Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (Full Version)

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SingASong4Him -> Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 10:26:13 AM)

I need some advice please. I know there are several groups/artist that post and read these forums, please help? I am looking at going to a laptop to use in live performance to play our tracks. Not great with these computers but can survive (lol)... What do you recommend? What kind of investment is needed? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you!



Brandon_and_Lisa -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 11:09:46 AM)

I've asked this same question before.

From what I gather, you need a dedicated notebook computer running Windows XP, with a pretty good sized hard drive. And as with all computers, the more RAM the better. I've also been told that the notebook should be used for NOTHING other than playing your tracks.

You will also need a way to connect the computer to your sound system. A remote control is optional, but highly recommended.

Software wise, you'll probably want the Emcee Pro program from Testify Software.



Qtman -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 11:15:23 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brandon_and_Lisa

I've asked this same question before.

From what I gather, you need a dedicated notebook computer running Windows XP, with a pretty good sized hard drive. And as with all computers, the more RAM the better. I've also been told that the notebook should be used for NOTHING other than playing your tracks.

You will also need a way to connect the computer to your sound system. A remote control is optional, but highly recommended.

Software wise, you'll probably want the Emcee Pro program from Testify Software.


Emcee Pro is an excellent program. We used it with a lap top to play our tracks. I also bought a remote handheld mouse for about $50.00 fo convenience. The laptop however was not dedicated to only playing our music. I guess that depends on the storage capacity and RAM.



querty -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 12:16:19 PM)

We run a 750hz machine with 256MB RAM and W2K. Plenty sufficient. Go buy a nice used machine for $200 and call it good. Use it for nothing but your tracks. Emcee Pro, the best!



youngartist -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 12:21:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: querty

We run a 750hz machine with 256MB RAM and W2K. Plenty sufficient. Go buy a nice used machine for $200 and call it good. Use it for nothing but your tracks. Emcee Pro, the best!


Used computers can work, but soundtracks are something that have to work. It's never worth risking a junk computer crashing on you right in the middle of a program.


Go to Black Friday in November (the day after Thanksgiving) and stand in line in the cold and get a brand-new one for $300-400

(not like I've done that....or have I? [:D]) [X(]



DChuvalas -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 12:34:40 PM)

Go to Best Buys auction site and get one for a fantastic price.



rogasinger4Him -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 1:24:09 PM)

I use Emcee Pro on my Toshiba laptop and I love it. This is also my general use computer so the program doesn't use up much memory. If I remember Ted correctly even if you have 2600 songs in mp3 format you'll only need about 30 gigs of your hard drive for the program.



AdamEdwards -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 1:34:29 PM)

It doesn't take a powerhouse laptop to run Emcee pro. You can find several laptops on ebay for ~$200 that would more than suffice.



L5MAN -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 2:57:45 PM)

For great deals on laptops, try tigerdirect.com or ecost.com (new or refurbished).
BestBuy and Circuit City are WAY over priced IMHO as a computer tech.



SingASong4Him -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 3:30:00 PM)

THANKS so much for your info... How about also connecting to sound system? I just ordered Emcee Pro!



Qtman -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 3:42:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SingASong4Him

THANKS so much for your info... How about also connecting to sound system? I just ordered Emcee Pro!


The easiest way to connect to the sound system is with a 1/8 inch plug and use the headphone jack on the computer. I did this but I bought a cable to split the one wire and have two plugs to plug into two channels on the mixer. Worked fine.



SingASong4Him -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 4:14:57 PM)

quote:

The easiest way to connect to the sound system is with a 1/8 inch plug and use the headphone jack on the computer. I did this but I bought a cable to split the one wire and have two plugs to plug into two channels on the mixer. Worked fine.


Thanks Qtman, you have been a tremendous help!



Qtman -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 4:19:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SingASong4Him

quote:

The easiest way to connect to the sound system is with a 1/8 inch plug and use the headphone jack on the computer. I did this but I bought a cable to split the one wire and have two plugs to plug into two channels on the mixer. Worked fine.


Thanks Qtman, you have been a tremendous help!


BTW you can get those cables most anywhere. Wal-mart, Radio SHack etc.



rogasinger4Him -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 4:24:15 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SingASong4Him

THANKS so much for your info... How about also connecting to sound system? I just ordered Emcee Pro!



I have a 1/8 to RCA plugs 6' cord and an adapter to to take that to 1/4 plug. Both items together were about $12 bucks at Radio Shack and it gives you two ways to hook up for those times you may be working off of someone else's sound system. I do that oftenas a solo artist.

I also spent just over $30 to buy a direct box that let's you take the 1/4 plug and come off a microphne XLR cable. Comes in handy when you sing at a church that has a great sound system but still let's you have your computer on stage with you and not back in the sound booth.

I also recommend the remote that Sam (Qtmnan) told you about.



MO_Baritone -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 5:02:02 PM)

The QT I sing with also uses Emcee Pro and I highly recommend it. However, here is where I differ a little from some of the other posters. In general, the sound card in a PC is one of the cheapest components in the machine. I know many people use the 1/8 jack that comes from their internal sound card to plug into the sound system - but I believe that is not the "best" option. Will it work....absolutely it will. But if you can afford it, my personal recommendation would be to upgrade to an external sound card. In our experience - when we have on occasion tried to use the built in sound card - we tend to get digital artifact sound - I don't know how to explain what I mean by that - other than...put your cell phone next to your computer speakers and occasionally you will hear some digital static through the speakers...that's similar to what I'm talking about. When we use the external sound card via firewire - this never happens.

We purchased an external sound card (that would typically be used for multi-track digital recording) and we go from firewire to that sound card and then out to the sound system. In my opinion this provides a far superior sound quality to the tracks. To my ear - it is a noticable difference in quality. Now this can set you back another $200+ depending on which sound care you buy.....but keep in mind that even the least expensive external audio card is probably far superior to what is built into your laptop PC. We use a MOTU unit, but there are several perfectly fine options out there.

One other thing I feel compelled to say - and it's probalby something you already know - always take a backup option. Unless you have 2 PC's you can carry with you then you need a secondary option to play your tracks.
We usually travel with PC, Minidisc & CD so we have lots of failsafe...but it only takes once and you will be glad you did.



Mike5566 -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 7:02:14 PM)

Amen on the back up. We were at a large church Sunday all day. We were doing 2 songs during the 3 morning services and a full concert at 6pm. We set up Saturday night and practiced with everything working fine. When we showed up Sunday am, we had some problem with windows and nothing would come up. We are fortunate to have a piano and bass player so we did live music for the am services. After the am services I call the Emcee Pro folks and they returned my call promptly. I had the original disc for Emcee Pro and loaded it on another computer and loaded the music for the concert and we had a successful service. Thank the good Lord for Ted Watson with Emcee Pro for calming me down and getting me focussed on other options. We will have a back up and do now. There is a second computer with Emcee Pro loaded, plus a CD, and I will probably make a mini-disc in the near future just for kicks and old time sake. Tracks without Emcee Pro is like mashed taters without gravy. You can do it but it ain't as good. THANKS TED!!!!!



LRBB -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 7:54:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike5566

Tracks without Emcee Pro is like mashed taters without gravy. You can do it but it ain't as good.

That's one of the best lines I've ever seen on here.[sm=Llol.gif]



Qtman -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 8:22:37 PM)

The back up system is a must. I used the PC as a main player but always had a fully loaded IPOD as a back up. Only had to use it once and it worked fine in a tight spot. Just before we disbanded my brother bought a second PC and we were going to travel with his and mine but it became a moot point.



dbmurray -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 8:24:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Qtman
The easiest way to connect to the sound system is with a 1/8 inch plug and use the headphone jack on the computer. I did this but I bought a cable to split the one wire and have two plugs to plug into two channels on the mixer. Worked fine.


I would advise looking into a small external sound card that connects to a USB port for two reasons:
1. Motherboard audio is notoriously bad, and
2. You can get an external sound card with a more robust set of RCA connectors

On Edit: I see MO-Baritone has already mentioned the external card option. I second his opinion!

Another option is the Helix series of mixers made by Phonic, which have Firewire or USB connections. They're very affordable. With one of these, you can add mics and instruments to the tracks from your laptop...mix it on stage and send a single output to the house.

By the way, I would not use a cable made by Radio Shack if it was free. They're cheap for a reason...put a little too much stress on one when you roll it up and the next time, you'll have a short and wonder what went wrong.



querty -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/26/2008 11:19:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: youngartist

Used computers can work, but soundtracks are something that have to work. It's never worth risking a junk computer crashing on you right in the middle of a program.



I hope you [dont] have only a laptop for your tracks and nothing as a backup, trust me, new ones fail as much as old ones. You should have another one just incase or an iPod or CD, etc. If you really want to get technical, newer ones fail more due to larger hard drives they have. Larger drives are not as reliable as smaller ones. Its a mechanical thing.

Go to Dell and get a refurbed one then. Refurbs go through better quality control than new ones.



AdamEdwards -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/27/2008 1:55:52 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: querty

quote:

ORIGINAL: youngartist

Used computers can work, but soundtracks are something that have to work. It's never worth risking a junk computer crashing on you right in the middle of a program.



I hope you [dont] have only a laptop for your tracks and nothing as a backup, trust me, new ones fail as much as old ones. You should have another one just incase or an iPod or CD, etc. If you really want to get technical, newer ones fail more due to larger hard drives they have. Larger drives are not as reliable as smaller ones. Its a mechanical thing.

Go to Dell and get a refurbed one then. Refurbs go through better quality control than new ones.

...unless you look into solid state drives (but that's another monster).



iluvatar -> RE: Using Laptop Computer for performance tracks? (8/27/2008 7:12:11 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dbmurray

quote:

ORIGINAL: Qtman
The easiest way to connect to the sound system is with a 1/8 inch plug and use the headphone jack on the computer. I did this but I bought a cable to split the one wire and have two plugs to plug into two channels on the mixer. Worked fine.


I would advise looking into a small external sound card that connects to a USB port for two reasons:
1. Motherboard audio is notoriously bad, and
2. You can get an external sound card with a more robust set of RCA connectors


I agree and I'll add a third point: 1/8" jacks are fragile and those inside a laptop are difficult to repair.

Though I would disagree with getting something only with RCA outputs. XLR balanced line outputs would be best. 1/4" balanced outputs are ok, too, but they're subject to some of the same problems as 1/8" connectors (i.e. mechanical stresses, falling out) and if you try to plug into a 1/4" jack on somebody else's PA system, you're never quite sure what you're gonna get.

quote:


By the way, I would not use a cable made by Radio Shack if it was free. They're cheap for a reason...put a little too much stress on one when you roll it up and the next time, you'll have a short and wonder what went wrong.


Again, I agree. It's one thing if you're using it for your home stereo where it's just going to sit there. But for playing shows in front of an audience and going on the road, I would never trust a radio shack cable.

-Dan.



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