Low-footprint DAW for old Laptop

Michael Carnes · 22nd June 2009

Hello,
I'm usually in the position of providing information, but now I'm in the position to ask for a few hints. After a hiatus of several years, I've found myself once again recording some chamber music concerts. It's a minimalist setup: a pair or two of mics, a FW interface and a laptap. I do the editing on my big computer.

The laptop is an old G4 iBook. I threw DP6 on there because I had it. I could have used Logic8 as well, but that was the way the coin toss worked out. I've minimized the system and the software as much as I can. For example, the only plugin I've enabled is an M/S decoder for monitoring.

The problem of course is that a modern DAW program is written with the assumption that it has a little more computer than a G4. Even though recording 4 tracks (44.1/24-bit) isn't much of a load, there's still a lot of overhead. Every 20 minutes or so, I get an alarming message about processor overload. So far nothing bad has happened, but it's more than a little nervous-making.

So my question is this: Can anybody recommend a simple (inexpensive?) DAW that I can use just to get the tracks recorded?

Many thanks,
N.S.

Corran · 22nd June 2009

Definitely try Reaper.

REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits

mathieujm · 22nd June 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corran

Definitely try Reaper.

REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits

Yes, the other one that I used on old PC is Samplitude Music Studio. No pb to record a few tracks.
You can download it and try it
Best music studio software for making the best music - MAGIX Samplitude Music Studio by MAGIX

JMM

d_fu · 22nd June 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathieujm

Yes, the other one that I used on old PC is Samplitude Music Studio.

Didn't know there is a Mac version now...

mathieujm · 22nd June 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_fu

Didn't know there is a Mac version now...

Oups... didn't realize we where talking of a mac

No, Samplitude doesn't run on a mac (except with Bootcamp).

Sorry

JMM

Corran · 22nd June 2009

Oh crap I forgot about that. I don't think Reaper is out for Mac yet, though they are working on it I think I heard.

Spennels · 22nd June 2009

I run Reaper on my Macbook

jnorman · 22nd June 2009

there is a beta version of reaper for mac, but i think it requires OSX 10.4 or higher, and i dont think you can install that on the non intel chipsets. however, for straight recording purposes, the new version of garageband might be adequate. or maybe boom recorder.

Matti · 22nd June 2009

Boom Recorder : VOSGAMES

I was thinking of this too

Matti

locutus · 23rd June 2009

I realize this doesn't completely fit your situation because of the hardware interface you already have, but the Metric Halo Record Panel does just this. Simple and bulletproof recording app. I have seen it record 8 channels on an old G4 powerbook with no problem. If you could trade in for a Metric Halo MIO, you would be golden.

Someone else already mentioned it, but check into BoomRecorder. It is rather similar and hardware agnostic.

Michael Carnes · 12th July 2009

I'm more than a bit late with this word of thanks, but thank you for the suggestions here. I'll look into them.

22nd June 2009	#1
Michael Carnes Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake Valley Posts: 526 Thread Starter	Low-footprint DAW for old Laptop Hello, I'm usually in the position of providing information, but now I'm in the position to ask for a few hints. After a hiatus of several years, I've found myself once again recording some chamber music concerts. It's a minimalist setup: a pair or two of mics, a FW interface and a laptap. I do the editing on my big computer. The laptop is an old G4 iBook. I threw DP6 on there because I had it. I could have used Logic8 as well, but that was the way the coin toss worked out. I've minimized the system and the software as much as I can. For example, the only plugin I've enabled is an M/S decoder for monitoring. The problem of course is that a modern DAW program is written with the assumption that it has a little more computer than a G4. Even though recording 4 tracks (44.1/24-bit) isn't much of a load, there's still a lot of overhead. Every 20 minutes or so, I get an alarming message about processor overload. So far nothing bad has happened, but it's more than a little nervous-making. So my question is this: Can anybody recommend a simple (inexpensive?) DAW that I can use just to get the tracks recorded? Many thanks, N.S.

22nd June 2009	#6
Corran Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South Georgia Posts: 2,929	Oh crap I forgot about that. I don't think Reaper is out for Mac yet, though they are working on it I think I heard. __________________ www.oceanstarproductions.com

22nd June 2009	#8
jnorman Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,807 2 Reviews written	there is a beta version of reaper for mac, but i think it requires OSX 10.4 or higher, and i dont think you can install that on the non intel chipsets. however, for straight recording purposes, the new version of garageband might be adequate. or maybe boom recorder. __________________ jnorman sunridge studios salem, oregon

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22nd June 2009	#7
Spennels Gear nut Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 89	I run Reaper on my Macbook

22nd June 2009	#9
Matti Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,756	Boom Recorder : VOSGAMES I was thinking of this too Matti

23rd June 2009	#10
locutus Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 189	I realize this doesn't completely fit your situation because of the hardware interface you already have, but the Metric Halo Record Panel does just this. Simple and bulletproof recording app. I have seen it record 8 channels on an old G4 powerbook with no problem. If you could trade in for a Metric Halo MIO, you would be golden. Someone else already mentioned it, but check into BoomRecorder. It is rather similar and hardware agnostic.

12th July 2009	#11
Michael Carnes Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake Valley Posts: 526 Thread Starter	I'm more than a bit late with this word of thanks, but thank you for the suggestions here. I'll look into them.