MusicRadar

Acer's Aspire One is a leading contender in the current netbook market.

View in gallery

To get the most out of a netbook, you need to think back a little. For example, you could pick up a bargain buying software from six years ago, and it should be kinder on the small screen.

And, if you really want to get back to basics, a netbook might present the best opportunity to get into trackers. The latest version of Renoise has upped the resolution requirement past 800x600, but it's still said to work on smaller displays. In fact, Renoise could turn your device into an ad-hoc, all-in-one musical sketchpad.

Another crafty use for a netbook is as a portable instrument; running a full mix's worth of synths and effects might be expecting too much, but you could well get away with running a choice synth - controlled via the smallest MIDI controller you can lay hands on, natch. Or how about as a standalone amp simulator?

Alternatively, a netbook could provide the perfect opportunity to experiment with the world of open source. Linux is well supported on these devices, and there's a wealth of music software that's compatible with older machines.

Whether you manage to squeeze Ardour or LMMS onto the small display, any music you make would undoubtedly sound different from that generated on your desktop monster. In fact, it could provide extra avenues of expression, and that can only be a good thing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liked this? Then try:

How to buy the perfect Mac for music making

10 good reasons to start making music on a computer

15 tips for computer music beginners

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

The free MusicRadar newsletter serves up the week's biggest artist and product news stories alongside exclusive tuition and gear reviews. Sign up here!

Follow MusicRadar on Twitter

Get instant updates and bonus content plus chat with the team. Start here!

Around the web: