|
 Kyma Forum
 Tips & Techniques
 Best Laptop for Kyma/Pacarana/StudioKonnekt
|
| next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Best Laptop for Kyma/Pacarana/StudioKonnekt |
|
martin1981 Member |
posted 07 February 2009 04:29
 
Just wondering if anybody has recommendations for the best laptop to use with the Pacarana and Studio Konnekt 48 combo? I think I would prefer to use a Windows machine if possible. Carla recommended a Macbook White, but also mentioned there were reports that an HP TouchSmart was also working very well with Windows Vista home version (set to 32 bit mode). However both of these machines are quite expensive, so I'm just wondering is it really necessary to get such a high end machine, when all the audio processing is being done on the Pacarana itself? Sorry if this is a basic question, but I'm completely new to Kyma and haven't received my Pacarana yet. If I try and go for a laptop which hasn't been tested yet, is there any way I can judge from the specs of the machine whether it will be suitable for use with the Pacarana/StudioKonnekt? I guess firewire stability is the main issue(?), but how do you find this out before buying the machine? IP: Logged |
|
rafe Member |
posted 08 February 2009 16:08
as a suggestion the other thing to consider is drive space, speed and expandibilty. if you can find a machine that allows for an expansion slot so you can bus data to an external drive from that slot - esata or fwire it will really increase your performance by not having to store everything on the internal drive or take up bandwidth from the fwire pacarana/ i/o bus. happy hunting IP: Logged |
|
robertjarvis Member |
posted 08 February 2009 19:07
I use an Acer Travelmate 370. It is very stable and was quite cheap when I bought it secondhand four years ago (so how cheap would it be now???). It still is one of my favourite computers.... My advice is to try to get at least a six-pin firewire connection as the physical connection is more solid. On the other hand you might like to have a look also to see if there are any Firewire 800 (9-pin) compatible PCs as the Pacarana is also 9-pin. IP: Logged |
|
martin1981 Member |
posted 09 February 2009 13:31
Hi there, Thanks for the tips, it definitely seems the Acer's are very high spec at very reasonable price, I'm seriously considering one of those now. Just to confirm, are you using it with a Pacarana, or with the Capybara? I guess it would be the same anyway, as the software is the same? Also some Acer laptops have Athalon processors rather than intel, and are a bit cheaper... Is it best to go with Intel, or wouldn't it matter for use with Kyma? Thanks again. IP: Logged |
|
mk23 Member |
posted 09 February 2009 13:59
Hi, Personally I find working with Kyma under MAC OSX to be much more elegant than Windows. So much so that after 5 years of running on XP I converted back to MAC OS X purely for my Kyma use. Before you think I'm a Mac freak (!) some examples of why I prefer using Kyma under Mac OS: Core Audio lets you route virtual audio channels from your DAW software into Kyma (I assume this is also the case with Pacarana) Wiimotes can be used with OSCulator (can't get enough of this!!!) Double click on a .kym file opens in Kyma Drag and drop works (i.e. drop files directly into sounds) VCS screen redraws work correctly... Personally I'm running a low spec Macbook (i.e. not a Pro) and have my DAW running with virtual instruments etc fine. Just my 2 Euro cents! Dave IP: Logged |
|
martin1981 Member |
posted 09 February 2009 14:04
Ok thanks for that, I've never used Osculator before but was planning to use it with Kyma + an iPod touch or a Wiimote. So that wouldn't work at all on a Windows machine? IP: Logged |
|
mk23 Member |
posted 09 February 2009 15:31
Hi, No as far as I know the only way to send OSC to Kyma is to run on the Mac. However, I'm a Capybara user currently so I haven't looked into the Paca in so much detail. Maybe SSC or some other Paca users can confirm this? Oh and one slight correction to my previous post. The drag and drop I mentioned is only for Kyma stuff (sounds etc) and in fact it works fine on both XP and Mac. I had a feeling on the Mac I was dragging samples directly into sounds but in fact this is not the case. Apologies for any confusion! Dave ps SSC, now I'm thinking about it, could we please have drag and drop of files onto the disk icon in sounds IP: Logged |
|
tuscland Member |
posted 09 February 2009 17:14
Hey guys, The current version of OSCulator (2.7.1c) is already compatible with the Paca(rana) and the Capybara. And yes, it only works on Mac OS X, sorry … Best, IP: Logged |
|
martin1981 Member |
posted 10 February 2009 06:57
Thanks for all the info, Dave can you just confirm the specs of the mac you're using with your Capybara? Just thinking I probably don't need to spend too much on a new laptop, if a fairly old machine does the job fine... Most of the audio processing is done on Pacarana right, so the only advantage of having a top of the range machine would be the graphics re-draw slightly quicker? In other words in terms of functionality I'd be able to do everything with the Pacarana on an older machine than with a brand new Macbook Pro? IP: Logged |
|
mk23 Member |
posted 10 February 2009 10:19
Hi, Sure no problem, as long as you don't laugh  G4 1.2 Ghz Seems fine to me. I would go for a bit more RAM if you can, when I run Max at the same time things slow down a bit... O|h and I just re-read your original post where you are asking about how to judge FW performance. From experience audio interfaces work best with Texas Instruments FW chipsets (although I've never had any FW problems with Capybara my Presonus and MOTU boxes are both much happier on this chipset). HTH Dave [This message has been edited by mk23 (edited 10 February 2009).] IP: Logged |
|
martin1981 Member |
posted 11 February 2009 16:48
Not at all, I think there would be more reason to laugh at somebody who'd bought a computer costing twice as much, and basically achieving the same thing?! Anyway I think I have enough info to make a decision. Should be receiving Pacarana next week. First off I'll be using it just in the studio, so I'll try it out on my old Mac G5 tower, see how smoothly the software functions and try to judge from that what sort of spec laptop would be necessary. I'll probably go with a refurbished Macbook or something like that, anyway I don't need to use the Pacarana live until mid-April, so have a bit of time to decide. Thanks again for all the info! IP: Logged |
All times are CT (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Symbolic Sound Home
This forum is provided solely for the support and edification of the customers of Symbolic Sound Corporation.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c