Topic: eee PC as a Recorder/Bit Bucket

[rsimms3]

For about a month now I have been looking at these, the evolution of the machines from 2gig to 4gig to 20gig internal memory, new processors and such.  I was considering one for open taping.  I just got a UA-5 with BMP2+ mod and was thinking that I could pair it with an eee PC which his rather cheap.  The smallest version has a 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 RAM, but little drive space.  I have a Circuit City gift card that I can't use on much because they rarely have deals.  My thoughts were to buy the older eee PC model and then upgrade the RAM to 2gig and put in a USB thumb drive for more memory to record to.  Is this processor up to the task of recording 24/96 that the UA-5 can output?  The other benefits are a mini laptop that can be used for surfing the net, vacations, and general low intensity laptop stuff, no Quake or anything like that.  Input?  The newer version with the Atom processor is expected to be $650 which is crazy because there was a deal for a dual core, touch screen, tablet PC at Office Depot for like $680 after rebate recently.  Thanks.

[digifish_music]

For about a month now I have been looking at these, the evolution of the machines from 2gig to 4gig to 20gig internal memory, new processors and such.  I was considering one for open taping.  I just got a UA-5 with BMP2+ mod and was thinking that I could pair it with an eee PC which his rather cheap.  The smallest version has a 800 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 RAM, but little drive space.  I have a Circuit City gift card that I can't use on much because they rarely have deals.  My thoughts were to buy the older eee PC model and then upgrade the RAM to 2gig and put in a USB thumb drive for more memory to record to.  Is this processor up to the task of recording 24/96 that the UA-5 can output?  The other benefits are a mini laptop that can be used for surfing the net, vacations, and general low intensity laptop stuff, no Quake or anything like that.  Input?  The newer version with the Atom processor is expected to be $650 which is crazy because there was a deal for a dual core, touch screen, tablet PC at Office Depot for like $680 after rebate recently.  Thanks.

The eee PC's lack of any internal fans (meaning silence) and light weight, would make it a good platform. The eee PC is never going to be great value for money, you buy one for the form-factor.

I wonder how Audacity + recording on the line-in would sound?

digifish 

[dmonkey]

I've wondered the same thing myself, although I really don't need one as a recording device. I've been looking at these for a few months and I like what I see. I'd like to use one for basic things while traveling, and for dumping memory cards of photos until I can get home after a weekend event. Tempting, very tempting.   

[rsimms3]

Yeah, I was thinking more of just a bit bucket.

[chris319]

I would get an eee in a second just to try out, IF there was one with a FireWire port.

Anyone know anything about these USB to FireWire adapters?

[johnw]

I don't think the battery life on these is supposed to be very good. For the money, I'd rather have a FR2LE for strictly recording purposes. But if you will use it for other things, it is a neat machine.

[Ozpeter]

Over on the Reaper (DAW) forum I recall someone saying that they'd tried it with some success running Reaper.  www.reaper.fm and a quick search of the forum should turn it up.

[Eigenklang]

Well I have the eee, and it runs great. In fact, it is totally great for its price. Keep in mind that a small linux OS is running on an solid state disk. In many cases, this little thing reacts much faster than my "better" normal PC running XP. It boots up in less than 40 sec and i was not able to measure the time audacity needs to start. It is between 1 and 2 seconds. And for stressy situations, it is easy to run it in a kind of idiotproof way. The SSD is then read only, and every change is stored in RAM. This is done by a little mod and really useful. You are no longer able to destroy your system 

Using 2 GB of ram is less easy, because you have to change the linux kernel or use windows.

Some cons to be mentioned:
-Altough the "workflow" on the eee is really great, it clearly has its limits with its small processor.
-It has no line-in. Its a mic in with permanently activated plugin power.
-Using the original linux, it may be hard to find a working USB ADC.
-It is NOT fanless. It has a very small fan in it which is not very loud but sounds terrible to my ears.

[rsimms3]

I knew the limitation of using Linux and 2gig of RAM.  I was thinking about getting a scratch and dent from Amazon that has XP already installed.  My main worry is that the 800mhz processor is not enough to do the 24/96 that the Edirol UA-5 would output.  Good information about the Mic-In that is permanently provided power, did not know that one.  Keep the opinions and information coming.

[JoeKiller]

I don't think the battery life on these is supposed to be very good.

ditto on that, if anything wait for the Intel Atom based one.

[jerryfreak]

if you want a cheap laptop to use as a bitbucket, you can easily put together a toshiba 34x0 or 4010 for well under $500 with a vx pocket

I don't think the battery life on these is supposed to be very good.

ditto on that, if anything wait for the Intel Atom based one.

[person]

I've been looking for another cheap and small MP3 player bit bucket like the Iriver IFP 8xx series. I've got an EEE PC but the thing would be at high risk of being stolen i reckon... cool looking white laptop just sitting around the sound desk while I'm off getting my ambients

[Ozpeter]

http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15199&highlight=eeepc is the eeeeepc thread on the Reaper forum.  There's a recent post by someone who seems pleased with it for recording.

[Idle Wind]

I've got an eee - the 4G, and I love it.  for another $50, I got a 4Gb SD card and a 2Gb OCZ SODIMM - though as has been pointed out, you'd have to replace the kernel to recognize 2Gb.  Right now it's only1Gb.

I love the little Linux system - and wouldn't dream of putting XP on it.  It's lean and fast, and does everything I want.  But it is what it is.  People are trying all kinds of hacks trying to make it something it isn't.  (though I'd love a blue tooth hack - oh and firewire, maybe....).

I'd think you could find a better bitbucket with a larger capacity even cheaper.  MTII, IRiver.  I've got an FR2-LE as well, which is awesome.  No digi in though, and is overkill as a bitbucket. 

I'd think getting a USB AD to work on the Linux eee might not be too easy - though everything I've plugged in has worked fine. 

The eee is a really great box for travelling.  2 lbs.  I've been getting 3hrs on the battery.  I wouldn't want to put XP on it though, and don't really see it as a viable bit bucket.

[rsimms3]

Thanks EvilEye, very good information.  In the past I have gotten crazy ideas in my head and then become crazy about them until I make them happen.  I decided to take it slow and look at all the angles instead.  As a portable surf machine, show back up, and document writing sounds like a great little contraption but not in line with a USB bitbucket because of the upgrades needed to get away from Linux and poor battery life.