The best PC or notebook setup?

[Diego H. Costa]

Hi, my name is Diego H. Costa and I don't speak english so good... Sory for what...

I have a PreSonus FIREPOD but I don't have a PC or notebook yet. I want to buy something that could work without problems...


On the web it says:
Minimum computer system requirements:

Windows
• OS: Microsoft Windows XP
• Computer: Windows compatible computer with FireWire port.
• CPU/Clock: Pentium, Athlon with 900Mhz or higher (1.5GHz)
• Memory(RAM): 256 MB (512MB recommended)



I had tryed the Firepod with a AMD Sempron 2800+ with (x2) 512 MB ram 400 in dual channel and DFI Ultra Infinity II motherboar.

I don't have latency when I put ASIO driver, but I can't set HIGH in PreSunus icon. I use it in LOW.

The question is... What do I have to buy to use it at maximun level? Do I need more CPU processor, more ram, or what? :eek:


Thanks for everything!

[Yay]

Is the "high" CPU not availble on the menu? Or you CAN select it, but your DAW shows the buffer size locked around 8 ms even when 3ms is selected in the CP and "synchs" with th FP?

I had a very similar issue and ended up selling the Firepods.

I use HP dv5237cl notebook. Core Duo 1.83, 2GB ram 667 MHz

Maybe a thread called "CPU thing" will (not) help you.

:)

Best wishes.


Edit: Looking forward to know what they'll say you have to buy.

Y.

[Yay]

"FIREPOD CONTROL PANEL ADVANCED SETTINGS:
You can “Right Click” on the FIREPOD control panel icon to select between three different computer
optimization settings. These settings optimize the buffers and audio streaming settings based on the speed of
your processor. If you are experiencing audio drop outs, it is recommended that you select a lower CPU
setting.
High: Computer Processor 2GHz and higher
Medium (default): Computer Processor 1GHz to 2GHz
Low: Computer Processor 800MHz to 1GHz"

From the manual online.


My computer is a 1.83 (Core Duo) and still I could not use Waves plugins on an armed channel when the CPU was set to medium... Even when using a single track, after a few minutes, it started to click/drop like hell in every single DAW I tested. (medium used to lock the buffer around 4 ms)

:(

Y.

EDIT: Not even in my Pentium 4 3.2 HT 1GB RAM desktop. All the same all along.

[Diego H. Costa]

Thanks Yay!
I had red that on the manual:

High: Computer Processor 2GHz and higher
Medium (default): Computer Processor 1GHz to 2GHz
Low: Computer Processor 800MHz to 1GHz"


But I don't understand... 'Cuz... If you have a 1.83 Mhz (Core Duo) and still have problems...


For that reason I want to know what I have to buy for user real time plug-ins, HIGH level in PreSonus icon, etc...
With mi CPU setting and ASIO driver turned on I can make real time FX... But I don't know if this will be secure and if I can record at the same time... If I will working... I don't want to take risk!


So...
What kind of CPU?
What Kind of Notebook?
What kind of powerbook?
What kind of Mac?



Thanks for your time! :o)

[Yay]

Well....with a nobreak and the right amount of guts, I would say it's a low risk situation.

With that AND a splitter sending the inputs to a mixer (at the venue - local del concierto hehehe), its a very very low risk situation. And you can also send a mix from the monitor desk to the FOH as a plan C.

Just don't forget to tweak the machine in order to obtain the desired performance and the right amount of safety.

Yes, you can record at the same time you are mixing (twisting the knobs of vsts and fader/send moves) but the DAW plays an important role: In Pro Tools, when there were dropouts, the drops didn't stop monitoring functions... only HD audio streaming (and a message was displayed on the screen). When I switched to Reaper (www.reaper.fm) the drops just stopped.
It became one steady machine (apart from the latency issues with the firepod).

Hope this helps. :)

Y.

PS: I don't understand the 1.83GHz thing either...
And what do you have to buy? Maybe another interface! LOL

[Diego H. Costa]

Yay... Thanks!
Yes... I know the Venue power, but I don't have it! I just have my firepod!

I'm using VEGAS 6.0, but I will try the REAPER...



You had say that you have a intel core duo 1.83GHz and you can't use real time FX like a compressor... rigth?


********************************
OK, just a little game for PreSonus people:

Your PC/MAC/NOTEBOOK is broken and you have to buy another one new for work with Firepod on the best performance and low risk!

What processor you'll buy? How much RAM memory? type? Hard disk driver? motherboar...? etc... etc... etc...

I need some opinion for that! PLEASE!!!! :eek:

[Yay]

Yeah... good game! LOL

I said venue as the place where the show happens, not the con$ole.

venue = local del concierto. hehehe Hope my spanish is not rusty.

Y.

HEY, MR. JBSKY.... YOU ALWAYS HELP ME.... CAN YOU HELP THIS GUY TOO?

[Diego H. Costa]

PreSonus people don't wont to play my game...
I want to recibe opinions from everybody, but i'm especially interesting in Mr. JBSKY, for example...


JAJAJAJA... VENUE (local de concierto) JAJAJA
OK... no the VENUE from Digidesing! JAJAJAJAJA


So... "you have the money..." BUY A COMPUTER, MAC, NOTEBOOK to get exellent results with the FIREPOD! I want to burn it doing everything! :D

[bulkhead]

Diego-
There are so many variables to what you are asking.
I think we all know that you don't want to buy a comp with Windows Media Center Edition.
Some people are experiencing problems with the new Core 2 duo Pentium Processor and onboard firewire.
Some people (myself) have a laptop using MCE and no problems with the FirePod and an external firewire hard drive, others can't make it work.
Check out my signature below for my setup on my main desktop.
As for my laptop (gotta add this to the sig also):
Athlon 64 +4000, 1 gig ram, firepod worked great with external firewire hard drive.
All of my processors are old, like a dinosaur. But they get the job done.
You need to look around in the tech section to find out what people are
having problems with.
Good luck.

[Yay]

Lets wait for the Presonus team to get back from the new year's celebration...

I'm sure they'll help us.

about the variables... yes, there are many... we could use some narrowing in that field!
:)

Y.

[Diego H. Costa]

OK... I'll wait...
But, I need to buy a PC/MAC/NOTEBOOK and work with me Firepod!


[BULKHEAD]
"Some people are experiencing problems with the new Core 2 duo Pentium Processor and onboard firewire."

I have a onboar fireware port and I don't have problems, I guest... But I don't really know. What kind of problems could have and onboar fieware port? Maybe That's my problem! JAJAJAJA I don't know!