Laptop digital recordingOk, why would we want to do laptop digital recording? First, you can't always get your recording talent in the studio. I have a very modest (read small) studio, and can't get a large group in. Then there's always the live recording thing to consider. The people with the big bucks can use lots of fancy equipment for on location recording. But the rest of us have to use normal gear. If you have a laptop, this is laptop digital recording. You don't need much to setup for a location recording - the same core components as a regular studio recording setup. In fact, I take my preamps and audio interface from my studio when I go on location. For laptop digital recording (or any recording. See also Recording Equipment.) you need:
When you go mobile you will want lighter equipment, gear built more ruggedly for the rigors of transport and many setups/teardowns. You also want something that can be set up and tore down fairly quickly. Microphones don't generally vary much in relation to mobile laptop digital recording. Use the same rules you would regularly about what mic to choose and where to place it. Cabling is a smaller issue in location recording, but still pertinent - sometimes you need to run a hundred feet or more. I recommend getting long cables rather than more short ones. I have several 100 foot cables. I wouldn't use 30' runs and connecting several together. That will work, but there are more connectors to worry about, and the chance for signal degradation increases. For the main gear (preamp and interface), an all in one box is definitely a nice hassle-free way to go. Check out MOTU's line of interfaces, specifically the 8-Pre, the UltraLite, or the 828mk3. The 828 has two built in preamps while the others have more, and all go FireWire into the computer. Also look at some smaller interfaces, like the Lexicon Lambda or E-Mu 020 USB. They have a few XLR inputs and go USB to the computer. You can also use an outboard preamp and go analog (or digital) into an interface. This will take more cables and more space (read mess!) on your makeshift console. You don't need a new model laptop to handle 3-4 tracks. If you already have a laptop, you can do a test by hooking up your equipment and recording something. You won't be doing processing on site, so it doesn't matter if it isn't the most responsive (although you don't want it to wait too long after you push record for it to start tracking!). If you have a larger software program that maxes out your laptop (like ProTools or Digital Performer), try using a smaller program like Audacity to record the tracks. You can import them into your main audio editor when you're back in the studio. So. You don't need much equipment to go onsite laptop digital recording. Here's what I take when I go out of the studio:
It seems like a lot (especially in my car's backseat), but it isn't all that much. It helps to get a small 4 or 6 space portable rack, like the Gator GR-4L. I put my interface and preamp in, and stowed the power strip and some cables in the empty space. Mobile laptop digital recording doesn't take all kinds of expensive equipment, just ordinary gear, like the stuff you have. Just pack it up and take it with you. Check out some of the light-weight portable audio interfaces available. They combine preamps with interfacing, eliminating unnecessary clutter and gear. Get a capable laptop, but that doesn't mean it has to be brand new. Try experimenting with software. And have fun! Return from laptop digital recording to home.
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