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Post by rob61 on Nov 6, 2017 8:55:32 GMT -6
Needing laptop recommendations for audio. I've been using a 14 year old Dell (PC) with Windows XP, and it works fine with my MOTU 16a for remotes. Thought it was time to finally replace. Went out and bought a mid level ($1000 on sale for $800) HP Pavilion, Windows 10, and new 8th gen Intel I7. Unfortunately, it is NOT suitable for real time audio, as tweaking and testing proved.
I only use the laptop for a few remotes a year, but I need something RELIABLE, RELIABLE, RELIABLE. No going back on a live concert. While I'm firmly in the PC camp, I'd even consider a used Apple laptop if its rock solid. I'd prefer to stay in the $700-$800 bracket if its possible. Anyone with laptops that process real time audio efficiently and reliably? The MOTU 16a has USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt (1 & 2) ports.
In my testing I found two great PC programs (free) that will test for real time processing of audio data. They are LatencyMon and DPC Latency Checker. If you're having any latency issues (including crackles, pops, and drop outs) check them out.
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Post by joseph on Nov 6, 2017 9:17:47 GMT -6
What is your sample rate?
I would think a Macbook with SSD would be your best bet, but you might not want to skimp on the CPU if you're recording in 96khz, for example.
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Post by rob61 on Nov 6, 2017 12:42:36 GMT -6
No, use 44.1, 24 bit.
Usually 10-12 channels are enough. If I need over 16, I bring the desktop PC and not a laptop.
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Post by rowmat on Nov 6, 2017 12:52:36 GMT -6
SSD, 16gigs RAM, i7 CPU is the minimum spec IMO.
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Post by rob61 on Nov 6, 2017 13:01:05 GMT -6
SSD, 16gigs RAM, i7 CPU is the minimum spec IMO. Found out that isn't enough, at least in the PC world. The laptop I bought was an HP with an i7 gen 8 (very latest) quad core, 16 gig mem, NVidia graphics card, touch screen, USB 3.1. But the real time processing was unable to keep up, so audio would click, pop, and stutter. After much investigation, and using those two software tools for testing real time processing, I found there is a big difference between a "fast" PC and one that can handle real time audio. I tried shutting down unneeded services and optimizing it as suggested on lots of websites. But it just wouldn't reliably handle it. That's why I'm asking here, for those that are successful using a laptop, and which models work well. Returns are difficult to impossible, so I want to make sure the next one is up to the task. |
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Post by adamjbrass on Nov 6, 2017 13:04:31 GMT -6
I am really enjoying my Dell Mobile Precision 7510 XCTO BASE, its a Dual-Core i7, 2.5ghz with 16GB of ram. Two SSD in it. I am using 192K with it. I had to configure the ever loving snot out of it though. [Using a Merging Pyramix System] But its slamming pretty hard at the moment with SUPER low latency and plenty of power for the stuff I do with it.
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Post by rowmat on Nov 6, 2017 13:27:22 GMT -6
SSD, 16gigs RAM, i7 CPU is the minimum spec IMO. Found out that isn't enough, at least in the PC world. The laptop I bought was an HP with an i7 gen 8 (very latest) quad core, 16 gig mem, NVidia graphics card, touch screen, USB 3.1. But the real time processing was unable to keep up, so audio would click, pop, and stutter. After much investigation, and using those two software tools for testing real time processing, I found there is a big difference between a "fast" PC and one that can handle real time audio. I tried shutting down unneeded services and optimizing it as suggested on lots of websites. But it just wouldn't reliably handle it. That's why I'm asking here, for those that are successful using a laptop, and which models work well. Returns are difficult to impossible, so I want to make sure the next one is up to the task. My 2012 MacBook Pro is still running fine for most things but when you say "real time" what do you mean because there ain't no such as real time unless you're not doing any processing at all. Are you trying to monitor via the output (post DAW) while overdubbing? I would say a 32 sample buffer is generally not too noticeable at least to be a major issue for most. However a 64 sample buffer can introduce too much latency for many. Can new laptops cope with 32 sample buffers without glitching? Although it doesn't show it in the summary it also is fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1GB.  |
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Post by svart on Nov 6, 2017 13:51:21 GMT -6
What?
I use a few generations old I5 and it murders dozens of tracks in reaper. If you have an I7 and SSD and decent ram and have issues, then there is something configured very wrongly..
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Post by Ward on Nov 6, 2017 13:52:21 GMT -6
2011 17" MacBook Pro here. Flawlessly working
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Post by matt555 on Nov 6, 2017 17:20:14 GMT -6
It is possible it is the Nvidia graphics driver that's causing the problem. You would need to download a latency monitor to verify. Other people with similar specc'ed PC's have had exactly the same issue. Thanks, Matt
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Post by rowmat on Nov 6, 2017 18:07:18 GMT -6
I found this... www.resplendence.com/latencymonQUOTE: The audio latency problem "Windows is not a real-time operating system. All requests to the operating system are delivered on a best effort basis. There are no guarantees whatsoever that requests are delivered within a certain time frame, which are the characteristics of a real-time operating system. That is not a problem for most devices and tasks but this is bad news for audio applications (which are considered soft real-time) because they need to deliver data to the subsystem and the hardware in buffers several times per second. If one or more buffers miss their deadlines and are not delivered in time it has audible consequences which are recognized as dropouts, clicks and pops." |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Nov 6, 2017 18:17:48 GMT -6
A mac also hasn't been a real-time OS since system 9.
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Post by rowmat on Nov 6, 2017 18:32:39 GMT -6
A mac also hasn't been a real-time OS since system 9. Was that the shift from Motorola to Intel? |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Nov 6, 2017 18:49:01 GMT -6
It was the shift to Berkeley Unix aka NeXt.
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Post by notneeson on Nov 6, 2017 20:22:36 GMT -6
It was the shift to Berkeley Unix aka NeXt. I played on a record made at CCRMA in the 90s, I was fascinated by the NeXt terminals hanging around. |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Nov 6, 2017 20:31:14 GMT -6
My friend Tovar was the sysop there. His stories combined with my wife's from editing all of the NeXt training materials was why I switched to PC rather than embracing system neXt.
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Post by notneeson on Nov 6, 2017 21:05:37 GMT -6
My friend Tovar was the sysop there. His stories combined with my wife's from editing all of the NeXt training materials was why I switched to PC rather than embracing system neXt. At the time, I couldn't get more than a shrug out of anyone I asked about them. |
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Post by Bender on Nov 6, 2017 21:22:43 GMT -6
That's the problem right there. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 7, 2017 6:02:50 GMT -6
ya my mbp 2012 i7, 16 gigs of ram and 2 internal ssd's works great too, although 3 keys are getting wonky (I,o,and u)
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Post by kilroyrock on Nov 7, 2017 7:26:47 GMT -6
i did a childrens choir and band (same time) off a core 2 duo and 6 gigs ram with pro tools 11? I did have to increase the buffer and monitor NOT off the computer, just recording the directs for processing later.
Turn off your wifi and network drivers, see if that does it. Can't you mix the show from the 16a directly which would keep it from needing the computer for processing?
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Post by Bender on Nov 7, 2017 13:07:09 GMT -6
I'm telling ya, it's the touch screen. Those things are MEMORY HOGS and just slow the machine down IME. Return the laptop get one without a touchscreen with the same specs and I bet you'll be golden. GUARANTEED.
You don't really need the touch features right? I have a touchscreen laptop and only occasionally use the touchpad, let alone in my DAW; more of novelty than anything & far from essential.
After you uninstall all the bloatware that comes with the laptop she'll do ya just fine .
my 2cents
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