Best Laptop/Desktop Tracking-only no Mixing

[PT_Nathan]

I built a great Pro Tools system myself for about $1800. The problem is the band moved to a new rehearsal/recording space, and I don't want to move the Pro Tool system over there. So, I need a very inexpensive solution (laptop or desktop) to track-only, no mixing. I will mix at home on the system that can handle the Pro Tools maximum already. Just so you know the "mixing system" is too large to move back-and-forth, and I live in Chicago w/o car anyway.

PT specs:
- Pro tools 7.3
- No additional plug-ins (not that it matters)
- Digi 002
- Presonus Digimax D8 for 8 additional mic-pres

Any help is appreciated.

[albee1952]

Maybe a used MacBook with firewire? Seriously, PC laptops are a total crapshoot. If it s gotta be a PC, look at the Lenovo stuff. I had a Gateway single 1.7GHz Centrino that ran PT quite nicely(long gone so I can't tell you the model).

[TOM@METRO]

+1 for Lenovo.

[epu]

+ 5000 For Lenovo. Every IBM/Lenovo laptop I've owned ran Pro Tools (all versions) FLAWLESSLY (I've used the X31, 61, X61T, X200T, T30, T41, T61 and T400). Just make sure you have ALL of the Lenovo Driver updates and ALL of the Microsoft updates. For tracking you'd need to either purchase a SIIG Express Card firewire card, or go USB! Good luck!

[sw rec]

NO on the USB drive for tracking!!!!! Usb bandwidth can't keep up with the demands of even trying to do one or two tracks. You NEED a secondary drive for your audio, period. And it NEEDS to be Firewire, NOT USB.

[daeron80]

I've done many hours of tracking and some editing with an 002R and a Dell Inspiron 8200, which has built in firewire. Running 6.7 on it, not 7.x, simply because that's what my original Windows install disc is, and it works, so why mess with it? The sessions always open up perfectly on my desktop with 7.3.1. Never a hitch. I doubt that laptop is worth more than $25 now. But it runs. Whether just any Inspiron would work, IDK. Like they said, could be I just lucked out in the crap shoot.

[epu]

SW REC, when I mentioned USB, I was referring to the DIGIDESIGN INTERFACE (MBox, MBox2, MBox2 Mini, MBox2 Micro) and NOT the hard drive used to record audio. Obviously you will need a second hard drive for Audio. I was simply stating that a USB DIGIDESIGN BOX would work with any Lenovo out of the Box and that in order to use FIREWIRE, you would need the appropriate expansion card (Card Bus for anything older than a T6x, X6x) or an Express Card (recent models).

[PT_Nathan]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I tried to use my Dell D820 from work, but the O2 Micro firewire chipset is apparently garbage. I will take all your advice and get a used Lenovo. I used to use those at work, and always liked them. Found them very stable.

Thanks again for the direction. Good recording to all!

[kbruff]

[QUOTE=albee1952; PC laptops are a total crapshoot. If it s gotta be a PC, look at the Lenovo stuff. [/QUOTE]

Google:

Musicxpc
ADK
pcuadiolabs
rain computers

They all source high end laptops capable of running PT.

[soundtech]

Hi Nathan

Take a read of my post on this page. Hope it helps.