Hi everyone! I currently have a MacBook (the white one). Whenever I try to do anything in Pro Tools 11 a.) it says that I need to add more RAM, and b.) It doesn't respond to my MIDI keyboard or... really anything. Also I had a pair of SRH440s, and the tip broke off inside the headphone jack, so the only way I can listen to things out loud is via a bluetooth speaker (yes, I took it to a computer store... they couldn't get it out). For these reasons, I am considering getting a new computer strictly for composing. I want to not only be able to use Pro Tools 11, but I would also like to have room for multiple libraries. I am a college student, so I would prefer a laptop (I just don't have space in my dorm for a desktop/remotely nice setup). Any suggestions/recommendations as to what I should be looking into? Thanks in advance. :)
Composing : Considering a new computer... suggestions? by Brandi Thomas
Considering a new computer... suggestions?
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I use a mac desktop and external hard drives with my recording set up. The thing to worry about is processing power and how large the hard drive is because protools uses a lot of processing power in order to function properly . I don't think a laptop would be the key to a good set up and you don't want to store projects or other stuff on the same hard drive that has your software on it in the event that something gets corrupted. Also latency issues show their ugly head when taxing the computer, that is brought on by using plug ins. My advice would be keep your projects or other library type stuff on a external hard drive and use the main computer for recording. The sad thing about protools is it has two gears novice and pro and almost nothing in between If you want to get serious with it, it will require more equipment and if you don't then it handles basic things well :) One more thing the midi keyboard might need to be adjusted in the IO section of protools.
Hello Jason, thanks for the advice! That is not the first time that I've heard laptops not being the best choice for composing. The issue I'm currently facing is that a.) I do not have enough room in my current living space for a desktop (as much as I would love one), b.) I do not have enough room on my current laptop to even use Pro Tools 11 (I keep getting an error message to install more RAM), and c.) I do not have enough room to import better sound libraries (which I am in desperate need of at the moment). I'm wondering if I install as much RAM as my laptop will allow, will that solve my dilemma? And then of course, I will try messing around with IO settings to resolve the MIDI keyboard issue. Thanks again!
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I use a mac mini for space reasons and it actually works pretty well for me. I have the late 2012 model with a 250GB SSD drive (for speeeeeeeed!) and 16 gigs of ram. I'm know that there are more robust set-ups out there, but this works just fine for me. I never have any problems with RAM and have all of my samples on a 2TB 3.0 USB external hard drive. Also, when using samples like KONTAKT, etc. I use Vienna Ensemble Pro to take care of the heavy lifting. Again, there are more complicated (and expensive) set-ups but I like what I have and it works just fine for me. This set-up of course isn't portable, but it's still extremely space conscious.
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If you're miking real instruments or even vocals and you need EQ on the front end that's when latency shows up. It takes buying more equipment ( analog mixing board etc) so now your talking alot of room needed both in your living space and computer, but if your using samples that wouldn't be the problem but again protools is moody you need your computer to be up to par in RAM and installing drivers (if you need IO) as well as optimizing. Operating system is everything. Now say you got something your working on and it is awesome then all of a sudden CRASH!!! and you didn't back it up.. I would be afraid of this happening with a laptop setup using protools. You might need a less demanding recording software if you want to use a laptop.
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Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I will keep these things in mind as I try to put together a workable setup. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your advice!
Hello Mark, thank you for your response! I should clarify - my composition process starts in Finale, and then I import into Pro Tools to mix, etc. I own a MIDI keyboard because I would like to be able to do it like the pros and just compose straight into the DAW, but my piano skills are not currently up to that par (I'm a flautist). Thank you again for your response, you made some great points! Let the research begin. :)