RE: laptop live

[Patrick Bolan <pbolan@csiconstruction.com>]

I routinely use my Dell CPX 650 Mhz PIII to do stereo recordings - right
through the line-in port.  I use condensor mics through a little
behringer mixer for phantom power, then send the signal to the laptop
via the RCA tape ports on the mixer.  The RCA cables use an adaptor to a
1/8" stereo mini plug - and ta da!  Decent sound.

For just routine mono recordings, I use a AKG condensor w/ an in-line
battery designed for video use.  About $30 at Full Compass.  This plugs
directly into the mic port.  

With a good piece of DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software, you can
use this for live sound, or studio hookups - one (stereo) track at a
time.  There are a few adjustments to be made in Windows to make it work
in the Sound Properties (level and source selection).

Oh, and always do your recording while the laptop is running on the
battery.  On my Dell, the AC Adaptor makes the audio recording distort
something terrible.

Patrick sends...

-----Original Message-----
From: jimfowler [mailto:jimfowler@prodigy.net] 
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 3:39 AM
To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
Subject: Re: laptop live


i've been toying with the idea of getting a mac laptop for live
use...mainly for beats and what-not...of course, the newest G4 books are
way out of my price range.  what is the minimum amount of power
(ballpark figure) i would need for this?

what will end up happening is that i will eventually use the thing for
recording and sound production.  i've seen the 667mhz G4's on ebay for
around a grand.

sorry for the wide-open question, but i've been a pc user for years and
have never bothered with any sound production on my dell.  any generic
or specific suggestions are sincerely appreciated.

-jim