windows xp , mixcraft, usb mic, there ya go =]]]

a netbook? is that one of those tiny little things? i can't imagine it being powerful enough to do a whole lot, but you could probably get some basic ideas down.

and yes, a cd rom to install software, and a hard drive to save your stuff would definitely be required.

Since my wife was kind enough to get me a cool little Gateway netbook for Christmas, I have honestly been wondering the same thing. It's stable as heck and very convenient. I wouldn't want to think about going past maybe 8-10 tracks in total, but I think the darn thing would actually work. I'll try to track this forum. If I come up with the free time and a few extra free bucks, I may get a cheap USB interface and see how it does. Honestly, I used to do computer based recording on far less powerful and far less capable systems 10 years ago.

Cheers-
J.

I think you'd be able to use a firewire add on card. Does it have an express card slot?

To the OP: If you record without plugs like we do in the classical world there is no reason a net book wouldn't work for 8-10 tracks provided you could find a good route into the computer itself and use an external hard drive. I haven't looked very closely at these machines yet myself but like J. I used to use much lesser specs without issue. If you could find a netbook with an express card slot you're likely good to go.

I have been very unimpressed with the netbooks I have used at work. The processors are all Atom processors and are not capable of running 64bit. They are designed with low power consumption in mind and that is it. I find doing anything but the most basic of tasks on them frustratingly slow. Also, I believe the flash-based storage on the netbooks to be another weak link in their performance. If that is all you have, I say give it a try, but I would not be very hopeful.

People really have no concept and completely under estimate about how demanding audio is and how even more demanding it is in achieving problem free audio. If you are serious about audio or achieving problem free audio performance, it would be very stupid to buy and mess with an unpowered, DAW untested netbook. I would suggest you go buy a decent high end used PC that is known to rock as DAW.

Let some other wanker or fool play that beta game.

leard, post: 297337 wrote: hello this is my first post on this site im thinking about getting into recording and have a veru low budget. i was wondering if there was a way to use one of these new netbooks to run recording software. im sure an external hard drive and a cd rom would have to be in play. but does anyone think this would work. thanks guys

Look...I can appreciate the fact you want to get into recording...but I'm going to be the one to be honest to you, k?
You could technically use a "My 1st Sony" little thing to record...will it work well? No.

Thing is...you really need to have a REALISTIC budget....
If you don't, you'll do what I did...

Spend a little money (many times over for shit gear) that eventually dies or breaks because it was crap...

This is what you should do, bud:

-Get a realistic budget.
-Identify (and write out) what it is you want to do
-Research WHAT it will take to accomplish what you want to do
-Design, build and execute your strategy.

Guidelines:
-You need a REAL computer with a processor that can handle high quality recording minimum 24bit 96Khz.
-Will you be recording others? Yourself? Software instruments? Hardware live instruments? Vocals?
-You will need gear. Not a netbook running Reaper.....

Unless this is just a hobby for sport.
Then get whatever your heart desires but don't delude yourself into thinking you can/will get professional results with a netbook
and a very low budget.

Most netbooks max out at 2GB of RAM.
External HD's are NOT recommended for anything other than backing up projects.
Audio recording is NOT recommended on the native C drive (the internal HD)
Does your netbook have eSATA?

Think things through.
I've been there.
Save your money and do it right or piece together mediocrity/crap components just because you're on a budget...
Your choice.

I wish you luck.