Create a tiny music computer? Or just get a tablet?

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MOK19

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Jun 7, 2005
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Hey all,
In this thread, I'd like some of your input on my situation:

I am an electronic musician and club dj, and am making the move from analog records to a full digital setup. This is due to limitless ways of manipulating digital media along with integration options with my audio creation software. Theres innumerable options that simply don't exist for analog djing, including the ability to sequence my own work into mixes in real time.

Unfortunately, since my role behind the decks is that of an entertainer of sorts, my presentation, along with other superficial aspects, go a long ways. Not so long ago, the analogue presentation that was the standard 100% of the time, and is still something I've got to to try and emulate to a degree. People respond better to a musician twiddling knobs and a working a turntable than someone who's staring at a computer screen(not to mention the false impression that analog audio sounds better).
In short, I can't be looking like I'm checking my email.

To try and reconcile this disconnect, I have a few hurdles and a few ideas.
-First I need to bring a computer to the gig. This is UGLY, so I need the smallest form factor conceivable. Fortunately, my software doesn't require very much processing power, ram, or even internal storage, comaratively...
-Second, I'd like to use a touchscreen that lays relatively flush with the podium/table alongside my other music controllers. That way if they even know I'm using a computer, it at least looks cool. And they know I'm using my hands and not a mouse. Yes, I know how superficial this is.
-Third, cabling reliability is a concern. Things getting unplugged due to incidentals is a risk and a complete gig-breaker. So I need secure cabling, and I'd like as little as possible.
-Fourth, space is limited, so the less space I use, the better.

All that said, I feel I've got two options
1) get a tablet laptop.
Pro's for tablet: Feels more modular, slightly less items and cabling
Cons: Since it'll get folded flush with the table, no keyboard unless I connect a USB keyboard, somewhat defeating it's purpose. More expensive(???)

2) create a tiny computer and purchase a touchscreen.
Pros for lil' pc: More expandable, faster cpu and hard drives, more versatile(?), cheaper (???)
Cons: A bit more visible and out of the ordinary(in either a good or bad way depending on the viewer), probably heavier, less concise. Feels like it's a big unknown variable, as I've never seen someone attempt this setup.

I guess my main concern is cost. But also I feel I'm possibly missing something. And then there's the generalized feeling of unease. This is taking a big leap for me. I'm not merely using this for gaming, I have to rely on it at gigs. That, and the purchase will make me broke, so if I make a bad investment, I'm fucked.

So I'd like you guys' input. Have you heard of, or seen, someone doing this? Do you have recommendations for minimal size cases? Or minimum cost tablets? Does anything else come to mind?
Thanks a ton for the help.
 
You sound like a candidate for a mini-itx system.

I would probably go with the Intel Little valley board, 1 gig or so of ram and a laptop hard drive. You didn't mention if you needed an optical drive in the machine or not.


There are several very industrial like cases you could put this in.


You could probably do the pc, minus the touchscreen, for $300 or $400. If not less.
 
I can even go without an optical drive. I'd rather keep that as an optional external. Anything to reduce size.
Matter of fact, if there were a box that only had enough to suit power/mobo/processor/ram, I'd be money.
So you say there's several options, but when I've looked around, I haven't seen that many. I've seen none that are minus the optical bays, for instance. Got some links I could chew on?
 
Let me throw a little more info on tablet PCs.

First, it sounds like you've at least handled a tablet before... but I don't know which mfr/model. I have 2 gateways (not by choice) for a few years now.

More cons:
When you flip the lid and it's in true tablet mode, it can get HOT and of course that can cause your lappy to throttle down and any apps to freeze up.
They're expensive, $2k+ for each of mine.
Not very durable... drop it once and you have done serious damage (contrasted by my trusty dell 600m).

More pros:
Complete all in one system. No monitor to lug around, no mouse, no keyboard, nada. Very slim and sexy.


Other thoughts:
You mention that you might have to buy another keyboard... well, you can use the stylus input and in palm pilot style, peck the letters on the screen.

If money is no object for you, consider getting either system with a solid state drive... yeah they're mega expensive, but they're able to take more abuse than a traditional drive.

Are you sure a tablet will have all the audio outs that a DJ needs? All I have on mine are headphone jacks...
 
MOK19 said:
I can even go without an optical drive. I'd rather keep that as an optional external. Anything to reduce size.
Matter of fact, if there were a box that only had enough to suit power/mobo/processor/ram, I'd be money.
So you say there's several options, but when I've looked around, I haven't seen that many. I've seen none that are minus the optical bays, for instance. Got some links I could chew on?
Click to expand...



You can try Logic Supply

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/voompc_2

http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/cases/mini_itx


They carry about everything mini itx.
 
Interesting problem.... I'm also looking for a small mp3 player solution. My idea was to take a mITX board with wireless, some RAM and a good soundcard. The hole thing controlled by a touchscreen. The problem was finding the right screen (10.2") and jukebox like software and a nice looking case.
Like you I'm on the way to store all my vinyl (around 300 12" singels) and CD's on a NAS storage.
My first solution was simply to buy a Sonos system, but they ar really expensive.
This could be a solution IEI 12.1" AMD LX800 500MHz Fanless Panel PC Barebone, but there is no onboard sound which leaves another problem.
 
Dude, I've got the Nokia N800 and N810, both are very tiny all screen basically, touch screen, it's like bringing a downloading mega music machine everywhere I go, and they are surprisingly cheap. Under 200 dollars. These have great storage and many abilities.
 
tablet will be way smaller if you need a display. theres simply no comparison.
you can get very portable bluetooth keyboards that will serve you well with a tablet. they make fold up ones that fold to the size of a pack of cigs.

the bigger issue is sound output and input.

MOST micro-ATX and tablet systems will have _dreadful_ onboard sound, a couple will use a realtek 889a or quality ADI codec, but most motherboards seem to pander to overclockers but ignore anyone with an ear for hifi. tablets, on the other hand, will nearly certainly all have bad sound. but i'd wager that a microATX system would be too big for your taste anyways, and anything in the sub-microATX form factor will almost certainly ahve bad sound.

there is a good answer thankfully: you can get good quality 96khz/24bit usb sound cards. some of these will be tiny, others like the emu 0404 could end up being nearly a third the size of the computer but may provide usable mixing controls. the main downside is cabling. the upside is that it will be the point of contact with most of your sound gear, so if there is some physical catastrophe, you're less likely to have to replace your computer, and more likely to just fuck up the jacks on the sound card.

you can get fine tablets for $800. but you'll need to spend another $70 on a bluetooth keyboard and another $70 - $200 on a sound solution. you dont need anything fast or top of the line, go find a pentium m tablet on dealnews, 12". pentium m puts out very little heat, i cannot imagine having any overheating problems. depending on how bad your space needs are, you can drop the $220 and buy a 500GB laptop hard drive if you really need it. and you can always add more laptop drives via USB, they're small and bus powered, so cabling is minimal.

if you just needed a cpu, there are some very very small computers. but as you need a display, my recommendation would be to buy something that has the display built in. further, touchscreen monitors are damned crazy expensive and hard to find, which I'd highlight as a huge negative in your quest to be slick & all and not use a mouse. what you want is a tablet, a usb sound card, and maybe a bluetooth keyboard. it will be far slicker than a box and a bunch of wires and a display and a keyboard and a mouse.
 
JFX said:
Dude, I've got the Nokia N800 and N810, both are very tiny all screen basically, touch screen, it's like bringing a downloading mega music machine everywhere I go, and they are surprisingly cheap. Under 200 dollars. These have great storage and many abilities.
Click to expand...

Sounds like our man wants to run some audio apps, not just have a music player. Otherwise he'd just get some mp3 player that can do Rockbox.
 
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