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Attention DELL users!!.... I have a question : )
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trancedelux
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
69
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 23:00
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Hello!
I want to buy a notebook, and after a research I decided to buy a Dell notebook; maybe an Inspiron 6400 or a Latitude. The issue is that Dell notebooks have problems with most extenal soundcards, apparently, due to the poor quality of the chip (Ricoh brand) of its firewire port.
So I need to know which soundcard is proven to work fine with Dell notebooks. I've read that RME works very good, but it's too pricy for me. I have like US$350 to spend. Does anyone know which soundcard works fine? and does anyone know if the midi controller M-Audio Ozone, which has an integrated sound card, would work with Dell notebooks??
Should I consider PCMIA and not firewire?? Please help me, I can't wait to get my notebook, and i haven't bought it yet because of this problem.
Any help is welcome, thanks in advance.. |
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Get-a-fix
Getafix
Started Topics :
147
Posts :
1441
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 23:18
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Hmmm dunno maybe i'm one of the lucky one's & i've never had any problems using firewire soundcards with any of my dell laptops..
Right now i'm using a Fireface 400 with a Dell Inspiron 6400, which as you've mentioned is out of your budget..
Previously i was running a Presonus Firebox without any problems either & even before that a M-Audio Firewire audiophile..
For your budget i guess the Presonus Firebox would be perfect..
 http://www.soundcloud.com/getafixmusic |
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trancedelux
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
69
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 23:37
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Hi Get-a-fix, thanks, I'll check that.
One more thing.. at www.synbiosis.cl you can check the gear I can buy here in Chile, soundcards and controllers with integrated soundcards (i'd preffer this last option, considering my budget).
Thanks!!
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Get-a-fix
Getafix
Started Topics :
147
Posts :
1441
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 01:05
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 03:36
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I have an old Inspiron with the TI controller, but since the 4 pin connection is so unreliable I just got a cardbus card to get a 6 pin connection.
The card has a TI chip and cost €14 with shipping of ebay, so for next to nothing you avoid the issues with the bad internal chipset and get a more realiable connection.
Firewire is fine for a few channels of audio and even if PCMCIA is a more capable bus I would mainly focus on finding a card that does what you want within your budget.
For example:
How many I/O do you need?
Do you need a preamp for a mic?
Would you like an integrated soundcard and controller to keep things simple when setting up at a party?
I just got myself an Ozonic since I was fed up with my extremely complicated setup and wanted an all-in-one unit, and that is the only one with 4 outs so it can be used for DJ'ing.
So far I'm happy with it.
Good set of controls and decent 8ms latency even on my vintage Inspiron 8000.
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« .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... »
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http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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bilbobagginz
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
399
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 14:13
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I don't understand what's the point of spending money that will suffice to buy you a MacBook or even MacBook Pro, which works with audio perfectly, on a DELL 
waste of money, man.
And yes, you can install windows on a mb/mbp
Cheerz.
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
981
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 15:14
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In my job (fixing computers) I'm sorry to say that I encounter more broken Dells than any other machine. Can't say why, they seem to have the same components as a lot of other manufacturers, I just fix more than any other machine. |
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 16:18
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I have my second dell now..
its an ispiron 6000.. works great with a native instruments kontrol (usb) but i know from someone with a recent dell who almost didn't get kontrol running without crackles.. only disabling all other devics even cdrom helped.
having many dells to repair could also be due to them selling most notebooks in specific areas. or many people buying the dells without the 3 years bring in warranty, whereas other manufacturers do not sell their products without that warranty, but dell offers the choice...
It's not easy to tell if a brand is good just from how many have to be repaired.
except if you work in a company which repairs notebooks for the manufacturers themselves, so you also get the warranty cases of all brands, and you know what the percentages of brands for the sold notebooks are...
Besides be careful with PCMCIA because the new dell inspiron do not have PCMCIA but PCMCIA-x or so.
Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 16:49
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I can only say that my Inspiron I bought 1999 and it's been on loads of dusty and moist parties, around half of India in a backpack being squashed in crowds on Khumba Mela and logged around on a bike for many thousand kilometers.
It's have endured more than most laptops I guess and it's a wonder it still works, albeit the keyboard and CDR has pretty much given in by now.
But I for sure have no complaints about the build quality.
They have quite a varied range of machines though, and no doubt their cheaper models might not be as sturdy.
(``·.¸(``·.¸(``·.¸¸.·`´)¸.·`´)¸.·`´)
« .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... »
(¸.·`´(¸.·`´(¸.·`´``·.¸)``·.¸)``·.¸)
http://www.myspace.com/spindriftsounds
http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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Tomos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
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981
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 16:53
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There are many factors I guess. I was just giving my experience, I've never owned one, I just see lots of non-functioning ones.
I don't work in a company, I have my own call-out business and a lot of my customers aren't exactly smart computer users and they completely panic when something goes wrong like its their fault - but mostly it is actually a hardware failure. 2 this week have completely lost their internal soundcards.
I'm not qualified to recommend a laptop as I've only ever had a Sony Vaio, and although it's been fine for me, I wouldn't say I've given it enough rugged treatment to warrant a recommendation. |
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trancedelux
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
69
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 20:36
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Spindrift: i've read the forums online and the express card is not a solution. Maybe you are really lucky and it works for you, but for most (all) people it doesen't solve the problem.
How many inputs and outputs do I need? I really don't know. I'm a dj, and I don't understand much about DAW configurations... i just want to start producing music with a notebook, a midi controller and headphones or monitors (depending on the budget). I don't think I'll use a microphone (not soon at least), and if I want a controller with an integrated soundcard is just because of my budget.
bilbobagginz: The Dell I want would cost me US$1600, and I'm willing to pay up to US$1800. As far as I know, macbook or macbook pro are way more expensive than that, aren't they? On the other hand, Dell gives a 3 year complete warranty (including liquid spills and falls), and I have the idea that having a Mac is having limitations in hardware and software. This is why I choose Dell, or PC.
Tomos and subconsciousmind, thanks for your inputs..
Now, I was thinking one thing.. these controllers with integrated soundcards are connected to the notebook via USB, right? So, if the problem with Dell is with the firewire port, there shouldn't be any problem if I connect the controller/soundcard to the usb port, right? And what about the stability of USB? will I be loosing too much performance if I go for this option?
Other way to ask the question: So, I have US$2000-2500 to build my first studio.. what would you buy, considering only notebook, controller and soundcard? hehe..
I really appreciate your help and comments, keep writing them.. thanks!
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subconsciousmind
SCM
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1033
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 21:11
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2000-2500 dollars.
You pay more for the same hardware performance at the same point of time on mac than on pc thats an undiscussable truth.. so mac is certainly not a budget solution. especially in view of all that comes with sound software that is available for free on pc but not on mac.
Personally I would invest the money in a homecomputer not in a laptop, since the price per performance is much higher with a laptop. the spare money I would invest in a pair of good speakers.
Bottom line is. a really fast computer, a soundcard with good da converters (1 stereo output), a keyboard and a pair of good speakers is all you need to create state of the art music.
I don't know if stability of Firewire interfaces really is better.. i think well programmed drivers add more to the cake.
Most of my music for you to download at:
http://www.subconsciousmind.ch |
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Seppa
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
485
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 22:53
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Quote:
| In my job (fixing computers) I'm sorry to say that I encounter more broken Dells than any other machine. Can't say why, they seem to have the same components as a lot of other manufacturers, I just fix more than any other machine. |
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Dell is the biggest PC manufacturer in the world, they sell everywhere.
They sell more than any other competitors by a lot therefore you have more repairs..... simple isn't it !!
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 22:55
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Quote:
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On 2007-06-04 20:36, trancedelux wrote:
Spindrift: i've read the forums online and the express card is not a solution. Maybe you are really lucky and it works for you, but for most (all) people it doesen't solve the problem. |
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Ok...like I said my laptop has a TI chip anyway...and I read many reports of people having issues with the 4 pin connection using a PCMCIA card to solve that issue.
I don't know why it would not work for the newer Inspirons since it should't matter what internal chipset should have nothing to do with it's operation.
Doing a search on the subject it does seem like some people have resolved their FW problems on new Inspirons with a PCMCIA card, and some not so the issue is not only with the FW controller I guess.
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How many inputs and outputs do I need? I really don't know. I'm a dj, and I don't understand much about DAW configurations. |
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If you like to DJ from the laptop you'll need 4 outputs to be able to have stereo cue and a main out.
For production 2 is enough unless you have hardware you like to route signals thru.
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| I don't think I'll use a microphone (not soon at least), and if I want a controller with an integrated soundcard is just because of my budget. |
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You will not save that much by going for an all-in-one unit.
The only keybard with 4 outs and hence good to use for DJ'ing is the ozonic, and that works out about the same as an Echo Indigo DJ PCMCIA card and a PCR-300 controller.
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Now, I was thinking one thing.. these controllers with integrated soundcards are connected to the notebook via USB, right? So, if the problem with Dell is with the firewire port, there shouldn't be any problem if I connect the controller/soundcard to the usb port, right? And what about the stability of USB? will I be loosing too much performance if I go for this option?
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Ozonic is FW, otherwise I think all is USB.
Both USB 2.0, FW and PCMCIA have more than enough bandwidth to handle a few channels of audio.
Some machines can have issues with FW some with USB, and on some machines they both work fine. PCMCIA would be the safest bet and hardly ever seems to cause issues.
But like I said before, don't worry to much about the type of interface.
Just check that people is using the same combination of laptop and interface as you would like based on it's features and you'll be fine.
(``·.¸(``·.¸(``·.¸¸.·`´)¸.·`´)¸.·`´)
« .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... »
(¸.·`´(¸.·`´(¸.·`´``·.¸)``·.¸)``·.¸)
http://www.myspace.com/spindriftsounds
http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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trancedelux
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
69
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 23:51
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Spindrift: I am a dj, and I already have 2 pioneer cdj100 and a mixer; I dont' want to dj with a notebook.. The equipment i'm looking for is for music production ONLY.
Thanks for your interest! Now, i'm considering the option of buying a desktop, that way I can forget about the firewire issue, I can save money and spend the extra cash in a good controller and a good soundcard..
I hear your comments.. |
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