| Author |
Topic: Need a laptop for live performance |
Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
|
Posted 7 Sep 2013 9:35 am |
|
The Dell Latitude 430 I bought refurbished works fine for MIDI output to a keyboard, but the audio is noisy unless it's running on battery power. Which doesn't last long.
How much processor speed and memory do I need to run BiaB 2004 and PowerTracks 10 (older versions?)
What do you suggest for a sound engine? To upgrade from Sound Canvas?
I am on a really tight budget, but want to create a one man show since my band isn't very ambitious. |
|
|
 |
Ken Lang
From:
Simi Valley, Ca
|
Posted 8 Sep 2013 4:03 pm
|
|
Rich. I have had the same problem using my laptop to
an amplifier for doing a single. The problem you have
is no doubt the same as I had.
The sound you hear that ruins everything is ground noise. Use a three way to two way adapter so that your computer has no ground loop. It's what I did
and the problem went away.
By the way, the files I used were from Singsnap which
I converted to MP3's. I must have 150+ country tunes
and almost 270 old rock and such.
_________________
heavily medicated for your safety |
|
|
|
Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
|
Posted 8 Sep 2013 4:51 pm
|
|
| Thank you, Ken. I will try a ground lift, but ground issues usually produce hum, and this isn't a hum. |
|
|
|
Jim Priebe
From:
Queensland, Australia - R.I.P.
|
Posted 9 Sep 2013 7:27 pm
|
|
Rich
That noise is most probably due to the laptop's power supply or any other 'wallwort' you are using. A lot of them tend to have cheapo capacitors and thus bad filtering in their power supplies - they can cause noise and hum to various things in your sound chain. It is a bit of a lottery getting good ones but there are plenty of different ones available to run your laptop and they don't cost the earth - just need to be compatible with you laptop (connector, voltage and polarity).
Sound Canvas is still a good source of midi samples but you may not be just using midis. Windows (the latest versions) don't give you a choice there - just have to use those built in (samples) which are quite OK. So for midi you have enough computer grunt.
With BIAB, the later the version the more grunt you may need especially if you use 'Real Tracks'. Even some of the latest hardware is not instant at calling up the Real Tracks to begin.
The better audio modules in laptops are quite controllable with plenty of digital delay and reverb adjustments and good EQ as well. Realtek audio is usually a good bet - check what your Dell has in it - it may be updateable (is that a word?) from a download. Some low qual. MP3's tend to need good audio as they may be pretty average sound quality and amplifying can make them worse.
I still use a tiny Asus e-eepc netbook and that runs my midis and BIAB fine with no noise and the battery will do a night if I just use that. Only prob is my eyes and the 7" screen in the sunlight if i'm outdoors 
_________________
Priebs GFI ('09)Short-Uni10. GFI ('96)Short-Uni SD11. ('86)JEM U12
www.steelguitardownunder.com |
|
|
|
Rich Peterson
From:
Moorhead, MN
|
Posted 12 Sep 2013 2:04 pm
|
|
| Thank you Jim. |
|
|
|
