Building a Computer (Take 2)

[Weak as Hate]

I have picked out all the components I want for a new computer/recording setup, however, I just needed to know one or two more things. And, please use Layman's Terms, I really know almost nothing about this stuff. So far, I have decided on (besides the system and monitor):

- Radeon X300 Video Card
- Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Sound Card
- Cubase SE Software (pro tools too $$)
- Some kinda mic to be figured out later

Question 1: What other components will I need? Cables, jacks, adaptors, etc?

Question 2: I have a Digitech RX300 pedal. Can I hook it up like [guitar>pedal>soundcard]? Do I need to run it through an amp? Do I even need it if I have Cubase?

I am a serious newb to this scene, but really want to get started on it. Is there anything else I should be looking for? Thanks

[Slipstream]

I have picked out all the components I want for a new computer/recording setup, however, I just needed to know one or two more things. And, please use Layman's Terms, I really know almost nothing about this stuff. So far, I have decided on (besides the system and monitor):

- Radeon X300 Video Card
- Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Sound Card
- Cubase SE Software (pro tools too $$)
- Some kinda mic to be figured out later

Question 1: What other components will I need? Cables, jacks, adaptors, etc?

Question 2: I have a Digitech RX300 pedal. Can I hook it up like [guitar>pedal>soundcard]? Do I need to run it through an amp? Do I even need it if I have Cubase?

I am a serious newb to this scene, but really want to get started on it. Is there anything else I should be looking for? ThanksGuitar->pedal->soundcard will work fine. The output from the pedal is probably going to be 1/4" and the input on the soundcard is 1/8" so you'll need an adapter for that.


Edit: I've done that before, and found that the 1/4" cord and adapter seems heavy for hanging from the back of the soundcard. A better solution would be to find a cord (of a convienient length) that has a 1/4" fitting on one end and a 1/8" fitting on the other. I have a headphone extension cord that's like that. Works so much better than adding an adapter to a guitar cord.

[Puddlegum66]

A good set of computer speakers for headphones so that you can monitor things out. The best would be to get a set of powere JBL 8" monitor set-ups...but those are a few hundred bucks each. Look at the Klipch line of speakers. For 200 or so you get a great set of speakers with a sub that will give you a pretty good representation of what your sound will be.

BTW, what sort of processor and memory are you going with? Try to get atleast 512mb of ram, preferably a gig.

[Weak as Hate]

A good set of computer speakers for headphones so that you can monitor things out. The best would be to get a set of powere JBL 8" monitor set-ups...but those are a few hundred bucks each. Look at the Klipch line of speakers. For 200 or so you get a great set of speakers with a sub that will give you a pretty good representation of what your sound will be.

BTW, what sort of processor and memory are you going with? Try to get atleast 512mb of ram, preferably a gig.

I have my speakers/headphones already. I am going with 512 mb RAM. The main thing I am worried about is the compatablility of all these components.

[Puddlegum66]

You shouldn't have a compatibility issue. I assume you're running XP, just make sure that you have all the fixes for XP including SP2. Then just make sure to have all of the updated drivers for the sound and video card and you shouldn't have a problem.

I don't know how cubase and pro tools will run, I thought pro tools only ran on 98 but I'm not entirely sure. Software is a wholenother beast apart from hardware. I don't think you'll have any problems tho, just post if you do.

[Slipstream]

I have Cubase LE on an XP Home system. It's supposed to work fine, according to other forums I've seen, but I'm having trouble with getting it to recognize my soundcard and firewire interface. I'm sure it's a setting somewhere, but there are so many different things to set. I've had no problem with Audacity and n-Track, but they only operate with one soundcard. I'm trying to use a firewire interface (Presonus Firebox) to record while using an Audigy LC for playback.

For starting out I would recommend Audacity. It works fine for a single card, it is easy to use, and it's free.

[YowhatsupT]

i wouldn't get a soundcard, if you get a decent mobo then there is no need for one. You can plug a mic to mixer and then to line in on your mobo. The sound quality will still sound great.

Id get a sm57 and some behringer mixer. Is this comp solely for guitar recording and stuff?

[Al Liss]

For audio you dont need the fastest CPU (2.5 to 2.8 gig P4's are much cheaper) and video card can be AGP4\8 speed thats if it is for audio only not gaming or video.

I also recommend at least a gig of memory, sound cards with XLR's are better. I use LynxOne (http://www.audiencedp.com/lynx1.htm) and here (http://www.lynxstudio.com/lynxone.html) and it flat out rocks with Mackie Mixer the walls shake and sounds clean.

[Dr. D]

a plextor cd/dvd drive.

[SG_74]

This is pretty obvious, but make sure the cable you get to connect your pedal -> computer is STEREO! Alot of effects these days are "auto pan" like "stereo flange" etc. It won't work properly if you don't have a stereo cable...

[Keith]

Using an amp and micing it up will give you more warmth, but you could always go the direct route.You don't need a killer gamer PC to do recordings either.A P3 500 will do just fine.As long as you have some decent memory and a large HD.I would go with at least 80 GB@7200 RPM with an 8 MEg cache.

- Radeon X300 Video Card(I would dump this card and go with the 9800XT)
- Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum Sound Card (Great choice)
- Cubase SE Software (pro tools too $$)
- Some kinda mic to be figured out later (Shure M57-58)

[Puddlegum66]

Yeah, I agree with Keith on that video card dump. You can pick up a Radeon 9550 in a 128mb version for around 70 bucks and a 256mb for around 100. Both of them are solid cards and they'll save you a ton of money.

[TheChef]

The minimum video card for today's games (if you are interested in them) is a Radeon 9600Pro, which for 128 mb is around 85. You should get a Pentium 4 with HT (around 3.06 GHz is fine) for recording. If you get a Intel 9xx series motherboard with that (ex. 915), you will need a PCI Express video card, which will cost a bit more, but will be slightly faster. If you don't want to go with a PCIx motherboard, get an 8xx Intel motherboard. You don't want to buy an AGP video card and find out you have a PCIx motherboard. As for the other things, good choice.

[Weak as Hate]

cool, thanks for the help guys, I'm going to check out some of the stuff you mentioned....the day draws near