I have an opportunity to get a very good laptop. Might as well make sure it can record well also, no? Any recommendations as to the sound card and mic interfaces that I might need?

[This message was edited by NYC on November 25, 2002 at 08:15 PM.]

Mac or PC?

PC

You have lots to choose from these days. I do all my recording work on a Mac, so I'm not an expert on all that's available to PC, but I do know you can go from no cost, free/shareware software and the audio hardware built into your PC all the way to multi-thousand dollar hardware/software solutions. Somewhere in the lower middle is where most home user go. How high up the middle depends on how serious you are.

I have played with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and it was pretty good. I used the built-in "SoundBlaster" type audio I/O and was not real happy with the sound, but it was free. If I was more serious about doing this on a PC laptop, I would look into better audio converters and I/O. There is probably a USB device at a reasonable price that would be lots better than the built-in.

Anyway, laptops these days have plenty of power for recording. What you need is software and audio I/O (which might be built in).
Over the years my home studio has grown toward the high end of hobbyist, perhaps approaching the low end of pro. It's a hobby I enjoy, so I take it as seriously as budget allows.

I would recommend you concentrate on a good audio I/O. You might frustrate yourself if you go all out on the software, but have bad connections between the sound and the editing - at least that's my experience. Even the most expensive software will be limited in sound quality by your I/O.

_________________________
"Get yo' praise on"

2002 Collings CJ Sunburst

Thanks all.
I was looking at the M-Audio Duo. http://www.midiman.com/products/m-audio/duo.php

Anyone have an idea of quality?

I haven't used M-Audio stuff, but a lot of other people do and they seem to be pretty happy with it. They have a good reputation and I think you'd be happy with the sound quality of the Duo.

I have an M Audio Delta 66 and I'm happy with it. I think it sounds pretty good and it didn't cost too much. I use mine with Digital Performer 3 on a Mac. The integration is very smooth. I never have to deal with the hardware. Everything you need is there within Digital Performer.

Thanks. I'm going to try the M-Audio Duo on this laptop. I think I can get it at a very goodprice. There is no real option to get a nice sound card because of size, so this seems the best route. Will let you know how it works out.