You are not going to be able to chain those two computers together for any benefit. If you need a second hard drive then do what everyone does and purchase an external usb or firewire drive. On the desktop you can simply purchase a second/third/fourth internal drive and hook it up to it's OWN cable. Do not daisy chain internal hard drives as it defeats the purpose of having them in the first place.

Both of those processors are quite aged but both can be made to work for audio provided your expectations are realistic and limited. They aren't going to handle VSTi instruments worth a darn and not too many tracks either. They should be good enough to do moderate work IF the computer is stripped down to it's very basics in Windows and all other programs are uninstalled and the Services are tweaked hard. If you intend to surf the web and do office work etc then forget audio on these guys. If the laptop only has 256MB of ram then forget that machine altogether. It's not worth the upgrade and possibly the motherboard on the laptop isn't going to work at all for audio production.

From the Cakewalk site, suggested specs.

• Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32-bit)/Vista Service Pack 2 (32- or 64-bit)/Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit)*
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 2.67 GHz/AMD Phenom Quad Core 9750 2.4 Ghz
• 2 GB RAM
• 1280x800 minimum screen resolution
• 4.5GB for minimal installation, 15GB for complete installation
• SONAR on DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD+/-R or DVD+/-RW Drive
• SONAR download: Broadband or better internet connection for download
• Cakewalk Publisher requires available web server space with FTP access

Not sure about using two computers, some plugs have standalone versions that respond to MIDI, so you could treat one computer like an external midi module driven from the data from the other computer.

I'm a mac guy so I don't really have any specifics for PC apps.

Both the computers he's talking about are way older than those CPU specs. By at least six years.

Ok I know that my computers are not the best or newest. Just wanted to know what my limitations wouild be regarding running sonar. I do fully intend on just using the newer ones to run my apps and do my editing on. Cut and paste, equilization, high and low pass filters. synchronizatiomn and general work on tracks. I'll use the other one for everything else i may need to do daily. I fully pol;an on getting a macbook pro next in eight months or so. I just wanted to know what i should, could get to get the best resilts with what i have. MAybe i'll rephrase this. If you were me and youi wanted to put put enough product to possibly finance further interest.. NOT recording directly into the computer or making " made up beats" on some virtual software. I can play all of my instruments enough to do the real thing. That's why i got the NEO> SO i can gig. Which I will soon. But i wanna know will i be able to run a drum kit via sonar ...thats probalbly all I will need. I play bro. I just want to be able to edit (which Audacity is already doing)and proghram drums possibly. NOthing fancy there will be time for all that later. Can i upgrade to 4gs ram? Duo core? I am hyperthreading at 3.8GHZ. Just made a friend thatv graduated from IT that told me that if i upgraded to 4gs RAm I could do what i needed to do personally. Im taking baby steps so I learn to work the "real" deal before the virtuaality every one is raving so about. I understand fully what the limitations of my computers are I just wanna know what I can do to maximaize and improve what i do have until I get the macbook with my refund if necessary.

You mentioned Sonar X1. Does that version of Sonar run on a Mac?

I dont know bro. I'm new to this. I just make music. Im atryong to learn. I'll check. I really dont want a mac. I want to get a dell i5 or i7
. Probably will end up doing that if upgrading to 4gs ram doesnt work. My optiplex is stripped down. My brother in law did the best he could and he gave it to me FOR FREE. cant neat that. I can uninstall everything i nedd to. But i need to know what touninstall. My dad knows about all that stuff but is a terribly busy man. He said he will make time but I figured i'd do some hunting of my own. I mean I'm already in over 2K bro. Dont want to spend more than 200 more including the computwer by JAnuary and want to be doing something serious by then. REady to get some ROI. If u had what i have what would you do?

.

If your friend graduated IT he should know that that computer might not be able to access more than 2GB and possibly not any more than 1GB depending on the memory controller chip version. Second, you keep mentioning Mac like it's a silver bullet. Any new or near new computer will do the trick for you. Equal numbers of folks run PC as run Mac for audio an you will still have a learning curve. Third, running electronic drums will be completely dependent on factors I can't infer since I don't know those computer motherboard specs with regards to routing etc. Also, people that use computer generated instruments for live gigs aren't doing it even on Macs of that generation so I think that is not realistic.

It is highly likely you will be able to experiment and get some stuff working for home use but latency will be a huge factor with regards to performance and this will be equally affected by what computer audio interface you purchase. Live computerized instruments are usually MIDI based and require simply a midi keyboard controller to be effective.

sorry $2000 more is what im willing to spend over 8 months
. Im about to make some business cards and start doing demos for people off the tascam neo. I can mix it all there if I want but I want to refine it in sonar or any program you think would be economical. The goal is to build the studio with studio money and put mine in my pocket you dig?

Sorry to be blunt. You're really not ready for business cards. You have a lot more self education to do before you worry about a business. Go intern at a regular studio or with a location engineer. You will learn more and faster.

You need to look at the PC requirements for any DAW you are planning on getting. Sonar X1 is PC and is for Window 7 64 bit. You need 8 gig min to run that software in the VSTi world.

You are a ways off of getting there at this point. Forget the business cards at this time as well. You are still in dream land and I mean this in a kind way. You need to spend a lot more money before you will even make it sound worth anything.

Start reading about Sonar and what you need to record music.

So how can the NEO help me? HAven't mentioned that yet. Ive been getting some good souinds out of that. What type of processor do " I need" basic ? WHat speed? HOw much RAm will I need to do what i want to do. Will an i5 work effectively? I plan on using the NEO as my interface.
I don't want to record directly onto the computer yet. Could i sync those live instruments with my tascam via mtc? Thats how ive been making my traacks and the loading to audacity to refine then back to the tascam for final mixdown themn maybe bak to audacity to press out of my tower. What would you do (with my budget) and how much would you be looking to spend when? I just asking because i want to know. Will it be better to just get me a drum macjine thatt rocks?

Topic moved to home recording.

Cheers!

My computer is tweaked a bit because my brother in law works with computers for a living but he is busy as well. I know what im going to do. Just gert my feet wet. If my sound is right Im sure the proper equipment will be no problem. Im just goonna make me a demo and stop concentrating so much on computers for now. I am an artist. I just want to understand what i need. When i get the money i'll get a better computer until then I'm just going to post some web pages and get me some gigs. Again I play bro. DOn't know whta io been waiting for. I'll let someone else worry about all of that for now. I need to get about just putting it together. This has been bumming me out and taking up too much valuable time and ive been stressing for absolutely nothing> i just need to go play a venue and network period. A compuiter is notjhing if you got talent which i do because i know exactly what im getting out of the minimal equipment i do have. No doubt someone will recognize that. Tahnks in advance to all that post including those that already have. No dreams here mate...just buitrtterflies. But thats ok too. Nornal. They alwAYS SEEM TO FLY THOUGH WHEN THAT FIRST HIGH HAT HITS. lOL

AND I CAME TO GET ANSWERS WHICH I GOT HOWEVER I GOT THEM. CONGRATS TO ALL. IM SURE THAT YOU WERE NOT ALL USHERED IN AND SOME OF YOU HAD TO ACTUALLY WORK FOR WHAT YOU GOT. hOPE ITS NOT TOO FAR BACK FOR YOU TO REMEMBER. GOD BLESS AND BEST WISHES TO U ALL.
SINCERELY
. SEE YOU ON THE CIRCUIT...BELIEVE THAT.

You should look at the PreSonus 16.0.2 . It will do everything you need right now at your budget. I think you should look there! It has the firewire and pres ready for you. $1200,00 and you are way better off than going for something more highend but no money to get going.

Hope this helps!

i do have windows 7 64 bit sir. with a 4HT pentium that is hyperthreading. I also know that i can use it to do basic editing cause im doing that already and getting some wicked s@#$. I wont be "home recording" for long.

Look here, this is the way to go right now:

http://recording.org/content/705-studiolive-16-0-2.html

Thank you so much for a direct answer audiolid thats whats up bro> im about top blow up bro. YOu haven't heard me and dont know what i know. lol. Teses computers are just bumming me out man. I dont wanna know about all this but i guess i have no choice for now> i cant wait till i can just make the s%$^ and get paid> i don't care who publishes it> I have a lot of knowledge about all aspects of this business. Thisis not some flash in pan. This has been long coming> I jus finally got the mind set to do it b/c of people bein F.OS. I plan on handling my business like business. Its just Its a bit taxing > I used to practice three or four hours a day> I doubt if Ive done that in the last 3 days> B/c i been tying to decipher all this computer copde. Im almost ready to go do a live open mic and just go off so people can see what im talking about. That'll be way better than what any computer could do> Im sure we could ALL agree on that>

Im looking right now bro.

I am glad you are excited. I am glad you are a musician. I'm glad you want to make a business of it. The first thing you are going to need to do is figure out how to type on a phone or computer. I mean that kindly. It's mind boggling trying to read your postings and it affects how people see and interpret your visible image whether that is fair or not.

I do remember what it was like starting out. And just for the record, every one here is a musician. In my case an orchestral musician but everyone has their specialty. As to the rest, all I can say is keep plugging at it and don't put the cart before the horse. You need to buy and absorb a couple of books. The very first one is by Yamaha and Gary Davis called, The Sound Reinforcement Handbook. There are several others that will/would be useful to you and many can even be found in the larger public libraries. For a list of recommended reading:
http://recording.org/content/612-recording-books.html

Ok im digging it> How much is it? DOes it have it s own drum machine/kits. Quality recording? What would you use the tascam neo 2488 for? It sounds good especially when I edit in audaacity> Alot of what i play are loops anyway. Plus I give it the feel when I lay acoustic and electric> The NEO does a lot. Im learning it quick cause I had the dp 008 when i got it. How can i sync my NEO to my YPG 235? I dont quite get it.

Sorry mate im doing a lot at once ...I'll type a bit more decisively. Maybe they will integrate a spell checker of some sort. Im just trying to figure it all out. the studio live...what makes it better than this NEO i have? Im definitely going to find out tonight. And i am taking all this in and really do appreciate it. Its ok...I understand interpretations. I am highly intelligent just haven't gotten much sleep trying to make sure i spend my limited funds the right way. DO you think I have enough now to do rough demos for some... that they can get mastered elsewhere with my consent if necessary? Plus what about enough to put a drum and melody track together to back my live performance which is imminent at this point> I so ready to play live. I just might tonight. Ive gotten some motivation here in a introverted way. I can play whatever i hear.

All of what TheJackAttack says!

I have no clue what NEO is and thats a bad sign lol. So,to quickly answer your question. If you would have said NEOS, now you would have gotten my attention :)!

The StudioLive 16.0.2 has built-in preamps and a firewire ADDA so this means, if you have a computer that has firewire and you get this console you only need to get a mic(s) and start recording. This is the fastest way I know of that will help people starting out, least amount of money and the best results for the amount it will cost you. If you find you are able to start making money, you can upgrade to a more high end DAW system like we have.

If you choose to buy Sonar X1 you need many thousand to get it running properly PLUS! you will have a year of learning.

Go buy the PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 here: [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.sweetwat…"]PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 | Sweetwater.com[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"]PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 | Sweetwater.com[/] and get to it.

It's a standalone workstation.

Ah, like this:
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.musician…"]tascam neo workstation Search | Musician's Friend[/]="http://www.musician…"]tascam neo workstation Search | Musician's Friend[/]

Well that looks pretty cool. Man, there ya go. That look fine eh John? Even less money.

Other than I dislike the Tascam preamps. But they will work to learn the ropes. He will need a drum machine of some sort because I don't believe MIDI is supported on this machine. I haven't investigated it thoroughly so I could be mistaken on that. Also, he should switch to Reaper from Audacity in my opinion.

Oops. There is midi. He could use either a midi controller with audio output or a drum machine I think. You would know that end better than me Chris.

Looks like the Midi is for updating it or something. I don't see any specs on actual midi. Its pretty limited isn't it. hmm... Looking at the Cakewalk / Sonar workstation .. stand by.

I was thinking the VS 700 but it clocks out at 3700.00 .

The NEO may support usb midi but it doesn't have sound in it so he is still going to need that. The NEO is a glorified Portastudio.
I'm back to the 16.0.2 again because it has StudioOne with it and it should have drum samples and other sounds in that software. I should install it but haven't desided what I'm doing with it yet. dvdHawk has tested it. Hawk, you there?
If our new friend gets a usb controller for a few hundred bucks (AKAI) , the 16.0.2, a CP with Firewire he's styling. under 1500.00 for the DAW/console... not bad.

Hey audiokid thats a good idea. HOnestly do you think getting the presonus would be better than getting a dell with an i5 or i7 processor which may be about the same price. But then again it does have sounds in it and the recording software so its definitely worth researching. And the inputs? whoa. Blown away. SO far i have liked what i have seen. ALso kudos to jack for input. I think i will go with his suggestion for now. I have been hearing a lot about Reaper...all good. At this point tree i cant afford to spend another 1299 unless it will be for system. I"ve been looking into computers that are made specifically for this purpose. For now i think a drum machine would be great because i still need to get a good condenser and maybe a bass guitar. I could do all that on the way to my big piece (standalone or laptop) purchase in January. I have like the Boss line of drum machines for years? What do u think about the Dr. Rhythym? Can it be synched with tascam thru true midi and not just MTC like i have been using? I like the idea of just being able to program my drums so i dont get the fatigue of getting them just right. Personally I like the fact that Im, goping up the hill the "haard way" because by the time i am able to afford the presonus or even a specialized DAW workstation (pc...ive seen them for 1200 -1500 any suggestions). Ive got internet computers and all that jazz. Still if i was gonna spen 1200 bucks that presonus is looking pretty sweet. I can always go to an engineer with a nearly finished product and let him finish it off (pro and cons of this). Isnt the neo a good suffice for an interface now. I was thinking just getting a drum machine (bad A one) and A software on this computer i have. If i upgrad it to 4gs of ram at 3.8 and 3.8 with over 130 GB of free HD space i should be good gor just editing. im not realoly concerned with vst's yet just "learning the ropes" to quote jack. I admit i do still have a ton to learn regarding the nuances of recording but id much rather sprend my time doing that type research than what processor does this and what preamp does this because honestly i'll have to see it to get it. As i mentioned before. The last time i went to guitar center (last week) when i bought the NEO...I spent some time with the audio dude who was cool enough to show me the layout of a REAL DAW in their true "studio setup. I took one look and know that if I EVER GET IN FRONT OF ONE OF THOSE...it will definitely be over. And learning on the Tascam and even possibly the neo will prepare me to get back to basics when I need to and not be so dependent about technology. Afteer all its still all about the MUSIC right? I'm thinking drum machine guys and a good editing software. Ill add vsts and all on someone elses computer if necessary. That is an option. Plus i know people and may be able to get an i5 or i7 by January for much cheaper than retail if i start looking now. Point being the Dell optiplex will run music software (more effectively ,albeit, with a ram upgrade...which i can afford.., but nonetheless) to my liking just to get certain parts of songs placed just right and do my loops click and paste and plan my events and In out points. Seems that is a much better process on Audacity than on the NEO itself. Then i can mix on the neo and finalize it. anything further someone else can do. The fee will amke sense b/c the track will make money. Onl;y will do that when its worth it though. Otherwise im saving for my system whatever it be.

I realize that no matter what Im gonna need a beast of a computer to work at the speed i want to. I was thinking any dell ( i like dell, no probs for me.) with i5, i7 , or a sepcialized unit like one of the New Dell Precision T1600 Tower Workstations dedicated to only the task at hand with proper coolong fans. Im looking for the lowest maintenace i can get. . I really do like this lil gadget. What do you think about something like thisT1600 Workstation with Sonar X! on it? Exactly. Only used for what i need it to be. What would i need further to add to something like this? Any ideas?. This particular model starts at around 800 bucks. No doubt my dime could go so,ewhere else besides yet ANOTHER version of windows. Thats more like it for now. Then i could use my current best computer for my editing and storage and the other for just recording. Just a thought: A Drum machine is what ... $300-400 high end with basic sonar software like an older Cakewalk version even for
$300 or so. Workstation under 900 by january. Tons of fun and studying from here to there. By the way thanks jack for the links. This is what i WANT to be reading. What i should be reading i agree. In have already learned alot. Again I am new to this and i just want to learn all i can so I can get where I need to go. I hope we can keep in touch through this thread b/c i will have many more questions, no doubt....especially the more I learn. It helps to get direct info. (the good and bad news...lol)The more im learning the more i am inspired. Think I'll lay a drum and bass combo down right now. LOL. Until next time. THANKS AGAIN ALL. you have been a really big help.

Don't be all hung up on "Dell". Consumer computers need a ton of tweaking to be used for recording. Dell, HP...all those...screw you up by loading a ton of proprietary crap on the computer...including their lousy proprietary system restore image that won't let you do a system restore (easily) if something happens and you have to change something like...oh...the motherboard.

True story: Bought a brand new HP about 3 years back for office/internet, etc., loaded with crappy Vista Home Premium, and 1 GB RAM. Always had "low memory" errors. 1 year and 3 days after I bought it, found BIOS update on official HP website that claimed it fixed "low memory errors" among other things. So, because I've done tons of BIOS updates at my job, I felt comfortable doing it. Followed directions explicitly. Got halfway through update....and froze. And stayed frozen. Finally, rebooted, and....nothing. Wouldn't boot to ANYTHING! Tried messing with it for a month. Contacted HP, and all they said is that I could send it for repair, but since it's out of warranty (less than a month...crashed by THEIR update) it would be $600 to repair. (For a $399...complete... system). Told them I just wanted a new MB. Send it to me. Nope. Told them to go f%^* themselves.

Bought a new MB, and managed (through some difficulties) to get the image to load and work.

Don't get hung up on a consumer brand, preloaded computer.

Anyway, enough about that. You asked about "syncing" stuff. You mentioned a keyboard, and MTC, etc. (MTC= MIDI Time Code. Two MIDI devices follow each other just fine using it, with one Master, and one Slave. MIDI, itself, is not load-intensive. If you start adding all kinds of MIDI-triggered samples or virtual instruments, then it can drag things down, but it's the searching for and playing of audio samples/algorithms...not the MIDI messages, themselves).

Audio doesn't sync well TO MIDI. Sonar, Cubase, etc., and any portable recording device that transmits MIDI will allow MIDI to sync well TO audio. The recording device (and/or) program that is playing the audio needs to be the master, and MIDI devices (keyboards, etc) needs to be slave. You cannot easily sync two audio devices. They need to see the same timing reference, as Word Clock provides, amongst few others.
To run MIDI-controlled devices (keyboards, sound modules, etc.) as tracks automatically with audio, you need a program that does well with both MIDI AND audio. Sonar is my favorite MIDI/audio program. I've tried Cubase, but the MIDI editing was more convoluted to me. I've used Cakewalk from early on, so I guess I was just more used to it.

You sound excited, and that's good. Just slow down a bit, though. Set your sights high, but lower your expectations of immediate gratification of "all I need is this here XXXX and that XXXX, and I'll be the go-to studio dude!" Do a LOT of reading and research.

And, the number one piece of advice (I'm sure from all of us) when contemplating buying, or having bought, new equipment?

RTFM!:wink:

Kapt.Krunch

Didn't read the entire thread so I apologize I'd this has been covered. I read up to the point where you said you planned on getting MacBook pro this year.

I currently run my studio off a mbpro and I can tell you that if you plan on doing any heavy lifting, a mbpro will disappoint. You may also find yourself stymied by the limited Peripheral connectors. It's greatest strength lies in its capability to be functional and mobile.

Myself I'm looking to upgrade to a Mac tower this year.