Laptop Spec

[CanoeWorkshop]

Hey, I am just about to leap in and buy a 2bOX 5 MII. I eventually want to run one of the VST packages, probably Superior Drummer 2.0.

I am fairly new to this stuff so I need help on the hardware side of things, specifically what spec to buy for a laptop.

The ToonTracks suggest a fairly low spec as a minimum but I suspect it won't be enough. I want to avoid latency etc.

Or, I think I understand that I could take sounds from Superior and load them straight in to the module?

Help a thickie today...

What do you think???
Cheers
Charlie

[edtc]

more than the laptop specs , the choice of the audiocard is crucial for low latencies... if you can , take a RME multiface with express card slot ....

RME have also firewire or usb models , that are far better than most of the others brands USB models , but not as good as PCIexpress when it comes to latencie ....

[Jman]

Hey, I am just about to leap in and buy a 2bOX 5 MII. I eventually want to run one of the VST packages, probably Superior Drummer 2.0.

I am fairly new to this stuff so I need help on the hardware side of things, specifically what spec to buy for a laptop.

The ToonTracks suggest a fairly low spec as a minimum but I suspect it won't be enough. I want to avoid latency etc.

Or, I think I understand that I could take sounds from Superior and load them straight in to the module?

Help a thickie today...

What do you think???
Cheers
Charlie

For loading the sounds into the module you will want to look at a few threads:
http://www.2box-forum.com/index.php/topic,874.0.html The actual process of extracting and loading the samples.
Louis' DSoundtool will be an important part of the sample making process:
http://www.2box-forum.com/index.php/topic,907.0.html
You will want to install an extension slot for your SDHC card to make it easy to access the card:
http://www.2box-forum.com/index.php/topic,991.0.html
And you will want to get a larger card or cards since 4GB really isn't very large when you start putting your own samples in the module .... especially if you plan to keep the onboard sounds that are already in the module and even if you just add free sounds from the 2Box website you'll fill up 4GB before you get all of em in!
http://www.2box-forum.com/index.php/topic,914.msg8861.html#msg8861

There are other threads on those subjects, but that'll get you a start.

[CanoeWorkshop]

Thanks for your quick answers, I took the plunge this afternoon and am buying a 6 drum/3 cymbal kit from eDrumAttic. They were very friendly and helpful and do an amazing free shipping to the South of France.

I am now wetting myself to get hold of it, won't sleep tonight.

No doubt I will be here on a regular basis to learn some more.

Wish me luck and thanks again.
Charlie

[Baby Samus]

Welcome and good luck to you Charlie, the 2Box really is a great e-kit for the price and I doubt you will be unhappy with your purchase.  I am running Superior 2.0 on my PC just to bounce out/make samples, and in that regard the software runs really fast - my PC isn't that powerful so here are the specs as a benchmark.

CPU:  E8400 Core2Duo overclocked to 3.6Ghz
RAM:  4GB DDR2
3 x Samsung 500gb F3 hard drives
Sound card:  Realtek onboard chipset.

If you are going to be triggering samples from Superior live from a PC, you should definitely listen to edtc and invest in a PCIe RMA sound card.  This will give much better signal and latency, along with many more benefits.  Obviously the PCIe card needs to go in a  PC, but I am sure someone will confirm if RME do a USB or plugin card for a laptop.  Something to consider anyway...

[edtc]

HI

RME do have some solutions for laptops ... the best choice for realtime triggering is the MULTIFACE in addition with the CARDBUS card ... there is an old version for PCMCIA slot ,and a new one for EXPRESSCARD...

this setup will give you 8 balanced analog  I/O ,1 adat I/O , 1 midi I/O , SPDIF I/O , plus a separate headphone out  ...





quote from RME website :
"For the Hammerfall DSP I/O-boxes Digiface, Multiface and RPM, RME have developed a world-exclusive PCMCIA type II card in Zero wait state CardBus Busmaster technology. With up to 130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions the same basic performance is provided on a notebook as a PCI card would offer on a desktop computer. Additionally the card offers highest compatibility by being 100% Plug & Play compatible under Windows and Mac OS, and being able to share interrupts. The card itself will only use one interrupt (IRQ) for all functions (audio/MIDI.) "