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My hobby is recording LPs and cassettes to digital (WAV) files and then using software to "clean up" the music files and burn them to CDs. Until recently my turntable was hooked up to a Lite-On 5005 DVD recorder, which also allowed direct recording to CD-RWs. Then I would take the CD-RW to my computer, read the files, and clean them up. Unfortunately, my Lite-On has gotten old and has started recording its own noise to the files -- obviously, a very bad thing!
My restoration computer runs Windows XP, and that probably won't change, but the turntable is located in a different room. For many reasons (including my intense dislike for Windows, the fact that I'm a command-line UNIX junkie from way back, and cost) I've decided not to get a dedicated CD Recorder -- I'm looking into getting an inexpensive computer and running a Linux distro -- it looks like Ubuntu Studio will be more than adequate. Basically, I just need the new machine to do a good job of recording the music from the turntable/pre-amp.
My questions:
First, does anyone have any words of warning or advice about the specific distro? Is there some reason this might not be a good idea? I would have to add a good sound card -- will this be a problem for Linux?
Second, what are the minimum hardware requirements I should be looking for? I have been considering a small refurbished computer (IBM) from TigerDirect. My main computer is an IBM ThinkCentre and I've been impressed with the hardware and how easy it was to do a major upgrade a couple years ago. I can get a reasonable-looking refurbished IBM desktop cheap -- especially if I opt for one with no OS.
Third, comments from other customers about "no OS" computers from TigerDirect have said their computers arrived "with all boot devices disabled in BIOS." How hard would it be to install Linux on a machine like this?
My UNIX experience is current up through System V Rev 3, so I've forgotten enough to be truly dangerous. Any help or advice would be welcome!
My restoration computer runs Windows XP, and that probably won't change, but the turntable is located in a different room. For many reasons (including my intense dislike for Windows, the fact that I'm a command-line UNIX junkie from way back, and cost) I've decided not to get a dedicated CD Recorder -- I'm looking into getting an inexpensive computer and running a Linux distro -- it looks like Ubuntu Studio will be more than adequate. Basically, I just need the new machine to do a good job of recording the music from the turntable/pre-amp.
My questions:
First, does anyone have any words of warning or advice about the specific distro? Is there some reason this might not be a good idea? I would have to add a good sound card -- will this be a problem for Linux?
Second, what are the minimum hardware requirements I should be looking for? I have been considering a small refurbished computer (IBM) from TigerDirect. My main computer is an IBM ThinkCentre and I've been impressed with the hardware and how easy it was to do a major upgrade a couple years ago. I can get a reasonable-looking refurbished IBM desktop cheap -- especially if I opt for one with no OS.
Third, comments from other customers about "no OS" computers from TigerDirect have said their computers arrived "with all boot devices disabled in BIOS." How hard would it be to install Linux on a machine like this?
My UNIX experience is current up through System V Rev 3, so I've forgotten enough to be truly dangerous. Any help or advice would be welcome!
This post has been edited by Capn Easy: 06 June 2009 - 06:30 PM
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