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My 8790 Mobile Recording Rig....

post #1 of 29
5/19/04 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 



After months of research on everything from Chipsets to most major manufacturers hardware specs I have created this beast. For the Laptop I chose the new Sager 8790 for just pure power. It seems to be the most powerful PC notebook out there. Here is the Laptop Config.

1. 3.4Ghz HT 800mhtz FSB
2. 2 Gig's of RAM
3. DVD +/- Burner
4. 256MB ATI 9700 Video Card
5. Gigabit Ethernet/Wireles A/G/B & Bluetooth
6. (2)60 gig 7200 RPM internal Drives
7. Internal Web Cam/7 card reader/Numeric Keypad
8. Siig PCMIA Firewire 800 card
9. Wireless Mouse

For Audio Connections I wanted Reliability and features in a single space rack. For this I chose the Motu 828 Mk2. I have used this card since it came out and can't say enough great things about it. The Motu 828Mk2 is connected to the 12Ch. XLR breakout on the back of the case for easy interfacing on the stage or in the studio.
For storage I wanted Fast access and huge volume. I needed it to be able to house my 500 gig SFX library and all my Software Plugin samples and the Kontakt & Gigastudio libraries. For this I went with (2) Lacie 500Gig Big Disk Extremes. Lacie Drives
These are connected via Firewire 800 to get more dataflow in those big sessions or more streaming "insurance".

To round out the safety factor I also installed the new Furman rackmount UPS so incase you are onstage and the power cable gets kicked out, you get a good 15 min to resolve the problem without the rig going down. Inside the case there is also a USB 2.0 Hub with all the USB Keys attached for various software. This is out of sight so there is less of a chance for them to pop out or get taken when I am not looking...
For quick midi controls we also installed an Oxygen 8 on top for performance and writing. I also plan to add the new M-Audio Keystation 88 to the stand when it becomes available.

The Case.... My biggest concern was Small as possible and light. I designed the case with Tim over at A&S in Hollywood. They did an amazing job of bringing this case design to life. It is only 14 inches deep
so it can easily fit on a standard Apex keyboard stand and is about the size of a 76 key controller. There are (2) 2 space racks in the front and the back. The laptop is suspended so that there is adequate airflow to the CPU. The Laptop and Oxygen 8 are securely placed in cut out foam around the units and the cover has all the secuity foam to keep the units in place when traveling.

Last but not least the software to get the job done. I totally loaded this baby up. Here is the List.

Applications:

Nuendo 2.0
Cakewalk Sonar 3.1
Vegas
Sound Forge
Acid
Project 5
Reason

Plugins/Software synths:

Stormdrum
Kontakt
Kompakt
Intakt
Culture
EVP73
B4
Stylus
DFH Superior
Koncept Funktion
Wired
V-Station
Plugsound Libraries
Various Shareware Synths

Well , just thought I'd share my rig with you guys just in case anyone else was thinking of putting a rig like this together. As far as performance it rocks. Just did a commercial spot running 48 track of SFX and 7 synths with only 50% of the cpu going in Nuendo. Can't wait to get more mileage out of it. I love my Sager........

Rob King
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post #2 of 29
5/19/04 at 5:07pm
dayam htat is very tite. At least he's doing something most of us aren't/can't
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post #3 of 29
5/19/04 at 5:45pm
I have got to show this to my friend. He's really into producing his own music. Maybe he can return his 'Powerbook'.

Great post!
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post #4 of 29
5/19/04 at 5:57pm
RKing, that is a completely amazing setup. I also did a copious amount of research before purchasing the 8790 for a mobile DAW. I am actually just stepping out into this aspect of music and this computer just seemed too amazing to be true when I happened upon it.

Presently am running Sonar 3.1, Reason 2.5, LIVE 3.02, Reaktor, Absynth, FLStudio, ACID, and Mixmeister. My setup is a little less extreme than yours:

3.2 GHz
1 Gig RAM
Only 1 60 GB, 7200 RPM HDD
Echo Indigo DJ (cost and reliability of PCMCIA and Echo, may upgrade to Layla or Motu as $$$ and school allows.)

Just have to say that the computer is stable and very powerful (Reaktor still seems to be a CPU hog though!).

Nice to see somebody appreciating these awesome machines for DAWs.

Awesome setup again!
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post #5 of 29
5/19/04 at 7:01pm
Thread Starter 

no powerbook........

Quote:
Originally Posted by Meird
I have got to show this to my friend. He's really into producing his own music. Maybe he can return his 'Powerbook'.

Great post!
Thanks man... I spent alot of time thinking this rig through and it performs like a champ!

Rob
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post #6 of 29
5/19/04 at 8:06pm
Awesome rig, man. One of the things I'm planning to do with my 8790 is pack it up in my 4Runner with my old Roland PC-200, Reason 2.5 and a cooler, head down to Venice Beach and jam in the parking lot on my tailgate through the truck stereo.

One thing about the 8790 (and I'm assuming the rest of the Sager line)... when you look at the back of the LCD when it's open, the logo is upside down. Takes something away from your stage presence, IMHO. I've been trying to figure out how to rotate it, but the LCD housing flexes at the slightest pressure and I don't want to damage the innards. Can't really see where I could pry it up. Anybody have any ideas?
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post #7 of 29
5/19/04 at 8:25pm
How about asking Sager for another "dial sticker" and then you could paste that one upside down on the silver "runway".
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post #8 of 29
5/19/04 at 9:49pm
Kick@$$ RKing! Great job!
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post #9 of 29
5/19/04 at 9:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Go-Omaha
How about asking Sager for another "dial sticker" and then you could paste that one upside down on the silver "runway".
Logo? who cares.... I do like those alienware logos though...Too bad the computers are nowhere near the Sager stuff..

Rob
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post #10 of 29
5/20/04 at 10:10am
Nice rig RKing.
Mine is similar but less updated.

I got the ol' 8880 and the ol' MOTU 828.
Although I usually drag around my Mackie 1402 VLZ for inputs/outputs.

I dig your rackmount case too.
Can you leave your lappy and that keyboard in the rack when you close it up?
Is the whole thing pretty sturdy on that keyboard stand?

Is that one of those USB powered keyboards?
I'm still using some cheap-ass Roland thats batt-powered.

Ever had any issues with the MOTU?
Any sync probs with MIDI/Audio?
Mine was a bitch when it first came out, but through newer drivers it seems to be stable now.

Peoples eyes must bug out when you walk in and setup your rig.
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post #11 of 29
5/20/04 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 

828 is gr8t.

Yes, I can leave the LAptop in the case and it doesnt move when transporting. It is completly surrounded with shock resistant foam.
The Oxygen 8 is USB Powered and gets power from the 8790.
I have never once had an issue with the Motu 828Mk2. I also have an original 828 on one of the computers in the studio and also have never had an issue.
So far I have had 0 isues with this rig. It is pretty rock solid. I do however reccommend a PCMIA firewre card as opposed to the internal 4 pin.

When I work on locations it is nice being completely self sufficiant. I do alot of Game sound and often work in various places from time to time.

Rob
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post #12 of 29
5/23/04 at 5:32am
Hey RKing...
Have you ever tried daisy chaining the old 828 and the 828 MKII?
Your supposed to be able to run them both simultaneously (+16 tracks)
Also, what kind of XLR breakout box is that?
I've been wiring my own cables but, that looks like a cleaner way to do it.
Thanks
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post #13 of 29
5/23/04 at 7:46pm
Fantastic I'm going to be putting together an 8790 setup for live performance and was wondering the $ tag on that case? So far the only possibilities for what I'm doing are a pelican case (water tight and most will float 160+ lbs... but WHY would I need that?) Or a massive keyboard case. I'll be shoving in the laptop a small eurorack, firewire 410, midi controller, powerstrip, etc. So I can just hand the soundguy 'left' and 'right' outputs... less likely to screw it up that way.
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post #14 of 29
5/23/04 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 

Rack Stuff...

The Patchbay is a standard Hosa PDR-369 http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/PDR-369.html

I replaced the wiring with Mogami cable and the connectors with Neutrik Black/Gold connectors. I found that buying the Hosa case for around $70.00 and connectors for $50 was cheaper than having one custom made for $400.

The Case was not cheap, coming in at around $1,000.00. It is completely hand made and custom designed. Took them about a week to knock it out. (And it probably won't float....lol)

I have never used the old 828 with the new 828Mk2. They are used on different machines and I have never needed to use them simultaneously on one system. I have various soundcards on 5 different machines (PC's) in the studio. They are all different and serve individual purposes in the studio along side the Mac and my protools rig.


Rob
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post #15 of 29
5/31/04 at 3:16am

PCs for Sound

RKing, I ALWAYS see macs involved in Audio. DJs always seem to be using them, studios on tv (you will catch a glimps of a mac), etc... Is the "Sound" business slowly converting over to PCs, or do Macs dominate? Do you think PCs will ever dominate in the high end sound arena? I am by no means a sound person, I am just really curious.

BTW, that is one kick butt laptop.
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post #16 of 29
5/31/04 at 4:02am
2 gigs of RAM is going to come in handy
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post #17 of 29
6/1/04 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 

Mac Domination myth

Well I really don't see any domination. I mean they are both great and I am a believer that anything is viable if it gets the job done that you need it to get done. I have a mac running protools and 5 PC's running various apps. They both have purpose in my studio. Sure, the mac always seems to get the press when it comes to musicians, but I think it has been changing over the last couple years. Personnaly for me I saw a greater value for performance with my Sager 8790 than the latest 17" G4 Titanium . Whatever works best for the individual..........


Rob
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post #18 of 29
6/2/04 at 3:22pm
Macs are nice and pretty but, the main reason musicans like them for audio is cause they were first.

For years the mac WAS the way to do music on a computer.

But now anything you can do on a mac you can do on a PC and vice versa.

Except games, you could probably get good game performance out of a mac but, the prob is most games aren't even released for the mac.

And if they are, it's usually after it's already been out on pc for awhile.

Hey RKing,
I was looking around for something similar to the Hosa patchbay you recomended and found this....
http://www.behringer.com/ADA8000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

You can hook this up to the MOTU via ADAT and get 8 extra inputs, plus they're XLR.
Combined with the 8 analog already on the MOTU you'll get 16 inputs total.

And it's only $200 bucks!

I was considering buying a MOTU MKII to run with the older MOTU for more inputs, but now I think this the best route.
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post #19 of 29
6/2/04 at 5:55pm
If I remember correctly there were a few macs I saw recently with internal A/D conversion. That'd come in handy. (they were notebooks). But since I'll probably be on the road LONG hours I'd rather have something that can play all my games too.
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post #20 of 29
6/2/04 at 8:27pm

Fan noise?

How is the fan noise factor especially when using it at home/studio where it is a quiet environment?
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