Super Cheap Setup Advice

[nasa09]

I'm terrible when it comes to specs and compatabilities, so I was hoping to get some advice from more knowledgable folks here. Let me preface this by saying that yes, I'm sure there are betters ways to do what I'm doing, but this is the route I'd like to explore.

SO...my primary setup includes a Digi002 and a desktop computer that isn't convenient to move. The problem is, a few times a year I travel to the other side of the country and almost always play shows with my old band. I'd like to be able to record our live shows and also lay down some basic tracks for other recordings while the band is all together in one place.

I don't have a lot of money to spend on this, so I was planning on just getting a cheap laptop dedicated to protools; I'd simply take that and my Digi002 with me when I travel and install whatever version of protools that laptop can handle.

So, in the opinion of the fine folks of this forum, which of the following three laptops would be the best choice for this project?

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-D620-Lapt.../dp/B001U5617K

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iBook-La...ywords=macbook

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Powerboo...ywords=macbook

Any help or insight that anyone can provide would be most appreciated!

(I wasn't sure which forum to post this to, since the laptops in question are both Windows and Mac.)

[albee1952]

My 2 cents only, but none of those would be on my list. I would scour the local area, eBay and Craigslist for a late 2000's MacBook Pro. At least a core 2 with firewire. PC laptops are a crapshoot anyway, and "cheap" won't get enough RAM, a compatible FW port or separate graphics. And be careful of what version of OSX is installed so that your version of PT is compatible(many retailers will update to the newest versions, which may not work you any LE Pro Tools).

[zedhed]

If budget is a considerable obstacle, you may want to give some thought to not using Pro Tools at all.

There are plenty of other products out there that are less picky about which computer they'll run on.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by zedhed

If budget is a considerable obstacle, you may want to give some thought to not using Pro Tools at all.

There are plenty of other products out there that are less picky about which computer they'll run on.

Well said^^^

[mbourque]

There's also some good apps on iPad to record multitrack. There are more and more sound cards compatible and it's really portative! I know it's not based on what you asked, but it's an other option, and it could be very cheap.

[junkgear]

I agree with the others; sticking with Avid recommemded hardware will save you lots of trouble getting things to work properly. Something from Apple would most likely be the easiest route.

[JFreak]

Yes, and some of the mentioned Apple hardware actually are Avid/Digidesign supported computers to be used with Protools, but bear in mind that those machines are OLD and they require very old Protools version as well. So if one have anything recent in mind, those are a no-go.

[Bookerv12]

Hey,

Do yourself a favor and just get Presonus Studio One.
Super cheap to get into and super easy to use.
If you have a need for ProTools after that, transfer the wav files and go nuts.

I like PT, but there are easier more efficient daws for live.

Have fun.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by Bookerv12

Do yourself a favor and just get Presonus Studio One.
Super cheap to get into and super easy to use.
If you have a need for ProTools after that, transfer the wav files and go nuts..

Get a studio live interface and record live - I love that setup it sounds so much better than the X32 in my humble opinion

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by YYR123

Get a studio live (studio one comes with an interface) and record live - I love that setup it sounds so much better than the X32 in my humble opinion