How to buy a netbook for music making

Don't make any decisions until you've read this

Computer Music, Thu 26 Mar 2009, 2:34 pm UTC

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

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?

Korg nanokey

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.

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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

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User comments (1)

ronald_stewart

31 weeks ago.

Geez,
Another incomplete garbage article on Audio Netbooks. Misleading readers with poor to bad evaluation of what is true with a Music Based Netbook.
1) If you know what you are doing you can maximize audio performance of a Netbook.
2) Real Time (RT) running Linux will do the trick.
3) Ardour has been optimized for small screens for 2 years called Ardourino.
4) You can DJ with a Netbook and scratch vinyl too!
5) If your apps are optimized for dual core you can get even better performance out of it.
6) Indamixx OS (Transmission) is super tuned and highly optimized for ONLY audio production.
7) Versions of Linux such as Ubuntu Studio and Ubuntu or Ubuntu Mobile Remix are NOT an accurate evaluation of what can be done with a specialized audio version of a Netbook. DIY versions of Ubuntu Studio with RT DOES NOT cut the mustard in anyway. I will personally take the Pepsi Challenge versus those versions, or any other 'cooked' version. I have used them... two words - NO Bueno!!!
8) All of Indamixx apps are optimized for small screens.
9) www.indamixx.com

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