Comments on: Straight Out of No-Cash 1: How to Make Hi-Fi PC Music on a Lo-Fi Budget http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/ The latest gear, software, and techniques for electronic music production and performance Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:43:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Investblogger http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-408190 Investblogger Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:13:51 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-408190 Greetings, My name is Sanches and I just signed up. I wasn't sure where to make this post, and my apologies, if I posted inappropriately, please advise. About this time last year, I found information about investment programs, that do not trade publicly. The earnings, which participants could receive by participating in such private clubs, seemed unrealistically high at first, but as I studied more reviews about them, I started to invest. These days, I consider myself as the successful player. To take my online adventures on the next level, I established the blog, which shows detailed information about real investment funds. If you would like to see my blog, <a href="http://WWW.GOLDBATCHGAME.COM" rel="nofollow">click here</a>. I would appreciate user's comments. Greetings,
My name is Sanches and I just signed up. I wasn’t sure where to make this post, and my apologies, if I posted inappropriately,
please advise.
About this time last year, I found information about
investment programs, that do not trade publicly. The earnings, which participants could
receive by participating in such private clubs, seemed
unrealistically high at
first, but as I studied more reviews about them, I started to
invest. These days, I consider
myself as the successful
player. To take my online adventures on the next level, I
established the blog, which
shows detailed information
about real investment
funds. If you would like to see my
blog, click here.
I would appreciate
user’s comments.

]]> By: Peitres Anderton http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-300082 Peitres Anderton Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:56:54 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-300082 I think the issue with regards to price is really total cost of ownership (TCO). Here the biggest cost usually isn't the initial outlay for the system but the costs relating to maintence and downtime. The questions you need to ask yourself is how much time do you want to spend maintaning and fixing your computer, how much downtime can you afford, what system is going to be cheapest to fix? You might be willing to spend time fixing and maintaning yourself, and learning how to do so. Or you might have tech savy friends who can help out cheaply or freely. Or you might need to rely on paid for professional tech support. These are the things to keep in mind. From my experience as a computer tech, Mac issues are rarer but usually more expensive to fix (unless you know what you're doing or have a friend). Mac hardware issues most often require taking it to an Apple Service Centre (depending on your mac skills), so how good/fast/cheap your local Apple repair place is, is an issue. If it's under warranty, then cost isn't a problem. The same is true for brand name PCs. Once out of warranty, many hardware problems in Mac land (or with PC laptops) you are better off buying a new machine. With Laptops and Apples, if you buy new then get an extended warranty. Repairs after warranty easily reach 80%+ cost of a new machine. And for 2nd hand machines (out of warranty) don't pay more than 50% cost of a new machine, whatever the specs. Hardware repairs for a Desktop PC, home built or brand name, are usually only the cost of replacing the faulty component and labour. Parts and labour are plentiful and cheap. There's a PC store on every corner in the western world. Software issues are far more common on PCs, but you are more likely to get free or cheap help, or find answers on the web. Mac software support is often harder to find, and more expensive, but Macs don't seem to get the driver conflicts, software incompatibilities, viruses and malware that PCs get far as often. So, you might consider how much you already know about computers, who you know who can help, and the price/quality of any paid for support you might need. I think the issue with regards to price is really total cost of ownership (TCO). Here the biggest cost usually isn’t the initial outlay for the system but the costs relating to maintence and downtime.

The questions you need to ask yourself is how much time do you want to spend maintaning and fixing your computer, how much downtime can you afford, what system is going to be cheapest to fix?

You might be willing to spend time fixing and maintaning yourself, and learning how to do so. Or you might have tech savy friends who can help out cheaply or freely. Or you might need to rely on paid for professional tech support.

These are the things to keep in mind. From my experience as a computer tech, Mac issues are rarer but usually more expensive to fix (unless you know what you’re doing or have a friend).

Mac hardware issues most often require taking it to an Apple Service Centre (depending on your mac skills), so how good/fast/cheap your local Apple repair place is, is an issue. If it’s under warranty, then cost isn’t a problem. The same is true for brand name PCs. Once out of warranty, many hardware problems in Mac land (or with PC laptops) you are better off buying a new machine.

With Laptops and Apples, if you buy new then get an extended warranty. Repairs after warranty easily reach 80%+ cost of a new machine. And for 2nd hand machines (out of warranty) don’t pay more than 50% cost of a new machine, whatever the specs.

Hardware repairs for a Desktop PC, home built or brand name, are usually only the cost of replacing the faulty component and labour. Parts and labour are plentiful and cheap. There’s a PC store on every corner in the western world.

Software issues are far more common on PCs, but you are more likely to get free or cheap help, or find answers on the web. Mac software support is often harder to find, and more expensive, but Macs don’t seem to get the driver conflicts, software incompatibilities, viruses and malware that PCs get far as often.

So, you might consider how much you already know about computers, who you know who can help, and the price/quality of any paid for support you might need.

]]> By: RAFAEL SOSA http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-292917 RAFAEL SOSA Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:48:12 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-292917 GREAT ARTICLE TO START A HOME STUDIO. THANKS GUYS! GREAT ARTICLE TO START A HOME STUDIO. THANKS GUYS!

]]> By: Chris B http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-172166 Chris B Mon, 07 May 2007 22:50:24 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-172166 <strong><i>Originally posted by MattC</i></strong> <i>"But if you want to become serious with recording, I suggest a PC. If you are just a musician trying to lay a few tracks down with good quality, get a Mac if you want."</i> Ok this would be why 99% of the worlds <i>professional</i> studios are running Macs exclusively. Originally posted by MattC

“But if you want to become serious with recording, I suggest a PC. If you are just a musician trying to lay a few tracks down with good quality, get a Mac if you want.”

Ok this would be why 99% of the worlds professional studios are running Macs exclusively.

]]> By: JC http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-159267 JC Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:27:20 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-159267 Hey...I'm a guitarist looking to make some pretty basic recordings and am caught up in the whole big mac v pc debate. My main query though is what do you need to get software instruments with a midi controller on a pc? I know with garageband on mac they are all built in and i would like to use many of these, but was wondering about the pc alternative mainly down to cost! I live in Uk and Apple charge even higher prices here compared to US! Hey…I’m a guitarist looking to make some pretty basic recordings and am caught up in the whole big mac v pc debate.
My main query though is what do you need to get software instruments with a midi controller on a pc? I know with garageband on mac they are all built in and i would like to use many of these, but was wondering about the pc alternative mainly down to cost! I live in Uk and Apple charge even higher prices here compared to US!

]]> By: MattC http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-156665 MattC Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:22:13 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-156665 Ok I'm refering back to the poster "me": Stop trying to pretend that you know what your talking about. I have PT on my windows at home and I haven't had any trouble. Im not talking about bang for your buck either. I am talking about performance. It isn't that hard to get another computer for recreational use. Just make sure there is no internet connection on your PC and your good to go. I have been in a band for 5 years and have recorded 4 albums (only one of which is a demo). I've seen the differences in Mac and PC. PC isn't any worse or better than Mac is. The programs are just different. Mac has always tried to be the easy to use computer, and PC just looks at performance and quality. If you can't figure a PC out and you don't feel like taking the time to, go ahead and get a Mac or go home. But if you want to become serious with recording, I suggest a PC. If you are just a musician trying to lay a few tracks down with good quality, get a Mac if you want. Ok I’m refering back to the poster “me”:
Stop trying to pretend that you know what your talking about. I have PT on my windows at home and I haven’t had any trouble. Im not talking about bang for your buck either. I am talking about performance. It isn’t that hard to get another computer for recreational use. Just make sure there is no internet connection on your PC and your good to go.

I have been in a band for 5 years and have recorded 4 albums (only one of which is a demo). I’ve seen the differences in Mac and PC. PC isn’t any worse or better than Mac is. The programs are just different. Mac has always tried to be the easy to use computer, and PC just looks at performance and quality. If you can’t figure a PC out and you don’t feel like taking the time to, go ahead and get a Mac or go home. But if you want to become serious with recording, I suggest a PC. If you are just a musician trying to lay a few tracks down with good quality, get a Mac if you want.

]]> By: Emanuel Salamat http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-105098 Emanuel Salamat Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:26:30 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-105098 If my pc is on and I then put on my keyboard (Trinity - USBconnection), the pc goes off. I have to turn off the power source to the pc for a while before it will boot up again. Any ideas what is the cause? have been living with that probs for some time and take to switching on my Trinity before booting up my pc as a matter of convenience. Help!!!! If my pc is on and I then put on my keyboard (Trinity - USBconnection), the pc goes off. I have to turn off the power source to the pc for a while before it will boot up again. Any ideas what is the cause? have been living with that probs for some time and take to switching on my Trinity before booting up my pc as a matter of convenience. Help!!!!

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]]> By: dan http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-52485 dan Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:19:22 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-52485 good article adrian, and it's nice to see some considered feedback comments too... although for beginners there's no real compelling reason to go either for PC or Mac, that's always going to be a contentious topic! for the Windows XP PC musician, there are a few tweaks that can improve the performance of your rig, the main ones being to set processor scheduling to prioritise background services (this is good for ASIO), disable visual effects and power managment. for more info on these (and other XP tweaks for your DAW) try <a href="http://www.podcomplex.com/pc" title="Podcomplex" rel="nofollow"> the Podcomplex PC Guide </a>. Of course, if you can, it is a good idea to have a dedicated hard drive for your OS and another for your audio...but any system you buy today will run programs such as Reason fine straight out of the box. I would always point any beginner to Reason as the perfect starting point for making music on a computer... good article adrian, and it’s nice to see some considered feedback comments too… although for beginners there’s no real compelling reason to go either for PC or Mac, that’s always going to be a contentious topic! for the Windows XP PC musician, there are a few tweaks that can improve the performance of your rig, the main ones being to set processor scheduling to prioritise background services (this is good for ASIO), disable visual effects and power managment. for more info on these (and other XP tweaks for your DAW) try the Podcomplex PC Guide . Of course, if you can, it is a good idea to have a dedicated hard drive for your OS and another for your audio…but any system you buy today will run programs such as Reason fine straight out of the box. I would always point any beginner to Reason as the perfect starting point for making music on a computer…

]]> By: Todd http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-32039 Todd Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:05:30 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/12/straight-out-of-no-cash-1-how-to-make-hi-fi-pc-music-on-a-lo-fi-budget/#comment-32039 I have an IBM ThinkPad Pentium III, running Win 98. I downloaded shareware "Audacity" onto it, and bought a good mic. All I want is to lay down guitar track, possible keyboard (midi?) and a dummy vocal track at a very modest cost. What's next? an audio interface? sound card? Are laptops okay to use? I heard USB is taxing and that I need FireWire....I'm confused. Thanks. Todd I have an IBM ThinkPad Pentium III, running Win 98. I downloaded shareware “Audacity” onto it, and bought a good mic. All I want is to lay down guitar track, possible keyboard (midi?) and a dummy vocal track at a very modest cost. What’s next? an audio interface? sound card? Are laptops okay to use? I heard USB is taxing and that I need FireWire….I’m confused. Thanks.

Todd

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