Configure Computer For Music Recording

Below is a check list of PC components that have passed the compatability test with Digidesign's Pro Tools recording program. Since Digidesign's specifications tend to be more demanding than other manufacturers of recording programs these will most likely handle all the others as well.

Windows - Is my PC compatable for recording music?
Digidesign and other recording software manufacturers can't guarantee that their software will work with your computer because PC's come in so many different configurations.Therefore, you'll have to check the components on your PC yourself... here's what to check for:

  • Operating System - All newer recording programs run on either Vista or Windows XP, home or professional. Check that you have Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2. Must have a minimum of Service Pack 1 and on later versions of Pro Tools Service Pack 2 is required.
  • Processor - Check the "computer" tab in your System Properties to see which kind of processor your computer has. It will be something like Intel, AMD, Celeron etc. While you're there check the speed in GHz or MHz. Also listed there is the amount of RAM you have. Jot all this down.
  • Chipset - Go to Device Manager and open System devices. Now look for the driver number for the chipset for the System and Graphics Controller, or Processor to AGP Controller. These numbers will look something like this: Intel 82810eDC-133, which means you have an Intel 810e chipset

Mbox and Mbox 2 are not compatible with these chipsets:

Intel 915G
Intel 915P
Intel 925X

Your Monitor and Graphics

Minimum screen resolution should be 1024 x 768 with at least a 17" monitor.
Also needed is a dedicated Graphics Card or Controler. AGP or PCIe based graphics controller are supported. PCI oe PCIx based ones are not.

 

Macintosh Compatable Computers

Mac - Apple computers aren't the build-it-yourself type like PC's so it's more straight forward to figure out. Any recent MacBook Pro with the Intel Core 2 Duo is gonna be great to run any recording program, software and hardware. These machines are super fast with duo processors, up to 4GB's of RAM, 400 and 800 FireWire.

If your mac is a few years old it should be at least a G4 Powermac or Powerbook with an 800GHz or higher processor. Put as much RAM as you can in it and get a 2nd FireWire hard drive to record onto as this makes things go a lot smoother. The operating system must be at least OS X.