.
Maybe someone will speak specifically about audio on the 8600. It would help if you outline how you plan to use it.
Good luck, Jim
jk79
412 Posts
0
March 14th, 2004 00:00
I can't say specifically about the 8600, but many of the Inspirons with grounded power adapters have serious ground loop issues. Even with an external card (Audigy 2 NX) on my 5150 its an issue unless I use an optical connection.
JK
Sirius B
2 Posts
0
March 20th, 2004 20:00
well, specifically, i plan to use the laptop to run cubase sx 2.0 as my main DAW. from there, i will be importing reason midi tracks through rewire, as well as various VSTi's, such as reaktor, battery, and probably cakewalk's project 5. in addition, i will be recording guitar and vocals and bass, though none of these will be more than one at a time.
i am purchasing the 60G, 7200 rpm hard drive, and plan on adding an external hard drive. is there an external hard drive that also acts as a midi, 1/4inch jack, mic interface?
thanks for all the help!
sirius b
SiriusB,
You don't say why you want to use a laptop for running a multitracking program. I have an 1100 running Sonar so I can't speak specifically to your situation.
Some drawbacks to using a laptop as the main DAW are:
they have a single, usually slow hard drive. I see this as the biggest problem. Ideally, you would want to have 2 hd's, spinning at least 7200 rpm. This is the way I set up my desktop DAW. I use the laptop for ancilliary projects. After about a dozen tracks with effects and whatnot, the laptop is redlining the disk throughput meter, where the desktop hasn't even worked up a sweat.
The 'soundcard' on a laptop is usually a chip integrated on the motherboard, not a SoundBlaster PCI card. The integrated audio is ok for amateur work -- putting that old Bee Gee's lp onto a cd (if the laptop has a line-in, which the 1100 doesn't). A SoundBlaster card is ok for hobbyist audio work. For pro audio, you need a pro card, and for recording more than 2 inputs simultaneously, you need a multi tracking card. So if you plan to do serious audio work, you will most likely be buying an add on 'card', probably a usb or firewire device, and make sure it is one recommended by Steinberg to work with Cubase.
Maybe someone will speak specifically about audio on the 8600. It would help if you outline how you plan to use it.
Good luck, Jim