OT: New System Advice? (Or, how would YOU spend $5000?)

[XanaX]

Hi All~

A friend of mine would like to me to help him put together a DAW system for around $4000. (His total budget for the first year is $5000, but we're aiming for $4K in case he wants to add another computer).

He needs: a computer, sound card/interface, sequencer and samples/VIs. He needs to be capable of producing decent but not broadcast-quality orchestral mockups (his partner is GS3/VSL equipped), as well as a palette of electronic/synthetic sounds.

I have a basic idea of what to recommend, but I'd like to hear your visions as well.

Thanks.

[Ashermusic]

Hi All~

A friend of mine would like to me to help him put together a DAW system for around $4000. (His total budget for the first year is $5000, but we're aiming for $4K in case he wants to add another computer).

He needs: a computer, sound card/interface, sequencer and samples/VIs. He needs to be capable of producing decent but not broadcast-quality orchestral mockups (his partner is GS3/VSL equipped), as well as a palette of electronic/synthetic sounds.

I have a basic idea of what to recommend, but I'd like to hear your visions as well.

Thanks.

Well, I am afraid this would be closer to $5k. Dual G5 Mac w/ Logic Pro 7, a Echo Layla audio inteface, the 3 Spectrasonics plug-ins, and Kirk Hunter's Emerald library and/or perhaps GPO.

The advantage of Logic Pro in this scenario (instead of DP, Cubase, or Sonar which are all great apps, so let's not start flaming), is what is included with it. It comes with terrific softsynths and the EXS24 sampler, decent FX with Channel Strips to get you going and teach you about using FX, and a good convolution reverb that used to sell for $500 by itself.

This presumes that he already has a keyboard controller.

[XanaX]

Yep, he's all set as far as controller(s) go. In fact, he already has a couple of Mac 9600s running some 3.x version of Cubase as well as some modules (e.g. JV-2080), so he's not completely new to the game---just a tad archaic.;)

[XanaX]

Is he going to need to buy GS3 and VSL to be compatible with his partner? If so, that's going to soak up a lot of the budget before any hardware is purchased.

If he can go Mac, Logic would get him off to a quick, economical start (it's loaded with great plug-ins and content, and has an excellent convolution reverb).

Lee Blaske

He won't be needing the GS3/VSL combo at this stage. I'm thinking an orchestral set in the under-$500 range (with possible upgrade path) should satisfy him for now.

How much RAM were you guys thinking to start off with? (I'm leaning towards 2G). Also---Any idea how much it costs to assemble a custom PC in the States? Here in Israel, it's actually stupidly inexpensive (or so it seems to me)---around $40.

[Ashermusic]

He won't be needing the GS3/VSL combo at this stage. I'm thinking an orchestral set in the under-$500 range (with possible upgrade path) should satisfy him for now.

How much RAM were you guys thinking to start off with? (I'm leaning towards 2G). Also---Any idea how much it costs to assemble a custom PC in the States? Here in Israel, it's actually stupidly inexpensive (or so it seems to me)---around $40.

2 gig is good.

[XanaX]

Sound card/interface recommendations?
I don't think he will be recording very much live audio at any given time.

[Ashermusic]

Sound card/interface recommendations?
I don't think he will be recording very much live audio at any given time.

Again, www.echoaudio.com. Good sound, good drivers, good prices.

[Nick Batzdorf]

Does he have a keyboard already?

[XanaX]

Does he have a keyboard already?

Yes.

Like I said earlier, he's not new to MIDI. He just hasn't upgraded his rig since about 1998.:p

He's finally ready to go "soft."

[ZareOne]

Hi!

I am new in orchestral music, but I would like to give my opinion :) :

1. Computer: $1200
-AMD Athlon 64 processor
-2GB of DDR RAM @ 400 MHz
-Asus motherboard
-2 x SATA 200 GB HD's

-Fanless graphics card with dual monitor support
-Antec Sonata case (for quieter operation)
-2 x 17" TFT monitor (or one 19" TFT)

2. Audio interface: $500
-EMU 1820M (The actual drivers are OK, and has a pristine sound)

3. Software/libraries:
-Cubase SL 3 $400
-Kirk Hunter's Emerlad $250
-EWQL Gold $500
-Garritan Personal Orchestra $250
-G-Town samples $0!!!
-ProjectSAM Bundle(True Strike/Brass) $700
-Voxengo Pristine Space Convolution Rvb $140
-Rob Papen Blue VSTi Synth $200
-Crystal VSTi Synth $0!!!
-NI Kontakt 2 (crossgrade from GPO) $270

I think it's enough for starting.... (I wish I had so much :( )

Just my $0,02

:)

[Lunatique]

Here's my recommendation:

Host sequencer:
Sonar 5 Producer Edition - You get highend effects plugins (Sonitus:fx, Lexicon Pantheon) that are the ONLY sequencer host included plugins deemed high enough quality for serious orchestral compositions by Paul Gilreath, in his Guide to MIDI Orchestration 3rd edition book (awesome book BTW). (This excludes convolution reverb. However, Sonar 5's got its own convolution reverb now as well, plus the excellent V-Vocal). There are also some really excellent soft instruments included in version 5--ones that rival the quality of the Logic ones (and those are very nice). Also remember, if you go with Logic, you'll have to spend more on a Mac machine for similar specs as a PC machine. I think (but am not sure) you also get discounts on other awesome Cakewalk products like z3ta+, Dimension Pro, Project 5, Voxengo suite, Cameleon 5000..etc if you buy Sonar 5.

Computer:
2GB RAM definitely. Can't have too much RAM. CPU probably isn't as important to be at the bleeding edge--a step or two (or even three) down from the current edge would be just fine (I'm running a P4 2.8 Intel myself, and it's just fine). Hard drives are cheap these days. Go hog wild on the big-~~~ drives--as long as they are minimum 7200 rpm.

Sound card:
I think you really don't need to spend so much on a sound card as others suggested. There are prosumer cards out there that are excellent for pro audio work (especially considering he won't be recording lots of live instruments). I personally use an Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 card, and I love it. It can be used for home entertaiment (7.1 surround sound home theater and video games), and it can be used for pro audio work (GSIF, WDM, ASIO. MME) with great latency performance. The card comes bundled with some great softwares too--it's even got a headphone amp!

Samplers & sample libraries:
Kirk Hunter Emerald - for the quality content at the price, it's simply the best deal out there by a far mile.

Sonik Synth 2 - Great collection of various bread & butter sounds (guitars, basses, drums, keyboards..etc), and also a great collection of synth sounds (lovingly selected and sampled from a huge list of who's who of important synths in synth history).

Probably one of the well-known choir libraries like Symphony of Voices, Voices of the Apocalypse, Peter Siedlaczek's Classical Choir..etc.

I think this setup will give you great versatility to do any style of music, at a quality that's pro standard (if you know how to use them right, and is very good at production techniques). Of course, you can spend a lot more for more expensive variety of products with similar focus (for example, swap out the Kirk Hunter Emerald with a VSL product, or Sonik Synth 2 with EWQL Collossus, USB's Ultrafocus, highend drum library like DFH, a host of highend softsynths, and some highend guitar/bass/sax/keyboard libraries), but that's only you absolutely need to be at the bleeding edge.

[XanaX]

Thanks for the replies.

It's kind of fun to spend other people's money.:|: