From ynottnaro@yahoo.com Tue Jan 14 05:51:22 2003
Subject:Re: laptops and B4

It sounds like between the cost of the laptop (let's
start from ground zero and you have none of this
equipment) and the amount of gadgetry and software to
use it, the set-up time involved, that yes, for the
next foreseeable 2 years, a clone is a "better-off"
purchase. And to be honest, after looking at the pic
of the rig mounted in the DJ case (I'm sorry, I cant
remember if its Deke's rig or someone else's) and all
the wires and stuff coming out of it, it's a heck of a
lot easier (lighter AND quicker) for me to use my
Electro, Speakeasy and Leslie rig. And while not
lighter, my Hammond and Leslie is the quickest yet.
I applaud you computer geeks (this is NOT a derogatory
term as my wife is a self-professed geek) for taking
the initiate and making the strides that will
eventually make this a real viable alternative for the
rest of us in about 4-5 years. I can see my rig in
five years. One 76 weighted controller, one 76
semi-weighted controller (slim, like Kurzweil SP
series) my v5 drawbar "controller", my laptop, and my
in-ear monitors. Four pieces of gear, period, one
multi cable umbilical cord from keys to laptop, which
will have interface and soundcard built in, a virtual
mixer program as well as my Steindorfer Bosenway (TM)
Piano software, Tine-ytoons Elec Piano (TM) software,
Modern Modular (TM) analog synth software with
touch-screen editing, as well as any other
sampling/recreation software I'd ever need And that
rig will work EVERY gig or band I work with. While
Deke and the rest boldly go where no man has gone
before, I'll be bringing up the rear quite a bit
behind benefitting from their pioneering. I truly
applaud you guys and am keeping my fingers crossed
that all goes well and better for you guys as it will
definitely benefit the rest of us.

t
--- "retenat "
wrote:
> ....and I can honestly tell you that laptops are
> three times as
> expensive to maintain than comparable desktops. ....
> but do keep in
> mind that most laptops can't be "upgraded" in the
> traditional
> sense.... you might be better off with just buying a
> clone.
> >
>
> I don't fully agree. Most clones can not be upgraded
> at all, or only
> up to its hardware limits (which are always small
> compared to the
> potential in any modern laptop). By using a laptop
> you will be able
> to survive several software releases. Plus, if a
> better software
> package than NI B4 (is this possible?) comes along
> you can switch to
> it at the cost of only the software. With a hardware
> clone, you can
> only cry, or sell and buy.
>
> Finally, it allows you to use other software
> packages for different
> sounds from the same keyboard. Although I realise
> this was not the
> basis for this discussion, I can not believe a
> keyboard player would
> not appreciate this potential.
>
> That said, I must admit I still have not got my
> laptop-setup figured
> out.
> When it comes to this, there are so (too?) many
> options.
> Some laptops don't go well with certain soundcards,
> I have heard.
> Despite many posts here about laptop
> recommendations, I still can't
> find out which laptop would be best for me to buy.
>
> Regarding soundcards, I would like to travel light,
> so the laptop
> powered USB options posted by Deke sound good, yet,
> the MOTU 828 is
> very appealing for multi-track recording and
> quality, yet it is big.
> The M-Audio quattro is a nice in-between, however,
> it needs an
> external power source (choices, choices).
>
> I find it hard to make a decision, as the costs
> involved are high,
> and once a choice is made, there is almost no
> turning back.
>
> I'll keep reading this wonderful forum a bit longer,
> before the big
> leap.
>
> Perry
>

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