Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Denim n Leather on January 31, 2009, 01:30:55 PM

Title: New DAW rig
Post by: Denim n Leather on January 31, 2009, 01:30:55 PM
After 5 years, I'm retiring my old stand-alone hard disk recorder (Yamaha AW16G, which will see duty as a rehearsal/demo recorder in all likelihood) and have begun assembling a DAW-based rig. There are still a couple of key bits I need to get (iso cab is a must; PCi DSP card for mixing), but I have the major pieces I need to begin tracking:

PC. Nothing too fancy; Dell dual core Pentium 4 machine, Vista, 2GB processor, 2GB RAM

Interface. Once again, nothing too fancy; Tascam US-1641. I just want something that is clean-sounding and will handle interfacing with the PC.

Channel strip. SSL XLogic Alpha Channel; this will handle single-track mic'ing, track-sweetening, and a-to-d conversion.

Software is Cubase 4.5.

I'm looking forward to tracking in 24 bit! Test recordings coming soon.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: 38thBeatle on January 31, 2009, 01:52:33 PM
Interesting Ben. I am still suing my AW16g though to be frank I have not used it to it's full potential.I get fed up with the on- board facilities and can understand your shift.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: nfe on January 31, 2009, 02:03:48 PM
Cool. I really need an Isolation cab too.

If possible, I'd ghet at least another couple gig RAM in there. I wouldn't be comfortable doing any kind of rcording or editing with just 2g on Vista.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: _tom_ on January 31, 2009, 02:10:34 PM
I used 2GB in vista for recording for ages but upgraded to 4GB just because I could really. tbh I didnt notice any difference at all when recording.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: Oli on January 31, 2009, 03:34:17 PM
Mmm, Xlogic :) When you next upgrade a bit, get another, so then if you're recording acoustic guitars (or drum overheads!), then you can use them for that :)
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: Denim n Leather on January 31, 2009, 08:33:33 PM
Mmm, Xlogic :) When you next upgrade a bit, get another, so then if you're recording acoustic guitars (or drum overheads!), then you can use them for that :)
I'm definitely planning on adding a second SSL strip for stereo recording!!
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: Gary on February 01, 2009, 07:14:41 AM
I'm currently speccing up something similar which I should be getting later this month - depending on my delayed Christmas bonus coming through. Main difference is I'll be using a Fostex 250 (circa 1984) as a preamp.

I'd be interested to know what plugins you're planning to use with Cubase. I'm considering saving up and splashing out on Waves SSL chanel strips as a kind of 'all in one' solution to add to some of the very good ones that come with Reaper.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: hunter on February 01, 2009, 08:48:38 AM
Cool. I really need an Isolation cab too.

If possible, I'd ghet at least another couple gig RAM in there. I wouldn't be comfortable doing any kind of rcording or editing with just 2g on Vista.

I used to do 24 tracks recording with a powermac, where the HARDDRIVE was 1 GB. RAM was 64 or 128meg, not really sure anymore. I just remember I was busy burning CDs A LOT.

:O)
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: MrBump on February 01, 2009, 09:16:58 AM
I've got to say, 2GB RAM seems a little on the low side...

What Iso Cab are you going for?
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: nfe on February 01, 2009, 12:45:08 PM
Cool. I really need an Isolation cab too.

If possible, I'd ghet at least another couple gig RAM in there. I wouldn't be comfortable doing any kind of rcording or editing with just 2g on Vista.

I used to do 24 tracks recording with a powermac, where the HARDDRIVE was 1 GB. RAM was 64 or 128meg, not really sure anymore. I just remember I was busy burning CDs A LOT.

:O)

Yeah, but you weren't using Vista, which will go in the huff if you try to get it out it's bed with less than a gig RAM.  :lol:
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: Denim n Leather on February 01, 2009, 12:53:27 PM
I've got to say, 2GB RAM seems a little on the low side...
It's sufficient for now, and is dirt cheap to upgrade. I plan on increasing to 4GB sooner or later.

Quote
What Iso Cab are you going for?
Either the Randall or the Grendel; both are great, and I'll be popping a Scumback M75 in it.
Title: Re: New DAW rig
Post by: Denim n Leather on February 01, 2009, 12:56:18 PM
I'd be interested to know what plugins you're planning to use with Cubase. I'm considering saving up and splashing out on Waves SSL chanel strips as a kind of 'all in one' solution to add to some of the very good ones that come with Reaper.
I'm on the fence as to what PCi card I will be getting; it's a tossup between a UA Solo-1/2 (If I had a few hundred extra lying around, I would've grabbed a UA-Solo 1 card I saw at Guitar Center for $340!!!) or the SSL DSP cards.

As for plug-ins, I will be using outboard gear as much as possible.