Win7 Starter-Netbook question

[pjp]

I have a quality USB microphone I'd like to make somewhat portable for use.
Been thinking a netbook with reasonable size hard disk would be perfect.
Problem is the uncertainty of the software such a device can run and the
quality of the sound chip in such devices. I know the speakers are likely
crap but that doesn't mean the sound card can't record ok.

Am I likely to have problems with older versions of SoundForge, CoolEdit Pro
and the like, e.g. will the software run and be able to record the input
from the USB microphone?

To a lesser extent, I'm also interested in likely problems trying to do
something like running OziExporer or any of the MS/Garmin GPS type products,
e.g. can I still attach and use my handheld GPS to feed real-time data to
netbook, will things like my GPS transponder still work ok to give me a live
moving map in a vehicle?

thanks in advance

 

[Andy Burns]

I have a quality USB microphone I'd like to make somewhat portable for use.
Been thinking a netbook with reasonable size hard disk would be perfect.
Problem is the uncertainty of the software such a device can run and the
quality of the sound chip in such devices. I know the speakers are likely
crap but that doesn't mean the sound card can't record ok.

If it's a USB microphone the quality of the sound card in the laptop
doesn't afect the quality of the recordings in any way, the A->D
conversions have already been done before the signal hits the USB lead.

Am I likely to have problems with older versions of SoundForge, CoolEdit Pro
and the like, e.g. will the software run and be able to record the input
from the USB microphone?

Should do.

 

[Nil]

Am I likely to have problems with older versions of SoundForge,
CoolEdit Pro and the like, e.g. will the software run and be able
to record the input from the USB microphone?

I've read that Edit Pro won't run properly in Windows 7, but I don't
recall the details. I know that Adobe Audition 1.5 will run, although
it turns off Aero while it's running.

You might want to check out the free Audacity audio editor. It's quite
full-featured and runs well in Windows 7. If you want to do multi-track
work, look at Reaper. Shareware - not free but very reasonably priced -
and works well in Windows 7.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I've read that Edit Pro won't run properly in Windows 7, but I don't
recall the details. I know that Adobe Audition 1.5 will run, although
it turns off Aero while it's running.

You might want to check out the free Audacity audio editor. It's quite
full-featured and runs well in Windows 7. If you want to do multi-track
work, look at Reaper. Shareware - not free but very reasonably priced -
and works well in Windows 7.

I'll add my vote for Audacity.

 

[Kalkidas]

I have a quality USB microphone I'd like to make somewhat portable for use.
Been thinking a netbook with reasonable size hard disk would be perfect.
Problem is the uncertainty of the software such a device can run and the
quality of the sound chip in such devices. I know the speakers are likely
crap but that doesn't mean the sound card can't record ok.

Am I likely to have problems with older versions of SoundForge, CoolEdit Pro
and the like, e.g. will the software run and be able to record the input
from the USB microphone?

To a lesser extent, I'm also interested in likely problems trying to do
something like running OziExporer or any of the MS/Garmin GPS type products,
e.g. can I still attach and use my handheld GPS to feed real-time data to
netbook, will things like my GPS transponder still work ok to give me a live
moving map in a vehicle?

thanks in advance

My experience with netbook sound cards is that they are pretty much
crap. If you want to do real multitrack recording, you'll need an
external USB interface with its own sound card.

Also, the 1 GB of memory in most netbooks is barely adequate, so upgrade
to 2 or 4 if possible. And turn off ALL services except Windows Audio
and Plug and Play.

I run Sonar on my 1 GB Acer netbook with an inexpensive Behringer USB
interface. This works OK as long as I turn off all non-essential services.

 

[Leon Manfredi]

I'll add my vote for Audacity.

Semware Editor TSE Pro44..... Of course, none will will consider it because,
it needs configuring to suit one's needs....

 

[Nil]

Semware Editor TSE Pro44..... Of course, none will will consider
it because, it needs configuring to suit one's needs....

It would need a hell of a lot of configuring to be able to edit audio.
Like, say, a complete re-write.

 

[LouB]

I have a quality USB microphone I'd like to make somewhat portable for use.
Been thinking a netbook with reasonable size hard disk would be perfect.
Problem is the uncertainty of the software such a device can run and the
quality of the sound chip in such devices. I know the speakers are likely
crap but that doesn't mean the sound card can't record ok.

Am I likely to have problems with older versions of SoundForge, CoolEdit Pro
and the like, e.g. will the software run and be able to record the input
from the USB microphone?

To a lesser extent, I'm also interested in likely problems trying to do
something like running OziExporer or any of the MS/Garmin GPS type products,
e.g. can I still attach and use my handheld GPS to feed real-time data to
netbook, will things like my GPS transponder still work ok to give me a live
moving map in a vehicle?

thanks in advance

Buy one at Costco who give you 90 days to return it. Try it.

http://shop.costco.com/en/Customer-Service/Concierge/Electronics-Return-Policy.aspx

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

As another has said, presumably a "USB microphone" produces digits, thus
bypassing the sound input on the notebook/netbook.

IME, though not relevant to this enquiry for the reason above,
netbooks/notebooks rarely have a line in socket, only a microphone one,
which is usually mono (though may appear stereo to most software, such
as GoldWave, you run on it).
If they'll run at all under W7, then the fact that it's a netbook or
similar shouldn't make them run any less well.
[]

My experience with netbook sound cards is that they are pretty much
crap. If you want to do real multitrack recording, you'll need an
external USB interface with its own sound card.

See above re "USB microphone".
[]