Hi, I am starting to sniff around for another pre-built audio computer. It’ll be my third one ever, the first was Carillon, and my current is an ADK from 2014, still going strong, but falling a little behind in terms of computing power. I loved the phone and “remoting in” support ADK gave as well!
Why past tense, “I loved …”? Well, I would buy another system from ADK in a heartbeat, but the company is under new ownership recently, and i have no idea whether buying a new computer from the new company would be anything at all like previously.
So, anyone with recommendations nowadays? I have been talking with Chris Ludwig who was the big kahuna at ADK in the old days. He’s got a new company, https://www.fundamentalav.com/ , and he’s been very helpful to me in the past few weeks in bringing my old ADK into the current era after being idle for a few years - I’ll definitely be looking at him when I do purchase.
Long story short … If you’ve recently bought a pre-built computer in the US, please share your experiences - hardware, software, support, etc.
Thank you!
W10 on Intel(R) Core™ i5-4570 CPU @ 3.20GHz, 16 GB RAM
I got a new PC from ADK about 6 months ago. It was a replacement for an aging ADK DAW (under old ownership). Great overall experience. I came in with what I thought was a good configuration. After chatting about specific usage that got tweaked a bit. Fairly fast delivery considering it’s built to order and includes burn-in.
Don’t want to jinx anything, but very satisfied so far.
I can highly, highly recommend the fanless PCs from https://silentpc.com/. They are completely fanless (meaning they are completely quiet and make zero noise - that’s critical if that PC is going to be in your studio!), yet they offer all the latest high performance components (Alder Lake processors, up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, the highest-performance SSDs, can drive up to three 4K screens, etc.).
I am using this one myself, and am super happy with it as the centerpiece of my studio running Cubase 12 on Windows 11:
Basically just running it for awhile (I think ADK does 24 hours) doing some work. Electronic devices tend to fail when they are old (duh) and also when they are brand spanking new. A burn-in is designed to catch those early failures.
I have used https://www.fundamentalav.com/ Chris Ludwig to build and service my Latest Recording/Video Studio Computer. I have had my studio since 1972, so I have been through many builds.
The box he built is amazing but most of all, HE DOES back up his computers with EXCELLENT responsive tech support ass promised. He is the REAL DEAL!
I would just add that Chris https://www.fundamentalav.com/
was one of the main guys from ADK before it got sold, I still have a c. 2014 machine from them I use, it works fine for me, he helped me a lot then, and recently helped me start up that same machine when I got it out of mothballs a while ago.
Not only great service, but speaking to him on the phone for extended periods of time, he seems like a good guy too.
Fundamental AV, ADK, silentpc all highly recommended here.
Anyone recently purchase another pre-built music computer in the US recently? What are your experiences?
What with W10 support ending in a few months (my machine doesn’t qualify to upgrade to W11) and all this tariff uncertainty, plus the machine not getting any younger, I think I need to pull the trigger in the next few months.
I am the sort of computer customer who definitely needs hand holding after sale. With my present computer, built by the “old” ADK, Chris Ludwig and his helpers (Dave is a great guy whose name I remember) walked me through upgrading my memory, replacing hard drives with SSDs, etc.
I absolutely want some help with transferring all my licenses to my new computer, not just a box delivered and then I’m left on my own.
I definitely want to buy from someone who offers similar post sales service.
Yeah, I’m not proud to say all that, but it is what it is. I wonder if there’s a company around that offers all that like the original ADK did in the old days?
Thanks for any more advice!
PS: I’ve started reaching out, sent emails so far to pacaudiolabs and fundamentalav.
One problem is that we typically buy DAW PCs infrequently enough that our own experiences are obsolete most of the time.
So I asked Copilot what it thought
List the US PC builders who specialize in DAWs and compare them for price/value, services offered etc.
Here are some US-based PC builders that specialize in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), along with a comparison of their offerings:
ADK Pro Audio:
Focus: Custom-built PCs for audio and video production.
Price/Value: Known for high-quality builds, but prices can be on the premium side.
Services: Offers lifetime tech support, optimization for DAWs like Pro Tools and Cubase, and low-latency performance tuning.
Creation Station (Sweetwater):
Focus: Tailored for musicians and producers.
Price/Value: Competitive pricing with a focus on reliability.
Services: Pre-installed software, optimized for audio production, and Sweetwater’s renowned customer support.
Puget Systems:
Focus: Custom PCs for various professional needs, including audio production.
Price/Value: Offers a balance of performance and cost, with detailed customization options.
Services: Extensive testing, detailed build reports, and lifetime labor support.
Digital Storm:
Focus: High-performance PCs, including options for creative professionals.
Price/Value: Premium pricing with a focus on top-tier components.
Services: Custom builds, overclocking, and lifetime tech support.
Origin PC:
Focus: High-end custom PCs for gaming and professional use.
Price/Value: Expensive but offers cutting-edge hardware.
Services: Lifetime tech support, financing options, and extensive customization.
PC Audio Labs:
Focus: Dedicated to audio production systems.
Price/Value: Mid-to-high range pricing with a focus on DAW optimization.
Services: Pre-installed DAW software, low-latency tuning, and tech support.
Each of these builders has its strengths, so the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferred level of customization. Let me know if you’d like help narrowing down the options!
May I ask - how long ago did you buy your fundamentalav computer, is it still going great, do you know if they are still cranking out new systems, how did they get all the old programs from your old computer onto the new one?
And FWIW, I’m not hearing back from Chris at Fundamental AV (he left the “old” ADK and went out on his own).
Wondering if it’s just a minefield out there in the land of spec-built audio computers.
Thanks for that AI list as well. I do want to be careful in considering purchasing from anyone that is new to the field of building audio computers for sale, I’m just very cautious, especially given my technical naiveté in that sort of thing.
give Cris at fundemental a call and speak to him..he is great on the phone for any pre sales questions..
I WOULD NEVER recommend anyone these days UNLESS I am sure of his or their reliability.
I am going on 1 and 1/2 years..NO ISSUES with his computer…He offers I believe FREE support on his computers…as for moving old proggrams form a computer is near impossible…I keep my legacy software on another older computer…
Well, I’ve got 5 potential rigs to look at, from three different companies, that seems like a good amount of shopping I’d think (?). ADK has closed its doors, Fundamental AV is not answering emails or online queries, so the remaining three companies are:
Sweetwater (Option 1 Below)
Studiocat (Options 2 and 3, below)
PCAudiolabs (Options 4 and 5, below)
I’m thinking the Sweetwater option is overpriced in comparison to the first studiocat option, especially comparing chips.
The PC Audiolabs Option 5 uses an AMD chip - does my use of a UAD-2 Solo card rule that chip out?
I’m thinking Studiocat’s Option 3 might hit the sweet spot in terms of price/performance.
OPTION 1. Sweetwater:
$US 2,699 https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/creation-station/
Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64-bit
CPU: Intel 14th Generation Core i7 (i7-14700), 3.0GHz Clock Speed (5.4GHz Max Turbo Boost)
Motherboard: Intel Z790 Chipset
Graphics/Video: Intel UHD Graphics 770 (integrated)
Maximum Resolution: DisplayPort 7680 x 4230, HDMI 4096 x 2160
Memory - Included: 32GB DDR5/5600 (4 slots/2 filled)
Memory - Max: 128GB
Storage - Included: 2TB NVME PCIe 4.0 M.2 Module
Storage - Expanded: 1x Open 3.5" SATA Hot Swap
USB Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x Type-A 3.2 Gen 2, 4 x Type-A 3.2 Gen 1
PCI Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1
Video Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort
Ethernet: 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
WiFi: PCIe 801.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi Card
Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/8" (mic in), 1 x 1/8" (line in)
Audio Outputs: 1 x Toslink, 2 x 1/8" (Rear, Center/Bass), 1 x 1/8" (line out)
Height: 7" (4U)
Width: 19"
Depth: 20" (face to rear), 20.75" (handles to rear)
Manufacturer Part Number: CS400.9.0
OPTION 2: Studiocathttp://www.studiocat.com/
StudioCat Pro Studio (15th Gen)
$2,658.00
Power Supply:
850w ultra quiet
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra CPU: Core Ultra 7 265k (5.5GHz)
RAM:
32GB DDR5/6000 (2x16GB)
OS drive:
1TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Audio drive:
2TB M.2 SSD (3500MB/Sec)
Samples drive 1:
4TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Video:
Intel Graphics
Operating System:
Win11 x64 Pro
Probably no DVD/Blu-Ray
OPTION 3: Studiocat
StudioCat Platinum Studio (15th Gen)
$3,399.00
Arrow Lake CPU:
Core Ultra 9 285k (5.7GHz)
Power Supply:
1000w ultra quiet
RAM:
32GB DDR5/6000 (2x16GB)
OS drive:
1TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Audio drive:
2TB M.2 SSD (3500MB/Sec)
Samples drive:
4TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Video:
Intel Graphics
Operating System:
Win11 x64 Pro
Probably no DVD/Blu-Ray
OPTION 4: PCAudioLabs PCAudioLabs ROK BOX MC-X Pro Audio PC Rack & Desktop
$US 3,490
Rok Box MC X POWER Desktop or Rackmount Pro Audio PC
Case:
Rok Box Full Tower
Intel CPUs:
Ultra 7 265K 20 cores (8P+12E) 20 Threads 5.5GHz
Motherboard and Power Supply:
z890 Chipset DDR5 RAM with 850w PSU
CPU Cooling:
Quiet Fan
Thunderbolt 4:
None
High Performance Memory - DDR5:
32GB DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
Hard Drive Options:
Standard Drives
Primary Drive (OS):
1TB m.2 NVMe SSD
Secondary Drive (Audio):
2TB m.2 NVMe SSD #1 Sample Library Drive (Data):
4TB m.2 NVMe SSD
Additional Standard Drives:
Select
Operating System:
Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Windows USB Recovery:
No thanks
Graphic Card:
2GB Triple Display NVIDIA Graphics
FireWire Card:
None
WiFi Adapter:
None
Internal Optical Drive:
None
Keyboard & Mouse:
None
Install Software:
Yes please
Installs::
Please list any applications and drivers here you would like installed
OBEDIA Training Session:
OBEDIA - 30 min Session
OBEDIA Diamond Coverage (Warranty):
One Year Coverage
Lifetime Technical Support:
FREE!
OPTION 5: PCAudioLabs
$US 3,350
MC Z POWER Desktop and Rackmount
Case:
Rok Box Full Tower
AMD Ryzen CPUs (but I have a UAD-2 Solo card, and UADx native plugins - so maybe AMD not so good?):
RYZEN 7 9700X 8-Core, 16-Thread
Motherboard and Power Supply:
AM5 Socket with DDR5 RAM, 850w PSU
CPU Cooling:
Quiet Fan
Memory - DDR5:
32GB DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
Hard Drive Options:
Standard Drives
Primary Drive (OS):
1TB m.2 NVMe SSD
Secondary Drive (Audio):
2TB m.2 NVMe SSD #1 Sample Library Drive (Data):
4TB m.2 NVMe SSD
Additional Standard Drives:
Select
Operating System:
Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Windows USB Recovery:
No thanks
Graphic Card:
2GB Triple Display NVIDIA Graphics
FireWire Card:
None
WiFi Adapter:
None
Internal Optical Drive:
None
Keyboard & Mouse:
None
Install Software:
Yes please
Installs::
Please list any applications and drivers here you would like installed
OBEDIA Training Session:
OBEDIA - 30 min Session
OBEDIA Diamond Coverage (Warranty):
One Year Coverage
Lifetime Technical Support:
FREE!
I am thinking that there is nothing to sneeze at with the Option 2, Core Ultra 7 265k, 5.5GHz, it should be relatively future proof for the next 7-10 yrs or so …?
But if anyone wanted to spend the time to look these options over and let me know if they see any pitfalls, or can think of further questions I should ask the vendors, I’d be very grateful -
Thank you very much!
PS: Should I ask for fan details? “Chip details”? More details on the video card?
Can someone guide me please in terms of “do not get Computer component ‘XXX’ in your new build!”.
I’m not very computer savvy at all in terms of hardware, and I remember threads over the years of the sort, “Don’t get Motherboard XYZ - it doesn’t play well with Cubase at all!”.
I’m looking at getting the system described below from studiocat - are there details missing in the description that could be critical in terms of problems running Cubase Pro? Or maybe certain VSTs, etc.?
Thank you!
OPTION 2: Studiocathttp://www.studiocat.com/
StudioCat Pro Studio (15th Gen)
$2,658.00
Power Supply:
850w ultra quiet
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra CPU: Core Ultra 7 265k (5.5GHz)
RAM:
32GB DDR5/6000 (2x16GB)
OS drive:
1TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Audio drive:
2TB M.2 SSD (3500MB/Sec)
Samples drive 1:
4TB M.2 (3500MB/Sec)
Video:
Intel Graphics
Operating System:
Win11 x64 Pro
Probably no DVD/Blu-Ray
That’s one of the key reasons I buy from folks who specialize in building computers for DAWs & Video. I’m paying them a premium to research & know that stuff and design their systems accordingly.
