What computer to get for recording metal ?

[HaydenBrutal]

OK so I'm in a bit of a bind, I am starting my own studio to record metal music , i will also be using ALOT of virtual instruments(VST's) and replacing sounds for recording drums,...  just a bunch of stuff will be running ALOT of tracks and Virtual instruments in cubase 6.

But i need to know if dual core will be just fine for me? or even how much RAM do i need ?.. please help me out i am aiming for a perfect computer that can handle allot of processing and not freeze nor have letency when mixing and mastering  . Also should i get a PC or MAC?.

And keep in mind if a PC will do the job ill go for that one!

[RawDepth]

Well the debate over Mac or PC will probably go on forever. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Some say it is like comparing apples and oranges. Which is better? There are so many variables that there is no simple answer.

Many complain about PC's not being very stable, being buggy, and prone to crashing. I have been building high-end PC's for years and here is the real scoop as I see it...

If you buy low-budget low-quality components, it will lead to that frustrating instability. If you build a PC for recording, DO NOT use the cheapest parts you can find just to save a buck. Especially when it comes to cooling and power supplies. Besides crappy software, those two things are usually the leading causes of crashing and hiccups in home PC's. Spend $100 to $200 and get a good stable power supply. (SeaSonic brand is winning awards for top quality products.) Also, it is worth going to great extents to keep the machine as cool as possible. Processor chips generate lots of heat just like high wattage light bulbs do. Use a good large cooler and find a way to ventilate the case well or it will likely crash when under heavier workloads.

Next, don't let anyone use the machine for Internet surfing or game playing. My recording rig never gets on the Internet and never gets used for anything else. As a result, all programs run flawlessly every time.

It is hard to say if dual core will keep up. It depends on how much work it ends up doing. Some plugins make the computer work harder than others do. Some tracks do too. No one can say that it will start to bogg down "right here" because every recording session is different as far as workload. Furthermore, there are things you can do within a session to reduce workload, such as freezing effects tracks, applying effects to subgroups, or doing partial mixdowns to reduce track count.

My recording rig is not the fastest powerhouse computer in the world. It is only an average mid-range quad core with 4 GB of memory. So far it has kept up with everything I have thrown at it without skipping a beat. I have recorded and played back 20 "hour long" tracks with many plugins, busses, and EQ's happening simultaneously. No prob. But I don't know yet, where its limit is exactly.

Hope this helps some.

[stainless]

I'll jump in as Devil's advocate

I have spent just over half of my digital recording life on a PC (originally) and the rest (5 years) on a Mac.  I'm now on my 2nd Mac (PowerMac 8 core)

I, like RawD, built my own PC's and generally it worked quite well. Most problems were related to either:

a). upgrades (recording software and operating system/patches)

b). plug-ins (with the 'freebies causing the most issues)

both of the above had to be downloaded. As a rule I did not leave my recording computer connected to the net.  I was on ProTools and their upgrades were notoriously 'buggy" and I soon learned to wait some few months before updating.  In general "updates" were a bigger headache

When faced with a system requirement change in order to continue with the 'latest and greatest' version on Protools (or some of the commercial plug-ins) I looked at building a  new PC... or buying a Mac. Mac's are pricey, no two ways about it. Friends who recorded on Macs never had complaints about issues, seldom if ever had to reload software and crashes were usually operator induced and relatively easily repaired.

and I'm now mainly using Digital Performer and sometimes Reaper, and very once-in-a-while Pro-Tools. Macs do have updates, but as of yet, I've had no issues with any

Regardless of which system you decide upon, you'll need to consider latency. This is both determined by your DAW as well as your interface, and  of course computer processing capabilities.  I am (of late) utilizing more and more virtual instruments ( orchestral, horns, synth, some keyboards ). As I play with a drummer I've not used virtual drums, but I've managed to run sessions with 16 - 20 instrument tracks, 10 auxiliary and 12 - 16 virtual at low buffer without issues.

I should declare The Mac has 10 GB of memory, 4.5 TB of storage, and I have a UAD-Solo accelerator card. I run my DAW software through an RME FF800 clocked to a Lucid 8824 and utilize all 28 I/O.

My best advice is to really identify your recording needs and then proceed to obtain the best hardware you can afford, even if obtaining this piece or that means you have to wait and save a bit.

Ultimately, while the equipment can impact noise and artifacts in your recordings, it is mainly your efforts and attention to details (aka "listening") that determines the quality of your finished pieces

While much of the recording software  and hardware is marketing hyperbole, hype and innuendo, there is a difference between entry level/bargain gear and the more high end

let us know what you decide