creating a jingle studio on the cheap

[PlugHead]

OK,

Here's the challenge: I want to build a portable, yet fairly powerful workstation to create jingles, and basic audio production (i.e. not more than 2 AD/DA's, etc.).

NO Mac/PC wars please!!! This is to evaluate which direction is best for the intended purpose only...

Whatever is the best SW (incl. samplers/libraries, etc) and sequencer, with basic, but quality I/O's to record V/O's and/or instruments as needed. No extras included or needed (i.e. mic's, cabling, etc...) just the absolute best solution to building tracks intended for jingles/commercials.

Might also be wise to exclude the HUGE (and pricey) sample libraries - this is not for Coke/Ford clientele, but basic jingle writing without ALL the frills...

I will not attach a ceiling on the budget - but let's say under 5 grand USD incl. computer.

Have at it!

[manning1]

if your willing to use lots of midi tracks and outboard midi modules...
u dont necessarily need a very powerfull pc....
many jingles were done that way in the past.
thus first question.......are u willing to consider that option.
?????
also what are your max track needs....??
and plug in/softsynth iteration needs if your going this route ??
ie...how many tracks/fx/plug ins max per jingle song ??

[chrispick]

Is there a jingle industry?

Seems to me that, if there's any production approximately "jingle writing," it's done in-house at radio affiliates using prefab audio for pennies.

[Henchman]

A dualcore Core 2 Duo PC.
Absynth, Hypersonic, Massive, Groove Agent 2.
With the quality of Virtual instruments, i don't think you'd necessarilly need expensive libraries at all.
Cubase.
And something like a firebox or similar for I/O.
That's a good start right there.
If you bought a good fast used laptop, the whole thing would eb portable as well.
You could go around to clients, and work with them on the spot.

I just spent $1300,- on a 3 month old T7200 Core 2 Duo laptop that screams. Saving myself $1k. And it's still got a 3 year warranty.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by manning1

if your willing to use lots of midi tracks and outboard midi modules...
u dont necessarily need a very powerfull pc....
many jingles were done that way in the past.
thus first question.......are u willing to consider that option.
?????
also what are your max track needs....??
and plug in/softsynth iteration needs if your going this route ??
ie...how many tracks/fx/plug ins max per jingle song ??

manning1:

The primary issue is the computer and HW/SW play well together: I don't think I've ever used more than 48 tracks on ANY pjt., next to film mixes...

I want Hi Q sounds - never been knocked out by the standard sets with Logic etc., so am looking for great SW instruments, no cheeseball sounds. I want well rounded libraries with great strings, synths, kit (loops and plain ind. instruments) bass, and brass etc.

That's about it - this is for a 'sketchpad': something that is bulletproof and easy to create on when travelling, and can be exported to a better mixing machine when appropriate...

thx,

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by chrispick

Is there a jingle industry?

Seems to me that, if there's any production approximately "jingle writing," it's done in-house at radio affiliates using prefab audio for pennies.

Yes and No: sometimes clients aren't happy with what shlock the stations have in their 'royalty-free' libraries, and these outdated, overused snippets are driving clientele to find people to customize their ads...

That said, the days of arrangers/producers and a room full of union musicians are long gone...

regards,

[Henchman]

There's also a plug-in called Synful Orchestra.
I'll check it out, and let you know how it sounds.

I bought one og theose MAudio O2 slim keyboards. You could probably fit that
inside a briefca with your laptop.
Get a pair of portable speakers, and soemthing like even an M-Audio transit, and you've got a super portable system.
And with a Core 2 Duo processor, you'll ahve tons of power.
I hear that the XLN AAddictive drums are quite good as well.

[manning1]

plughead....
well if your talking sw instruments...be prepared to shell out for a beefy
pc costing some buks. like henches core duo 2.
vurtual instruments n many instances of them can consume lots of pc resources.
but i wouldnt run out n buy the pc first.
u should decide FIRSTLY on the SW instruments you want to use.
THEN i would suggest....for safetys sake/your sanity.... contact the respective manufacturers of these SW instruments/samplers/plug ins/whatever and see what they suggest re pc configs.
reason i say this is ive seen lots of folks buy the pc first without thinking... then find out it didnt have enough power to handle the many instances the user needed of SW instruments.
many users of band in a box and power tracks are useing various libraries n samplers etc. ones i read on the forums are garritan orchestra and NI bandstand and many others. you might check with these folks at pgmusic.com. on the forums.
they are useing all sorts with biab n powertracks. which have been used by lots of folks to write everything from jingles to full blown songs.

[Henchman]

I've been using SW Synths, and I can run alot of stuff without the processor even giving a hickup.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by Henchman

I've been using SW Synths, and I can run alot of stuff without the processor even giving a hickup.

How about with that old eMachines lappie of yours (AMD64/3000+)? I still have the same unit here (typing on it ATM!!!)

Does it provide enough poop to run a bunch of VI's?

thx,

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

How about with that old eMachines lappie of yours (AMD64/3000+)? I still have the same unit here (typing on it ATM!!!)

Does it provide enough poop to run a bunch of VI's?

thx,

Definitely not as much as the current one.
But, it worked very well. Some of the new softsynths just use more, like Massive. Which still runs really smooth on the new laptop.
But try some of them on the AMD. If done lots of stuff on mine.

[the tortoise]

I do exactly the same work in my studio.

It's best to get the most computer power possible to allow you to use all the new lovely sound-making plugins and apps that are the jungle-writer's friends. So remember; max out that RAM and don't skimp on the hard drives!

Here would be my suggestion for a portable pro tools studio;

MacBookPro - MBox2Pro - Komplete 4 - Atmosphere - Stylus RMX - Strike - EastWest Symphonic Orchestra Gold - EastWest RA - Izotope Ozone or McDSP Producer Pack or something for mixing and finishing

Should cover all bases fairly well. You never mentioned monitors or control surfaces.

An alternative would replace Po Tools with Logic or possibly DP and the MBox with a Focusrite Saffire or Presonus Firebox or something similar.

And if you need a good MIDI controller, the Novation ReMOTE SL is great. With the automapping feature I just can't imagine assigning things myself anymore. Works with every app too.


Good Luck!



the tortoise