Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
Hey Ya'll
I'm looking for suggestions on a solid Windows laptop to run the latest Pro Tools software? Let's say in the $2000 area. Also what PT interface or other you suggest. Let's say in the $1000 under area. And finally, how to deal with the noise factor of the laptop as far as sensitive mics nearby? Thanks |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
Please define what type of work you will be doing and what your I/o needs are.
Do you need 8 inputs? 16? Or will 2 do you? Do you need to monitor in surround? For four grand, you can get a range of nice laptops and accompanying interfaces. But we need more info as to how you will use them. |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
My vote: RME Babyface Pro. Whatever you get, please make sure it's at least a Quad Core i7 with a minimum 16 gb of RAM. SSDs on board or better yet NVME M.2s. Also, please have a look at this post for optimizations.
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Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
Looks like a good fit for me.
Honestly, I'm mostly going to one track at a time recording. Like just me laying down a drum machine track. And then bass. And then guitar. And then vocals. etc. Keep the suggestions coming for interface and laptops. Someone suggested a Razer Blade. I don't do any gaming, but I would like a jacked up laptop for audio recording and general use. Even if it is overkill : ) |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
What are some other quality audio interfaces like RME Babyface Pro - in the under $2000 US range?
And what are the latest and greatest connection types (like usb, firewire, usc, etc) I'm buying a new laptop so I'm sure it can match either with factory connection or adapter. Clearly, I am quite clueless. But any suggestions and clarifying is appreciated. |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
ASUS ROG line of laptops can be good, as can some of the Lenovo laptops (do a forum search), but remember, Window laptops are hit and miss a lot of the time.
For a budget interface, look at Audient's line. See your local L&M. For low track count, USB 2.0 is still fine. |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
Ain't no way I'm ditching Windows at this point in the game, so I just need to find a quality Windows laptop.
ASUS ROG looks interesting. The Audient looks lower range. I'm looking more for RME Babyface Pro range and up to maybe $2000 max. Thanks Mike |
Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
Audient has a very good reputation, great bang for the buck. Look at UAD - if you don't mind going down the slippery slope of their proprietary plug-ins - or Apogee, or the RME UCX. RME has some of if not the best Windows drivers and code their own USB drivers, plus support their products long after a particular interface is no longer manufactured. I'm very happy with my UFX and TotalMix and the ARC USB Controller are excellent.
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Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
If you plan on using a lot of Virtual Instruments in Pro Tools, look at Vienna Ensemble Pro. If you're not set on using Pro Tools, but plan on doing a lot of sequencing/ Virtual Instrument work, look at Cubase or Reaper or Studio One. Ableton may also be worth a look.
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Re: Suggestions for Laptop & Interface
You mention
One at a time... Drum machine (or vi?) Bass Guitar ... So on the interface: Do you have nice guitar amps and cabs and mics for them today? And a setup where you can record them today? If not (or if it’s not great) you are very likely better off starting with an Eleven Rack because it is pretty darn good amp sim, gives you basic effects and a good beginner interface as well (has one “average” preamp/mic input). Absolutely fine to get started with overall and a super fun box for any guitar or bass player. And it’s a frogging bargain at a few hundred dollars. And you will get good help from other users here. If you want to spend much more there are fancier options, but nothing touches it at those prices. You may also get better general advice if you list the other equipment you are working with. Again don’t over fixate on one component like wanting a “quality” interface at the expense of monitors or mics. What interface are you using now? I would very likely started with the Eleven Rack and then add a higher end interface later if needed and hand the Eleven Rack off that via S/PDIF. You really need to pay attention to the whole signal chain. Do you have good monitors and headphones (for tracking vocals etc), is the room treated? Do you have some decent starter microphones —for the type of work you are doing. Etc. All that stuff can cost much more than a laptop and interface. Windows laptops are a sad crapshoot with Pro Tools. I would not bother, I just use a MacBook Pro. Hopefully somebody can give you specific recommendations—like exact model/co fig they are using. Talking about brands does not really help you know it will run well. I would look for something with fast internal PCIe/NVMe SSD (and run sessions on the internal drive), 32 GB of DRAM (esp. if it is not upgradeable) and at least 4 cores... can you get away with less, sure. But nobody can guess what your sessions actually look like. |
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