New music workstation, either laptop or PC...

[Jupiter1111]

I need a new music workstation, either laptop or PC. I only need to record one track at a time and projects will be pretty simple, say 10 tracks, half audio, half virtual instruments. If I go the laptop route it will probably be windows 7 so I need to know if Cubase 3.0 SX, addictive drums, dimension pro, guitar rig, etc. can run on that OS. I know about compatibility mode but is anyone actually running old programs with any success on Windows 7. I have a project mix io that is firewire. Has anyone used a PCMCIA / express card firewire adaptor card in case laptop doesn't have firewire. If I go the the PC route I'll be running XP. I know I'll be limited what resources I be able to use i.e. 4GB ram, etc. but any modern hardware setup should still work with XP? Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks Mark.

[ecc83]

I don't know about the other softwares but I would be very suprised if Cubase 3.0SX ran on W7 (espc' 64 bit and you need to go that way if W7 at all).

Laptops are a nightmare crapshoot for audio* and you will struggle to find a new one with a PCMCIA slot, even Firewire will be hard to find and that only 4 pin so you will not have bus power.

You are probably better off sticking with XP so long as you have that software. 4G ram should be fine for your limited track needs (it will only "see" 3 and a bit). Hardrives are pretty cheap again now so you can have one for OS/DAW, one for samples and one just for shunting audio in and out of. Do all the music optimizations and tweaks and you should be fine.

*I have an HP i3 g6 laptop with 4G ram, W7/64 and it runs Cubase Elements 6 fine, 13-14 tracks using an NI Ka6 interface. It is also virtually silent but it does not have a PMCIA slot nor Fwire.

Dave.

[mentalaboutmusic00]

Dave how is Cubase Elements 6? Thinking of making the upgrade from essential 4 what do you reckon?

[ecc83]

Dave how is Cubase Elements 6? Thinking of making the upgrade from essential 4 what do you reckon?

Pretty good but.....
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products...l_version.html

What's to lose?

Forgot to add. If you DO buy LE6 make sure you punt the extra 15quid or so for a dongle. Otherwise the software will be locked to just one pc. ("they" don't make this obvious!)

Dave.