Please help me.

DrWho · Post by **DrWho** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:14 pm

As much as I hate Redmond - I don't think any of the Linux variants will do you any good for recording software - although I have not surveyed for this. But it will put you in a much different (restricted) class of computer / software support. If you not into computers just because they are computers - I would NOT recommend the Linux route.

The only real alternative is Apple - there you will have some good options, and some really good options - but will pay much more $$.

The Visat thing is a crap shoot - thats because Vista is bloated with crap

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:00 am

Thanks Diego, George and Art for more excellent information.

Also Jon for laying out the pro's and cons so clearly. This is VERY VERY helpful to me and I'll keep you updated when I finally get my new comp....probably as Stephen said, PC with XP.

Looks like some comp. sellers give the option of XP or Vista, but not both unfortunately.

You guys are great!

Dee

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:54 pm

I just upped my ante a week ago with a Quadcore processor and 4 gigs of RAM (Dell XPS). It came with Vista. Vista CAN be a nightmare. On the other hand, it is the future. I was able to get my hands on SP1 for Vista and it does run much better now. I think it will become official in a few more weeks. With my various tweaks, it is running like a charm.

Windows is not a bad option, and with the development of Windows 7 already in the works (and with only a 28mb kernel, their smallest in 10 years) we are likely to see some nice jumps in the next year with developers and manufacturers working with the OS.

XP is extremely stable and with SP3 due any time now, it might be worth having, though MS has ended official distribution of it and support will likely only last another year or so.

Jon

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:57 am

Hope that the computer does work out well, Dee,

AND if maybe a couple of you,..(Cordial has done it already), could listen to my March entry again...see if the sound works better with the higher bitrate...

Many Thanks!! ellll

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:56 am

Just wondering if we are going to get a March completion list started...and if everyone is on track besides those who have already posted?

Take care all.

Jon

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:47 am

Yeah, I was just thinking I should get it going. At least then it'll be set for the month. I wonder if I can copy it. I'll try copy and paste and see if that works.

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:15 pm

Friends,

I do wonder about an issue...

I have now, very fine sound and purity, after cleaning up my stuff on the keyboard..(Fx!!!) ...., in my HEADPHONES...both Pro 4AAA...AND note..ESP 6A (electrostatic) rebuilt and perfect, with charts..(but painful to wear, so I also have some Senn. lightweight....)...yet so many say to check ALWAYS on high quality monitors speakers.....

WHY??? People today, mostly, (including ALL my childrens and grandchildrens friends and other kin...I have checked this...they listen almost exclusively on headphones......).....(as I DO!....)...Who listens on speaker systems anymore? And the 'phones never do fail to detect every nuance,; thats really true for the electrostatics...and the Sennheisers...

Best Regards!!! ellll

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:45 pm

Well, Ellll, the old schoolers in here will argue with us, but i still say, if phones are what you got and how you do it, then go for it. I do every single aspect of my stuff from start to finsih thru headphones, now i do go from one set to another, because one pair i have is very tinny sounding and another is bass heavy, but i mix and remaster several times based on a combination of listens from 2 quality phones. However, I usually like to hear the music come out my home surround sound system (even though my stuff is only 2 way stereo) just to make sure I don't have any glaring issue like the voice disappears or there's an obvious level of too much bass or high end stuff. But ellll, your work is amazing and I would go with what you're doing. In my headphones your mix is magnificent. And I agree, almost all music nowadays is thru phones.

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:05 pm

Hi Again!! George,

And, I am so GLAD!!!!!, to find you use them so much!! In fact, I have all my life. as I have the ESP6A's, and they have not been topped even today...I have also used the other Koss and Sennheiser models...and I have heard all the args. against them/for them...but I LISTEN ..., in the CAR..., in my home through 'phones only..., and on the move..., ipod..(!!)...so why do I need surround? never liked the way it makes music "feel" anyway...and I detest TV and video...

I do hope some others will answer this query... as well,.. but I can tell you, Your stuff is spot on...and if they do for you they do for me...so listen to me through 'phones...the real way to hear music...!!

My Best!!! ellll

Edit: You want to get it tight...palm heels under your jaw on each side, rest on your elbows.. with any 'phone...and use your fingers to "manipulate the 'phones a little...NOTHING in this world is more clear!, and WONDERFUL!!

sewa · Post by **sewa** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:01 pm

Same here John. I mix on my AKG's and I'm usually pleased with the results. I can't rely on my Behringer monitors anyway as they ALWAYS sound good lol...

Couple of times I also finished my mixes using mp3 headphones...what sounded good there, would sound good pretty much anywhere.

I have to admit though, that I have no experience with high end studio monitors.

sewa

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:38 pm

I have to admit that I have never mixed with headphones.

But I do listen to the mix through them.

I usually start with my speakers (not THAT high end), and then reference through a mid-level set of headphones. If I am satisfied, I burn a CD and play it through a cheap boombox, and then I find a friend and play it as a passenger in their car or SUV. Believe it or not it is that last step that I find the majority of my musical mistakes and sound issues. One trip back to my speakers to fix the issues and then out to my car to test the mix again.

Then, if it is part of a project I grab the songs that I think will fall on either side of it and attempt to master accordingly, though I usually find myself remastering the entire CD once it is completed.

Jon

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:01 pm

I have a pair of Samson RH600 http://www.samsontech.com/products/prod ... &brandID=2
These are the second of two that I have owned, and I do use them extensively for mixdowns. They don't "lie" to me. I love these phones, and will continue to use them as long as they are available. I wore the first pair out completely.
The process I use is, I'll do all my recording, and preliminary mixing through my M-Audio BX-5A nearfields, then a thorough check using my Polk 10 Studio monitors, then the Samson cans, and finally the car stereo.
I've had My 01 Honda Accord for many years now, and I'm very familiar with the stereo, that helps a great deal.
One last check in the CD player of the 06 Toyota I drive for work, and if I can't hear any major problems, I call it ready for critique.
I don't hear well anymore so I can't fully trust my ears, therefore I rely on my friends to tell me if there's to much high end, etc.
Oh...Almost forgot, I often listen to a final mix using cheap iPod/Walkman type headphones/earbuds, just to see how different the mix sounds.

Can't hurt!

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:53 pm

Hi Stephen and others,

I am glad to see the mention about hearing...I fail to tell that I have slightly reduced hearing in the LEFT...result of a diving blowout 25 years ago....free diving to 90 feet...and I failed one time, 'cause I had a cold....(Another lesson learned too late...).

Should you ever hear too much to the LEFT.. PLEASE let me know about it...

(but I usually catch it on the Audacity waveform O.K...).

I know of the 'phones by Samson...never even saw a set...Sounds great from what you say...will check them out...but I still love my Koss ESP 6A set. The newer ones were too ex. at $2000+, so I had these rebuilt several years ago..and they are still great....just HARD and HEAVY...

Yet again we are STILL speaking of listening with speakers, AFTER each of you is satisfied with your result.

I am arguing for throwing out the traditional speaker on favor of some new methods..(more later..) and very high grade headphones/buds...You guys are stuck in your "living rooms" where you do very little real living.

The area between here and somewhere else is where it's at, which is why my new Honda CIVIC has acc. for the stereo to bring it to high grade (Blaup.)...without removing the odd/angular original from thos people at Honda...and to inc. satrad and ipod...I drive it from FL to CA...its GREAT!!! I have open buds w/noise can. for the car... My Regards, ellll;:roll:

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:55 pm

the kind i use are the sony mdr-v700

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V700DJ-S ... 641&sr=1-1

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:52 pm

Not to change the subject,

But any others get tired ears...or put another way, I begin hearing the "grain" or "sand" that seems to go with electronic digital reproduction and effects..?? .I have been really writing hard...(not necessarilly well....

)...and I guess it is just sounding bad to me....Kind of discouraging....

Regards!!! ellll