Acceptable setup question

[wobbafet]

So I've been running FL studio off of a laptop for a while now. It sounds ASS. Clicks, pops, bullshit.
I keep having the same problem: I make tracks, I can't hear what they sound like after they get fairly complex because my laptop sucks for it, and my home speakers just aren't what is needed for proper production. I also need some decent monitors/subs to hear it clear so I can be confidant about my output.

Can anyone tell me what I need in terms of a PC and some monitors?
Money is no object, just bear in mind my situation. not thinkin top-of-the-line just what's acceptable for a humble bedroom producer who would actually like to distribute and play out some decent-sounding tunes.

Approx. prices would also be very helpful!

[Basic A]

In FL, have you tried going to Options > Audio Settings and adjusting your buffer rate in the asio panel?

You didnt mention using a midi or that you used fl live, so Im assuming having a high buffer wont effect you much, and it will definately help with the pops after your tracks get complex. Also. FL is very friendly to using audio clips... have you tried freezing some of your finalized elements to audio clips to save resources? Finally, if you hit ctrl + alt + delete , and close explorer (I know this sounds bad, but trust me just once) youll free up a huuuuge amount of resources. Theres probably alot of bullshit running in there you could afford to close really, just eating up power.

What are your current hardware stats? I know I ran FL8 on a penium 3 with a gig of ram for my first 6 months of production... it wasnt fun, but it wasnt THAT BAD either, so, something tells me you might have resources going to waste vs. REALLY needing to upgrade that badly.

Processor type : RAM : Soundcard : ASIO or no? : Graphics assembly if you have one thats not onboard : and if you can, tell me how much of your harddrive is dedicated to active swap.

As a bordrline hacker who runs the most ghetto rig there is, I hereby propose we get whatever you have in top notch first, and work from there, deal?

[deadly_habit]

first, defrag using a non ms-defragger, http://www.piriform.com/ ccleaner prolly wouldn't hurt either
2nd install asio4all drivers http://www.asio4all.com/ and try them
if that still causes issues refer to stickies and search function
being nice but this shit has been covered to death

[Basic A]

first, defrag using a non ms-defragger, http://www.piriform.com/ ccleaner prolly wouldn't hurt either
2nd install asio4all drivers http://www.asio4all.com/ and try them
if that still causes issues refer to stickies and search function
being nice but this shit has been covered to death

FL is ASIO by default mang

Unloess op opted not?

[deadly_habit]

last time i touched fl drivers made a diff and dithering settings too
aka years back

[sackley]

Basic and Deadly are on point. Get what you have working top notch first.

From my experience:

Started on a netbook, which made it impossible to get past 3 or 4 instances of VSTi's and 4 tracks of audio.

Got a Lenovo desktop out of their outlet for a steal, been set ever since. Yea, not top notch but it's doing a damn fine job. Still need to get a permanent audio interface and monitors but a good set of headphones are fine.

Mix down on headphones and use your current speakers just for another check, but rely more on the cans.

[deadly_habit]

some of my first dnb releases that sold well were on cheap ass aiwa shelf speakers
you don't need fancy gear, just as been said, know what you have

[djake]

some of my first dnb releases that sold well were on cheap ass aiwa shelf speakers
you don't need fancy gear, just as been said, know what you have

TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DZA]

Pfft youre only a real producer if youre rocking these
http://www.studiospares.com/studio-moni ... urce=215_4

[AJGR]

have a look at Yamaha HS80's.

as for a new computer, i would recommend going mac. only problem with that is you will need new software too. if a mac is to much for you (you said money is no object) you could buy a PC with better specs but don't go on the internet with it.

[moki]

Basic and Deadly are on point. Get what you have working top notch first.

From my experience:

Started on a netbook, which made it impossible to get past 3 or 4 instances of VSTi's and 4 tracks of audio.

Got a Lenovo desktop out of their outlet for a steal, been set ever since. Yea, not top notch but it's doing a damn fine job. Still need to get a permanent audio interface and monitors but a good set of headphones are fine.

Mix down on headphones and use your current speakers just for another check, but rely more on the cans.

I would rather work on monitors, you don't get a proper stereo field in cans. macc posted up a plug in though to help mix down in cans hpfx or somthing like that. It playes a bit of the right speaker low passed on the left and vise versa I think (probably does some other things too)

[3za]

Pfft youre only a real producer if youre rocking these
http://www.studiospares.com/studio-moni ... urce=215_4

you got some tissues for my screen

[larspro]

audio engine a2 or a5's are nice. Good for monitoring and normal listening

[wobbafet]

thanks for the tips errybuddy i`ll try starting from the ground up, so to speak, and maximize the potential of what i currently have.
as for cans vs monitors, yeah i`d rather go with monitors... but a good pair of cans for production would be helpful too; sleep deprivation being my most inspiring muse, i`m often up late and have roomies.
so, monitors?

[paradigm_x]

I rock the Mackies 824s, love em. Totally depends on budget.

Lol at wobbafet tho

[Basic A]

thanks for the tips errybuddy i`ll try starting from the ground up, so to speak, and maximize the potential of what i currently have.
as for cans vs monitors, yeah i`d rather go with monitors... but a good pair of cans for production would be helpful too; sleep deprivation being my most inspiring muse, i`m often up late and have roomies.
so, monitors?

budget?

[futures_untold]

Check http://www.dubstepforum.com/post894644.html#p894644 for some ideas on soundcards, and this one for monitors http://www.dubstepforum.com/you-have-qu ... 32371.html.

I can sell you a set of Alesis M1 Active monitors in perfect condition for £130 with a pair of decent TRS cables thrown in for good measure. You'll need an audio card that has balanced outputs to use them however.

[sackley]

Basic and Deadly are on point. Get what you have working top notch first.

From my experience:

Started on a netbook, which made it impossible to get past 3 or 4 instances of VSTi's and 4 tracks of audio.

Got a Lenovo desktop out of their outlet for a steal, been set ever since. Yea, not top notch but it's doing a damn fine job. Still need to get a permanent audio interface and monitors but a good set of headphones are fine.

Mix down on headphones and use your current speakers just for another check, but rely more on the cans.

I would rather work on monitors, you don't get a proper stereo field in cans. macc posted up a plug in though to help mix down in cans hpfx or somthing like that. It playes a bit of the right speaker low passed on the left and vise versa I think (probably does some other things too)

Yea, I agree. My point though was that if you're starting out that a set of decent headphones are much more affordable and will get the job done vs monitors.

I totally want monitors and would mix on them normally if I did... obviously, haha.

I'll check out that plugin if i can find it.

[symmetricalsounds]

I'll check out that plugin if i can find it.

112db redline monitor

[sackley]

I'll check out that plugin if i can find it.

112db redline monitor

Thank you... just realized it's $100... yeeeaaa.... I'll save that for some monitors. hah.