Firepod + Powerbook + cubase SL3 = good recording?

joemail75 · 16th February 2006, 12:01 AM

Anyone using this setup and able to do good recordings? I'm looking for basic recording/mixing capabitilties: 30+ tracks w/ multiple plug ins for demos and albums. I want to know if a good laptop (1.6 Ghtz; 1 G ram;) will be able to handle both the software (not real familiar w/ cubase) and the challenge of running a full tracking session and mix session. Again, I dont need mega-capacity, just able to do tracking and mixing with tracks and effects, cue mix, etc.
I like the portability of the laptop, but I don't want to run into crashing and processing speed problems. plus an upgrade to a dual core G5 is out of the price range.
just a yes or no from someone experienced with using cubase SL3 and powerbooks and maybe a firewire interface would be cool...don't need to know preferences or whats better...just will it do what i need. thanks alot.

Henchman · 16th February 2006, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemail75

Anyone using this setup and able to do good recordings? I'm looking for basic recording/mixing capabitilties: 30+ tracks w/ multiple plug ins for demos and albums.

Again, I dont need mega-capacity, just able to do tracking and mixing with tracks and effects, cue mix, etc.

You just cnatradicted yourself.

To do what you want to do, you want a pretty powerfull computer.
You are basically looking at a desktop replacement.

IMO, you want the fastest computer you can afford.

mopppish · 16th February 2006, 08:16 AM

30 tracks up and running on a powerbook should be fine, but no, you likely won't be able to have effects on all of the tracks. Probably a handful, but not all. Unless you are open to bouncing/freezing. Only one to three complex soft synths alone will kill it. Henchman is right- you should be looking at a desktop or desktop replacement. Otherwise, you need to lower you bar a little bit.

John Suitcase · 16th February 2006, 08:30 AM

If you're not using softsynths, etc., you could pick up an iMac. I use a 1.6 ghz G5 iMac with 1.25 gigs of ram and an external firewire drive and MOTU 828 with no problems to speak of. I use a lit of plug-ins, but no soft synths or midi stuff.

Considering how much cheaper an iMac is, and that you get the G5, it's a pretty good deal. And you can ge t case for it, if you like to record on location (like I do!)

Henchman · 16th February 2006, 08:35 AM

Basically, if you want to do real, complete production, you'll be out of luck with a powerbook.
I do all of my productionwork on my laptop. But it's a PC.

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16th February 2006, 12:01 AM	#1
joemail75 Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25	Firepod + Powerbook + cubase SL3 = good recording? Anyone using this setup and able to do good recordings? I'm looking for basic recording/mixing capabitilties: 30+ tracks w/ multiple plug ins for demos and albums. I want to know if a good laptop (1.6 Ghtz; 1 G ram;) will be able to handle both the software (not real familiar w/ cubase) and the challenge of running a full tracking session and mix session. Again, I dont need mega-capacity, just able to do tracking and mixing with tracks and effects, cue mix, etc. I like the portability of the laptop, but I don't want to run into crashing and processing speed problems. plus an upgrade to a dual core G5 is out of the price range. just a yes or no from someone experienced with using cubase SL3 and powerbooks and maybe a firewire interface would be cool...don't need to know preferences or whats better...just will it do what i need. thanks alot.

16th February 2006, 08:30 AM	#4
John Suitcase Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,260	If you're not using softsynths, etc., you could pick up an iMac. I use a 1.6 ghz G5 iMac with 1.25 gigs of ram and an external firewire drive and MOTU 828 with no problems to speak of. I use a lit of plug-ins, but no soft synths or midi stuff. Considering how much cheaper an iMac is, and that you get the G5, it's a pretty good deal. And you can ge t case for it, if you like to record on location (like I do!) __________________ --------------------------------- Suitcase Recordings Indie, Punk, Garage - On Location Recording

16th February 2006, 08:35 AM	#5
Henchman Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: LA, USA Posts: 4,031	Basically, if you want to do real, complete production, you'll be out of luck with a powerbook. I do all of my productionwork on my laptop. But it's a PC. __________________ www.markhensley.tv IMDB Credits

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16th February 2006, 08:16 AM	#3
mopppish Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 386	30 tracks up and running on a powerbook should be fine, but no, you likely won't be able to have effects on all of the tracks. Probably a handful, but not all. Unless you are open to bouncing/freezing. Only one to three complex soft synths alone will kill it. Henchman is right- you should be looking at a desktop or desktop replacement. Otherwise, you need to lower you bar a little bit.