Surface for music production/performance?

[Andreas H]

Does anyone use their Surface pro for music production/performance with software like Ableton, Logic, Cubase etc?
If you do, how does it perform? Does it cope well with heavy CPU-load from the DAW and plugins?

 

[chezm]

I'm using cubase sx 2, Fruity loops studio 11, FL groove and demo of cubase 7. They all run really well, the only thing is the headphones aren't registering for output on cubase programs, still uses speakers. FL uses headphones no problem.


UPDATE: Ok, i found the problem...someone else was experiencing a similar issues on a laptop (so its not specifcially related to Pro 2)....HOWEVER the ASIO driver isnt offering the headphones as a VST Connection Output option....WEIRD, gotta figure this out.

http://forum.recordingreview.com/f23/help-please-cant-get-headphones-working-cubase-5-a-31307/

You can ee 4-5 posts down, the screen shots are identical to what im experiencing (but headphones arent showing up).

 

[immyperez]

I don't have a Surface and will probably get the 2520 (rt) tbh.

I use Reason myself. I was tempted to grab the surface 2 but I can't be bothered dragging my balance soundcard peripheral and my keyboard around with me, lol.

Seriously though...I think I might log into my main PC using the RT tablet because I don't think it's something one would do frequently?

Would you not be better with a touch screen hybrid laptop? They offer more storage and more options for one that fits your needs.

 

[chezm]

I'm not exactly sure what a hybrid laptop can offer more than a SP2 in terms of music production. Storage for me is solved by using a unified external HDD between my PC and SP2. It really depends how one plans to use their portable device for recording. I mainly record drums and synth for my band. A laptop cannot replace my 10 channel input PCI card, so analog recording can only be properly done on my PC. I have having a blast using Pro to compose and mix electronic parts of songs, something that could only be as precisely done with a touch screen interface. So ya, one could get a standard laptop touch screen instead...but I don't see a major difference.

As a music composer I dont use 50-60 gb of data in a single period, once im done I store my composition externally and start on a new album or compilation. My 128gb is more than enough storage for on the go/portable tools. My PC cannot be replaced just yet by a laptop, nothing comes close to my 1010lt...so the pro is an excellent counterpart.

 

[immyperez]

Does anyone here know if the RT tablets can be used as secondary screens and if so how was the experience - if you've managed to do it that is, lol.

I would love to use an RT tablet for the mixing desk element of reason.

EDIT: From what I've read online, it's not even possible with a Surface Pro! Aww well...one can always dream.

 

[anon(62000)]

My workaround for the headphone issue is to use ASIO4ALL as the audio driver. The headphones can be selected in its control panel. I had the same issue in Studio One.

I'm using cubase sx 2, Fruity loops studio 11, FL groove and demo of cubase 7. They all run really well, the only thing is the headphones aren't registering for output on cubase programs, still uses speakers. FL uses headphones no problem.


UPDATE: Ok, i found the problem...someone else was experiencing a similar issues on a laptop (so its not specifcially related to Pro 2)....HOWEVER the ASIO driver isnt offering the headphones as a VST Connection Output option....WEIRD, gotta figure this out.

Help please: Can't get headphones working in Cubase 5

You can ee 4-5 posts down, the screen shots are identical to what im experiencing (but headphones arent showing up).

 

[MBytes]

Call me ignorant in sound/music production. But don't you want to carry a USB solution rather than using a 2$ on-board sound chip.
I would see in carrying something like an Objective 2 Headphone Amp (example of device, not recommendation of product). It feature a significantly better DAC and amplifier for not only driving high impedance headphones but also provide a nice clean sound, interference free.

 

[anon(62000)]

For recording with a good condenser, sure. But for just rough mixing or in-the-box* production, a USB audio card really isn't necessary. Unless of course, you want to skip the headphones altogether and output to a pair of monitors.

Call me ignorant in sound/music production. But don't you want to carry a USB solution rather than using a 2$ on-board sound chip.
I would see in carrying something like an Objective 2 Headphone Amp (example of device, not recommendation of product). It feature a significantly better DAC and amplifier for not only driving high impedance headphones but also provide a nice clean sound, interference free.