Netbooks and Djing

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nellon
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Netbooks and Djing

Post by nellon » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:45 pm

I have always thought laptops are too big to be portable..
Now there is a new phenomenon called netbooks (the Dell ones look SPOT ON). They are alot smaller then the common laptop (9-12 inch)
but also alot less powerful.

I want to use one for mixing, together with a usb controller..
running Ableton Live. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with netbooks and djing.

I guess the cpu (most common is atom 1.6ghz) is powerful enough to keep Ableton going.

Greetings,
Nellon

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Post by ELLFIVEDEE » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:46 pm

CPU might be alright, but DJing in ableton on a 10" screen might not be too ideal, especially if you've had a few to drink!
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Post by caeraphym » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:57 pm

I wouldn't trust a tiny cpu that can just about run a stripped down XP set up to do anything that may involve severe embarrassment via the medium of dance.

Netbooks are just that: portable net browsing devices, not dualcore, 4gb music making machines. One day maybe, but as has been said above, the bloody screen size would do my swede in.

/prays for macbook pro...
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Post by xxxy » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:28 pm

I doubt there would be enough ram to use ableton. Just use a dual core with at least 2gb ram you can get smaller laptops with these specs

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Post by nellon » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:55 pm

Caeraphym wrote:I wouldn't trust a tiny cpu that can just about run a stripped down XP set up to do anything that may involve severe embarrassment via the medium of dance.
I'm afraid of the but I;m not really sure of it.. Also most of the newer netbooks are easy to mod to 2 gigs of ram.. just the cpu is.. lol

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Post by FSTZ1 » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:25 pm

I wouldn't trust a shitty little netbook with my live performance

they have 1gb processors and 256 / 512 of ram

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Post by casioboy » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:35 pm

Well, i don't own a netbook, but my powerbook is quite old (1.5, 512 ram) and it runs ableton 7 seven without ANY KIND OF PROBLEM. My current setup is based on two channels and two return tracks. I use repitch mode, as i don't like the way complex sounds. Anyway, i've used it for some tunes or whole sets, even with three channel setup without any kind of issues. I only use native effects (eq8 x 4 on each channel, beat repeat, autofilter (yep, i love their sound) and some others.
I think a netbook could do the job.
Powerbook G4, M audio audiophile, alesis m1 active mk2, novation remote zero, Ableton live 7.

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Post by pk- » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:44 pm

FSTZ wrote:I wouldn't trust a shitty little netbook with my live performance

they have 1gb processors and 256 / 512 of ram
they're mainly 1.6ghz Atoms, and you can upgrade most of them to 2 gigs of ram.

the screens are really, really small though. the biggest resolution you're likely to get is 1024x576, so you're going to be scrolling all over the shop

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Post by FSTZ1 » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:44 pm

netbooks aren't built with the architecture to handle processing multiple channels of audio

taken from The Ultimate Netbook Ruyers Review

What can't you do?
In short: lots. Very basic image editing, such as cropping and re-sizing, can be performed in small numbers but batch processing is something of a no-no. Likewise video editing, unless from one of the many "YouTube" camcorders, is out of the question. Ultimately while netbooks are dominated by the single-core Atom processor, such intensive tasks aren't feasible.

This obviously rules out gaming short of the occasional game of solitaire, a flash game or maybe an ancient point and clicker or two - did someone say Grim Fandango? Multi-tasking is also a bad idea, not least given the usual 1,024 x 600 resolution screens that make using multiple applications awkward to say the least. It might be fine for looking at web pages, but roomy it certainly isn't.

This resolution restriction also makes the likes of Excel spreadsheets problematic given most seem designed for desktops the size of a small town. All the above means you have to think carefully about what you want from your netbook.

If you have a desktop or large notebook PC at home and just want something to throw in a bag from time to time a netbook is great, but if it's going to be your only or primary PC you've got to think carefully before buying. Indeed, what follows is focussed on what each netbook does best, rather than which one is the best, so read on for all the information you need to make an informed decision

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Post by nellon » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:50 pm

I see... I guess it's better to get a macbook then. :D

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Post by ELLFIVEDEE » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:52 pm

Nellon wrote:I see... I guess it's better to get a macbook then. :D
Even if they could run Ableton, Cubase, and Reason all at the same time, it'd still be better to get a macbook.
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Post by FSTZ1 » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:02 pm

L5D wrote:
Nellon wrote:I see... I guess it's better to get a macbook then. :D
Even if they could run Ableton, Cubase, and Reason all at the same time, it'd still be better to get a macbook.
TRUTH!

give it a couple years and you'll be able to run ableton / traktor / serato off of your cell phone

:D

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Re: Netbooks and Djing

Post by Sharmaji » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:36 pm

Nellon wrote:I have always thought laptops are too big to be portable..
Nellon
you're kidding, right? ever carried 3 crates of vinyl to a gig?
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Post by eastern electrics » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:38 pm

FSTZ wrote:netbooks aren't built with the architecture to handle processing multiple channels of audio

Right, live processing with Synth-Vst´s, Samplers and so on could be critical.

But just running pre-rendered Wave-Loops and arranging the playing order live via ableton should be no problem.
@ work i often do audio recording and editing with up to 10 tracks on a 500 mhz pc with 256 mb of sd-ram. (samplitude)
i also run samplitude and reason on a msi-wind netbook sometimes.

the bigges problem is the screen resolution as already mentioned.
but that´s just a matter of time - samsung will be the first manufacturer who releases a 12 inch netbook soon, others will follow.

(Samsung NC20)
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nellon
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Re: Netbooks and Djing

Post by nellon » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:43 pm

TeReKeTe wrote:
Nellon wrote:I have always thought laptops are too big to be portable..
Nellon
you're kidding, right? ever carried 3 crates of vinyl to a gig?
Ofcourse its not big or anything.. Just always wanted a computer which I can put in my backpack alongside with a controller and go...
a 15 or 17 inch laptop is to big for that imo (Well a 15 would fit tho).

Also I'm not going to use it to play out.. Just to bedroom jam a bit with a mate. If I'd wanted to take Djing seriously I'd buy a set of turntables and a mixer :P. (Vinyl is still big!).

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Re: Netbooks and Djing

Post by FSTZ1 » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:55 pm

TeReKeTe wrote:
Nellon wrote:I have always thought laptops are too big to be portable..
Nellon
you're kidding, right? ever carried 3 crates of vinyl to a gig?
those were the good 'ol days

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