I want a PC based laptop with the right digital audio interface

supoUSA · 17th December 2009

I cannot post on this site - a new thread I mean - something about tokens. Does anyone know what's wrong? Here's what I want to post. Someone pleas
Hi,
I simply want a PC based laptop with a digital audio in so I can transfer from an Apogee MiniMe A/D convertor. I have Wavelab already. Do I need 2 hard drives for this simple application (one for data and another for the operating system)? I'm not one for attaching a bunch of external drives, etc to it - do they make laptops with 2 built in HDD or is there anyway to partition where it won't interfere? What I want to do is simply record 2 tracks into it (via the spdif) and burn a CD for a client and have my HDD be the back up.

Any recommendation for a good computer and Digital Audio card.

Jeff
e post

ghellquist · 18th December 2009

No need for extra hard-discs. Built-in harddisk is quite enough for a couple channels, say up to 16. You will only run two, so no problems.

Performance of just about any modern laptop will be good enough. It is more about ergonomics, screen size, what you believe about reliability, price and such.

You might find a PC laptop with digital in, I´ve not noticed anyone (Macs often have it), so you probably need a sound card. As for sound cards, SPDIF in, I believe the M-Audio transit is probably the simplest there is. There are literally hundreds to choose from.

// Gunnar

Corran · 19th December 2009

Man, you slingshot from one thing to the next. It sounds like you're in a constant state of paralysis, where you can't make up your mind what you want. Just choose something and go with it.

From this post, it sounds like what you'd really like is an Alesis Masterlink recorder. It records direct to harddrive and then you can burn a Redbook CD instantly. No computer needed (which I prefer personally).

If you really want to go the computer route, it does not matter one bit what interface you get to receive the spdif signal, since the Apogee is already handling the conversion - you just need to be sure it'll work 100% of the time. I think the easiest and cheapest (as well as reliable I've found) solution would be an original MBox, which had a spdif in. These go for $150 or less.

Suggestions for computers are irrelevant because they are out of date in a week usually. I don't buy Macs, and my favorite laptops have been Lenovos. I currently have a $450 netbook that I can record via Firewire ExpressCard 24 channels. They all will work relatively well with USB audio devices, just be more careful with Firewire.

Daniel Stark · 20th December 2009

Hmmm if you can afford it you will be happier just getting USB or Firewire for the mini-me. It's a great system despite having only a headphone out (you would have to send it to a monitor controller to use speakers at the same time). The advantage is that you can listen to audio from the computer in addition to recording audio to the computer (don't need a separate D/A)

17th December 2009	#1
supoUSA Gear maniac Joined: May 2009 Posts: 254 Thread Starter	I want a PC based laptop with the right digital audio interface I cannot post on this site - a new thread I mean - something about tokens. Does anyone know what's wrong? Here's what I want to post. Someone pleas Hi, I simply want a PC based laptop with a digital audio in so I can transfer from an Apogee MiniMe A/D convertor. I have Wavelab already. Do I need 2 hard drives for this simple application (one for data and another for the operating system)? I'm not one for attaching a bunch of external drives, etc to it - do they make laptops with 2 built in HDD or is there anyway to partition where it won't interfere? What I want to do is simply record 2 tracks into it (via the spdif) and burn a CD for a client and have my HDD be the back up. Any recommendation for a good computer and Digital Audio card. Jeff e post

19th December 2009	#3
Corran Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South Georgia Posts: 2,929	Man, you slingshot from one thing to the next. It sounds like you're in a constant state of paralysis, where you can't make up your mind what you want. Just choose something and go with it. From this post, it sounds like what you'd really like is an Alesis Masterlink recorder. It records direct to harddrive and then you can burn a Redbook CD instantly. No computer needed (which I prefer personally). If you really want to go the computer route, it does not matter one bit what interface you get to receive the spdif signal, since the Apogee is already handling the conversion - you just need to be sure it'll work 100% of the time. I think the easiest and cheapest (as well as reliable I've found) solution would be an original MBox, which had a spdif in. These go for $150 or less. Suggestions for computers are irrelevant because they are out of date in a week usually. I don't buy Macs, and my favorite laptops have been Lenovos. I currently have a $450 netbook that I can record via Firewire ExpressCard 24 channels. They all will work relatively well with USB audio devices, just be more careful with Firewire. __________________ www.oceanstarproductions.com

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18th December 2009	#2
ghellquist Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 416	No need for extra hard-discs. Built-in harddisk is quite enough for a couple channels, say up to 16. You will only run two, so no problems. Performance of just about any modern laptop will be good enough. It is more about ergonomics, screen size, what you believe about reliability, price and such. You might find a PC laptop with digital in, I´ve not noticed anyone (Macs often have it), so you probably need a sound card. As for sound cards, SPDIF in, I believe the M-Audio transit is probably the simplest there is. There are literally hundreds to choose from. // Gunnar

20th December 2009	#4
Daniel Stark Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 555	Hmmm if you can afford it you will be happier just getting USB or Firewire for the mini-me. It's a great system despite having only a headphone out (you would have to send it to a monitor controller to use speakers at the same time). The advantage is that you can listen to audio from the computer in addition to recording audio to the computer (don't need a separate D/A)