2003-10-11T03:34:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of different TabletPC's out there, but they are share one thing in common: their built-in audio sucks!
Well, this holds true for most laptop sound chips as well, but I thought it was important to get it out in the open. If you are going to try to use your TabletPC to record sound, you're gonna be disappointed. There are lots of external USB & Firewire recording devices out there, but I won't be reviewing any here in the near future. If you want to use a PC for Audio Recording & mixing, you're NOT going to be using the TabletPC in the way It Was Intended, holding in your hands and sitting in a bean bag chair. I'm not saying that with the right audio hardware you couldn't use the Tablet to record multitrack audio, but this is about using the Tablet to create music in ways that are superior to any other way of creating music on the PC.

So what I'm talking about in using the TabletPC to generate and compose music. If I want to record original analog sounds from the real world, I've got a nifty sound card for my DeskTop PC. If at some point I want to use the Tablet to record sounds in the field, or a friend's band, I'll have to pick up a USB/Firewire sound device, and you'll be sure to know about it.

But the thing that the Tablet really shines is INTERFACE. And so I'll be reviewing Music Software that primarily generates it's own sounds. SoftSynths (like AbSynth and Reaktor), FruityLoops, Reason, Live, Acid all come to mind as worthy topics. After I've created something with one of these applications, I'll burn it to a CD and/or render a Wave or MP3(or ogg vorbis, whatever) the point is that the built in audio chip in only used or previewing the sound, and has no effect on the final audio quality.

What I'm using:
I have a Gateway branded Motion Computing M1200. It's a PIII 933mHz, and I've got 768MB of RAM.
Oh, and the built in speakers SUCK. They are useless for Music Creation. Really. Phew.
Which doesn't matter to me a whit, as I always use headphones when I'm creating music.

2003-10-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

The TabletPC may be most intuitive interface for creating music with a PC. For anyone using a PC to create Music, the for difficult thing is the Interface. Trying to grab those little knobs and sliders with your mouse can be a trial in frustration. There is lot's of hardware with real knobs and sliders and such, but for those who like to compose on the go, or like me, would rather jam in a bean-bag chair than sitting at a desk, laptops have become increasingly popular. But if you think trying to use software via a mouse is bad, try using that little touch-pad! ugh!

I originally looked to the TabletPC, as a way to changing up my interface with the computer. I use the computer a lot.. At work (I'm a programmer) for fun (as a gamer) and as an hobbyist artist & musician. 15+ years of the mouse has given me a good does of Repetitive Stress Disorder, and I've gone through all kinds of interface alternatives. For the last 5 years, I've been a Wacom Tablet user, and still use my Wacom when working at a Desktop PC (at work, and my other computer)

Anyone who uses a Wacom or other Tablet has wished they could look at the tablet instead of the screen (it's like writing without looking at your hand..) When the TabletPC's came out, I knew that would be my next computer. As soon as I could pick one up affordably(relatively) I'd be there.

Once I got my TabletPC, sholud have been happily every after.. Except.. Except for the DOOM of XP and the Intel SpeedStep!
You see the intel SpeedStep processor dynamically switches the processor with power conditions. Under Windows2000, you can turn this off, but under XP, Microsoft decides the user didn't need control of that tinsy little feature. Ok, after lot's research & reading I figured out if you use the XP "Always On" Power Scheme, I could lock the Processor speed. But the "Dynamic Switching Function" is still active and that means any streaming media application (Like ANY Music Software!) is filled with enough delightful pops & clicks to make me yearn for an old record player!

I thought my Tablet was gonna be useless for Music, until I came across a WONDERFUL utility called SpeedSwitchXP. This app and allows you to set the processor speed and disable SpeedStep!

Since then I've been a Happy Tablet musician, grooving in the Bean Bag, and having a merry ol' time.

So that's what this blog is about: The convergence of the TabletPC and Electronic Music.
I'll be reviewing hardware & software, giving "hints 'n tips" on using a TabletPC for music creation, pointing out the pitfalls involved, and otherwise sharing my joy.

Links to things mentioned in this article:
Bay Wolf's Speedstep FAQ
SpeedswitchXP
Info on Repetitive Stress Disorder

Tablet Musician