So let's say I got something like VOPM, back to the discussion of FL Studio and other DAWS...what would be the least taxing program on my system for this? Let's just say I only want to to MIDI programming with these VSTs, no mixing/processing/production (I'd bounce the audio out to my other computer for this).

http://www.woolyss.com/chipmusic-chiptrackers.php

http://www.woolyss.com/chipmusic-generators.php

http://www.woolyss.com/chipmusic-soundfonts.php

Also check out these awesome atari st and amiga samples: http://zacland.org/st2wav/

Here are some nice acapellas as well: http://zacland.org/accapella/zacindex.php

And check out openspc for ripping snes instrument samples from game spc files: http://www.vgmusic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic … mp;t=11269

my pc just really needs a clean install. I got it from a relative with only 256 mb ram and I have no idea what they did with it before I got it, haha. I have utorrent, chrome and LMMS running. It just takes a bit for them to start up (especially with chrome running. If not for chrome, everything runs faster) Really chrome is the only thing I have problems with, not to mention programs that need better graphics than what my integrated chip can give..

Chrome does use a lot of memory, even with no tabs open, it's got around 4-6 separate processes running.

SketchMan3 wrote:

Try 512 :\

My RAM is used up before I even boot the thing, haha :S

Really, I run XP on 512, and still have uTorrent, chrome and FL Studio running well.

wailord wrote:

all u need is famitracker and modplug babby and all the other stuff in between

my pc just really needs a clean install. I got it from a relative with only 256 mb ram and I have no idea what they did with it before I got it, haha. I have utorrent, chrome and LMMS running. It just takes a bit for them to start up (especially with chrome running. If not for chrome, everything runs faster) Really chrome is the only thing I have problems with, not to mention programs that need better graphics than what my integrated chip can give..

Bit wish wrote:

No, 768 mb isn't exactly a bunch. i got 4gb of ram an i still lag ballz.

768 on windows xp isn't horrible though, older os'es use less ram themselves (xp cant even use 4 gbs of ram, thats above its max limit)...

Anova: if the laptop motherboard supports more ram than that, i think i can hook you up with a few 1 GB sticks

The IBM THINKPAD he has maxes out at 1gb total unfortunately (2 x 512mb)

e.s.c. wrote:

768 on windows xp isn't horrible though, older os'es use less ram themselves (xp cant even use 4 gbs of ram, thats above its max limit)...

Anova: if the laptop motherboard supports more ram than that, i think i can hook you up with a few 1 GB sticks

Try 512 :\

My RAM is used up before I even boot the thing, haha :S

Really, I run XP on 512, and still have uTorrent, chrome and FL Studio running well.

if you want to get into an impulse tracker setup, a pentium 2 is great, cheap and plentiful at thrift stores (just look around for something that looks good and clean, if youre not good with older pc's take someone with you who is) with that mmx shits and get a sblive in there, sb live will cost you no more than $5 now. do not even attempt to fuck around with configuring IT with any other soundcard really, its not even worth the trouble. 400-600mhz is basically what you need to get going. also, i donno if schism tracker's mouse functionality is different at all from impulse tracker's, i never noticed any differences.. and besides, the only thing you really should be doing with a mouse in IT is drawing envelopes, you want that intuitive, sorta ergonomic hotkey-dependant setup there.

the biggest problem schism tracker has going against it is that a lot of key combinations can get 'stuck' on ya. its too buggy and they put too much effort into it for being as buggy as it is. samples sometimes will not trigger at all if they're below a certain samplerate. the thing about schism thats a really strong thing in its favor, its useful to learn the ropes of getting into a tracker like that without having to go and make a true dedi IT rig. its gonna sound different and better and after you've used schism for a minute, you're gonna say 'wow, IT is a lot...stronger...or something?' and you want to do that if you try schism and enjoy it, find a good p2 that you can throw a big hd in and a sb live in and have an enjoyable time in bringing some new life into an old box.

perhaps you might not even run into some of the problems that some others have with that program, depending on the good or bad habits you pick up along the way in tracking. i sort of think laptops are out because while you can use external keyboards (and really, tracking on a tiny keyboard gets tiring fast), you arent gonna get the ideal sound quality that you'll get with an sb live, which is pretty much the end of the line driverwise with that program, and lets be honest, thats the big draw in using the program in the first place. it sounds way better than with a regular soundblaster.

Maybe I should just give schism a chance. I always think it's a grotesque graphical nightmare. Any good tutorial resources I should hit up?

The interface for Schism / Impulse tracker is VERY keyboard centric, i'd say even more so than FastTracker or Milkytracker.  but both Schism / Impulse have a contextual help menu (usually F1) that shows you either an effect command list, or a list of keyboard shortcuts.  that should be sufficient.

Schism Tracker does also have extra mouse functionality that was originally very limited in Impulse Tracker.  IT would only really use the mouse for plotting volume/pan envelopes.

Bit wish wrote:

No, 768 mb isn't exactly a bunch. i got 4gb of ram an i still lag ballz.

768 on windows xp isn't horrible though, older os'es use less ram themselves (xp cant even use 4 gbs of ram, thats above its max limit)...

Anova: if the laptop motherboard supports more ram than that, i think i can hook you up with a few 1 GB sticks

Try 512 :\

My RAM is used up before I even boot the thing, haha :S

i'm 19