Laptop Question - do I need an additional soundcard

[Chris TT]

I currently run Live on a desktop PC but want to get a laptop as well. Would Live run happily on a laptops internal soundcard (i.e. on the soundcard in a Dell Inspiron 2Ghz 2Gb laptop)? Or is it necessary to buy a soundcard that plugs into the laptop?

I don't need inputs for recording instruments and will be using samples and VST instruments internally.

Thanks in advance for any advice/answers.

Chris

[ultrasonyk]

Depends on what sound quality you expect from your productions.

but in any case - your laptop sound device probably sucks big time (like mine)

cheers.

[XL Foley]

Live will run on an internal soundcard/chip. The problem is rather that a) you won't have any midi inputs, so you'd need a usb midi interface like the midisport and b) your internal soundcard will have a large latency (might not even be adjustable).

So for direct playing your VST instruments with a keyboard I'd encourage an external audio/midi interface, if you are content with composing with the mouse using score view or piano roll and moving samples around, then hitting play to listen to what you just did, you don't really need an extra interface.

so long
XL Foley

[Chris TT]

Thanks for the replies.

I've got a USB Axiom keyboard so would be using that some of the time but most of the time I would be programming beats and drawing in notes using the mouse along with using some sampled loops.

I'm looking to have something I can use sitting in the living room, outside, on holiday, etc to allow me to use Live more often (without nagging from the wife about always being on the computer!) - any of the "real" input to Live (external instruments, playing VSTs from a keyboard, etc) would probably be done at mt desktop set up.

[sqook]

Ask yourself the following questions:

- Do you need to sequence hardware synthesizers over MIDI?
- Do you need a cue channel to audition material while performing?
- Do you need to record external instruments?
- Does your soundcard make high-pitched noises, pick up interference from the hard drive or system fans?


If you answered "yes" to just one of these questions, then a small USB sound interface might do the trick. If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, do some more research and buy a card that has slightly more capabilities than you presently need, so you can "grow" into it, and don't need to buy another card a year later when you realize you need more stuff.

If you answered "no" to all four, then forego the gear lust, save your cash, and concentrate on the music.

[pulsoc]

I'm looking to have something I can use sitting in the living room, outside, on holiday, etc to allow me to use Live more often (without nagging from the wife about always being on the computer!) - any of the "real" input to Live (external instruments, playing VSTs from a keyboard, etc) would probably be done at mt desktop set up.

The laptop you described will be more than sufficient for these needs

[Chris TT]

Thanks for your replies - I'll trust the built in soundcard and see how I get on!

[andydes]

Think you'll be nagged less if you use a laptop and start taking your music on holiday with you?

RTFM

[brightonalex]

He's right. And I'm afraid using your computer in the living room still counts as "being on the computer". Sorry.

[Chris TT]

I guess I'll be joining in the "swap a girlfriend/wife for sampler" thread soon then!