Computer Rig 2

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rsm

rsm

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I documented making my first computer rig for guitar here: https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/computer-guitar-rig.280097/

Works great, but I want something smaller and more portable.

I found a renewed Dell Rugged Extreme tablet for around $200 which will be delivered today. It has an integrated 11.6" touchscreen, i5 chip, 8 GB RAM, and 128GB SSD

I plan to use the wireless keyboard, Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface, and my KMI SoftStep2 from my Computer Rig 1, with some of the same plugins; depends on how much storage I have available.

The two main plugins are Blue Cat Audio's PatchWork, and PolyChromeDSP - McRocklin Suite.

PatchWork let's me create patches using different plugins; then I use these PatchWork patches in my SoftStep2 with up to 10 presets per map; I've yet to go deeper into the MIDI controls to do live parameter changes and adjustments, which is powerful but haven't really needed yet.

PolyChromeDSP - McRockling Suite is my fav guitar plugin; sounds amazing; easy to use and very versatile.

Going to see if I can do everything I want and need with these two plugins before I add anymore (Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room, BCA Axiom,...)

I also ordered a longer USB cable to be able to move the audio interface near my mixer, and have the tablet remote. That means a longer instrument cable back to the audio interface, and shorter output cables from the audio interface into the mixer.

Here's the tablet:


715ac3zHDTL._AC_SX679_.jpg




...and the wireless mini keyboard and audio interface (with the cube desktop computer from Computer Rig 1):

computer-audio-interface.JPG
 
I documented making my first computer rig for guitar here: https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/computer-guitar-rig.280097/

Works great, but I want something smaller and more portable.

I found a renewed Dell Rugged Extreme tablet for around $200 which will be delivered today. It has an integrated 11.6" touchscreen, i5 chip, 8 GB RAM, and 128GB SSD

I plan to use the wireless keyboard, Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface, and my KMI SoftStep2 from my Computer Rig 1, with some of the same plugins; depends on how much storage I have available.

The two main plugins are Blue Cat Audio's PatchWork, and PolyChromeDSP - McRocklin Suite.

PatchWork let's me create patches using different plugins; then I use these PatchWork patches in my SoftStep2 with up to 10 presets per map; I've yet to go deeper into the MIDI controls to do live parameter changes and adjustments, which is powerful but haven't really needed yet.

PolyChromeDSP - McRockling Suite is my fav guitar plugin; sounds amazing; easy to use and very versatile.

Going to see if I can do everything I want and need with these two plugins before I add anymore (Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room, BCA Axiom,...)

I also ordered a longer USB cable to be able to move the audio interface near my mixer, and have the tablet remote. That means a longer instrument cable back to the audio interface, and shorter output cables from the audio interface into the mixer.

Here's the tablet:


715ac3zHDTL._AC_SX679_.jpg




...and the wireless mini keyboard and audio interface (with the cube desktop computer from Computer Rig 1:)

View attachment 337326


I saw in your picture that you have a Behringer Xenyx mixer; Is that the mixer/USB Interface? My other guitarist is going to let me borrow his but I think it's a 12 channel version.
 
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My home bedroom rig was a Line 6 Toneport UX1 USB recording interface hooked up to HP Pavilion p6-2100 Windows 7 Home Edition desktop computer through Altec Lansing computer speakers (2 desktop speakers and small sub on floor).

I'm also trying to update my bedroom computer recording rig and have a new HP Windows 11 laptop with an 11th generation Intel Core i3 Quad Core Processor but it only has 2 USB and 1 USB-C outs and a new LG (34BQ77QB-B) 34" UltraWide WQHD Curved IPS 60 Hz LED Monitor with Built-in Universal Docking Station.

My other guitarist is going to let me borrow his Behringer X1204USB mixer/USB Interface & here it is in the link below:

https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0601-ACW

I want to get a new USB recording interface that has Zero Latency & keep the Toneport UX1 for backup & stop using the old Altec Lansing computer speakers & get a pair of affordable, great sounding studio monitors.
 
I saw in your picture that you have a Behringer Xenyx mixer; Is that the mixer/USB Interface? My other guitarist is going to let me borrow his but I think it's a 12 channel version.
yes, it's Xenyx Q1002USB, several years old
 
My home bedroom rig was a Line 6 Toneport UX1 USB recording interface hooked up to HP Pavilion p6-2100 Windows 7 Home Edition desktop computer through Altec Lansing computer speakers (2 desktop speakers and small sub on floor).

I'm also trying to update my bedroom computer recording rig and have a new HP Windows 11 laptop with an 11th generation Intel Core i3 Quad Core Processor but it only has 2 USB and 1 USB-C outs and a new LG (34BQ77QB-B) 34" UltraWide WQHD Curved IPS 60 Hz LED Monitor with Built-in Universal Docking Station.

My other guitarist is going to let me borrow his Behringer X1204USB mixer/USB Interface & here it is in the link below:

https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0601-ACW

I want to get a new USB recording interface that has Zero Latency & keep the Toneport UX1 for backup & stop using the old Altec Lansing computer speakers & get a pair of affordable, great sounding studio monitors.
My main audio interface is an Audient Evo 8; the Arturia MiniFuse 1 is small and cheap, and works fine for a guitar plugin host computer rig which isn't a recording rig.
 
It's working out well! Downloading Windows 11; may not need the external keyboard!

Here's a pic of the desktop with PolyChromeDSP - McRocklin Suite running.


IMG_0605 - Copy.JPG
 
I documented making my first computer rig for guitar here: https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/computer-guitar-rig.280097/

Works great, but I want something smaller and more portable.

I found a renewed Dell Rugged Extreme tablet for around $200 which will be delivered today. It has an integrated 11.6" touchscreen, i5 chip, 8 GB RAM, and 128GB SSD

I plan to use the wireless keyboard, Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface, and my KMI SoftStep2 from my Computer Rig 1, with some of the same plugins; depends on how much storage I have available.

The two main plugins are Blue Cat Audio's PatchWork, and PolyChromeDSP - McRocklin Suite.

PatchWork let's me create patches using different plugins; then I use these PatchWork patches in my SoftStep2 with up to 10 presets per map; I've yet to go deeper into the MIDI controls to do live parameter changes and adjustments, which is powerful but haven't really needed yet.

PolyChromeDSP - McRockling Suite is my fav guitar plugin; sounds amazing; easy to use and very versatile.

Going to see if I can do everything I want and need with these two plugins before I add anymore (Neural DSP plugins, Helix Native, Marshall Amp Room, BCA Axiom,...)

I also ordered a longer USB cable to be able to move the audio interface near my mixer, and have the tablet remote. That means a longer instrument cable back to the audio interface, and shorter output cables from the audio interface into the mixer.

Here's the tablet:


715ac3zHDTL._AC_SX679_.jpg




...and the wireless mini keyboard and audio interface (with the cube desktop computer from Computer Rig 1):

View attachment 337326
Hi, I would like to ask how did these computers work out? The mini computer and the rugged extreme. I have been looking for the smallest lightest live computer rig. I know the Dell rugged may be a little heavy but it’s all in one. The mini computer could be used for more than one purpose so it’s more versatile. What is your go to now, a year later?
 
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I'm still using the Dell Latitude rugged touchscreen tablet, I don't use the mini computer anymore - there were some config issues with the remote touchscreen.

Having it all in one with a touchscreen is working well. No issues with it; one thing to research is how to turn off all the unnecessary windows apps and things at startup....I turn off just about everything including security, wireless, update, and other automatic system services and start up apps. You have to remember to turn on a few things before connecting it to the internet to update windows, or other things...then disconnect it and turn everything you don't need off again. Mostly it's the startup apps, and updater programs - easy enough to find what to do online.

When it comes time to upgrade the computer, I'm thinking a small handheld gaming PC, like this, be sure to check the number and type of USB connections:

1757346361639.png


https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Claw-A1M-Gaming-Handheld/dp/B0FF6ND3WR


edit I'd get this computer if I was building it today, but the rugged tablet was around $200, and these gaming handhelds were over $1000 with these specs last year when I got the Dell, vs this one now at $599.99
 
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Thanks for replying with this info about the computers. I was cautioned about the rugged windows tablets for having a "M" mobile style operating system that would not run all program applications.
So I have to ask what speed is the Dell cpu. Is it 2Ghz?
The ones sold in Ontario Canada at that price are 1.1 Ghz or1.4 Ghz, less than enough for safe, fast operation of Scuffham S-Gear, the standalone app I want to use. Its fantastic sounding with many presets that are stage ready out of the box. Their website used to say it needs 2 Ghz so 2.4Ghz-2.6Ghz would work. I recommend a free trial to check it out.

Dell Latitude 12 7212 RUGGED 11.6 inch Intel Core i5-7300U, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM, at 2.6 Ghz is $500 CAD.​

for that much I would consider
https://octavetech.eu/product/octave/
Octavetech HS-1 includes a bunch of software and includes a audio interface built in. That product looks great. $900.

I looked at the McRocklin webpage and looks and sounds really good.
The gaming handheld looks cool.
I have a Mooer P2 with wireless pedal and that's what I use for gigs now. It is perfectly good for compact multi effects. However,
It does not sound close to the S-Gear. S-Gear make me want to play for hours. The P2 makes me want to twiddle knobs with out much satisfaction.
I will keep looking for the right computer
Thanks again
 
Thanks for replying with this info about the computers. I was cautioned about the rugged windows tablets for having a "M" mobile style operating system that would not run all program applications.
So I have to ask what speed is the Dell cpu. Is it 2Ghz?
The ones sold in Ontario Canada at that price are 1.1 Ghz or1.4 Ghz, less than enough for safe, fast operation of Scuffham S-Gear, the standalone app I want to use. Its fantastic sounding with many presets that are stage ready out of the box. Their website used to say it needs 2 Ghz so 2.4Ghz-2.6Ghz would work. I recommend a free trial to check it out.

Dell Latitude 12 7212 RUGGED 11.6 inch Intel Core i5-7300U, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM, at 2.6 Ghz is $500 CAD.​

for that much I would consider
https://octavetech.eu/product/octave/
Octavetech HS-1 includes a bunch of software and includes a audio interface built in. That product looks great. $900.

I looked at the McRocklin webpage and looks and sounds really good.
The gaming handheld looks cool.
I have a Mooer P2 with wireless pedal and that's what I use for gigs now. It is perfectly good for compact multi effects. However,
It does not sound close to the S-Gear. S-Gear make me want to play for hours. The P2 makes me want to twiddle knobs with out much satisfaction.
I will keep looking for the right computer
Thanks again


The Octave looks good; the CPU in the handheld gaming computers was also a concern. I also checked the requirements for all my plugins to be sure the would run on my Dell tablet.

The specs of my Dell Latitude rugged tablet, and I got the free Windows 11 upgrade which worked flawlessly:

Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet, 11.6 inch FHD (1920x1080) Touch LCD, Intel Core i5-6300U, 8GB Ram, 128GB SSD, WiFi, GPS, Windows 10 Professional (Renewed)​


Amazon has one now for $394.99, I paid $214 for mine last August.
 
Looking at the Octave Tech HS-1 you posted, very tempting. The floorboard controller looks like a Mooer F4 which I already have. I'll be watching this, but a handheld gaming PC, like the MSI I posted above is still my top choice today, if I needed to upgrade the Dell Latitude rugged tablet.

Cheers!
 
Looking at the Octave Tech HS-1 you posted, very tempting. The floorboard controller looks like a Mooer F4 which I already have. I'll be watching this, but a handheld gaming PC, like the MSI I posted above is still my top choice today, if I needed to upgrade the Dell Latitude rugged tablet.

Cheers!
You got a good deal on the rugged tablet. I will keep a look out for an affordable for me option. I have yet to see an independent review of the Octave Tech HS-1, so I will look for that too. Thanks for replying.
 
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