Rain Recording has introduced the LiveBook mobile audio workstation. Due to its low power consumption components and quadruple-vented convection design, the LiveBook is built to handle the demands of audio recording and mixing, even in less-than-optimal environments. The LiveBook base model features a Pentium M processor with Centrino Technology, 1 Gig of RAM, 4 USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port, and a CD-RW/DVD combo drive.
The LiveBook is designed to handle sustained levels of intense hard drive and CPU utilization of 90%. Rain President Bill Paschick explained: “The system demands of multi-track audio production far exceed those of typical office and graphics applications for which most generic laptops were designed. The risk of overheating is compounded by the inferior conditions of typical mobile environments. Particularly with audio production, system failure carries a very high cost. By using properly balanced, low power components and generous convection cooling, the LiveBook provides the best performance possible while making stability a priority.”
The modularized component design offers generous airflow cooling through the LiveBook’s four vents, and also makes field serviceability a straightforward process. LiveBook components such as the hard drive, memory, keyboard, and CPU are easily user-replaceable. Bill Paschick commented: “Warranties are great, but when you need a system fixed in two hours, the modular nature of the LiveBook makes it possible to replace key components with readily available parts so that you can make it through a gig.”
The LiveBook’s 15.4″ widescreen offers almost as much screen space as a 17″ screen while allowing much better portability. The internal hard drive boasts an 8 meg buffer—four times the amount of most generic laptops, and a more important factor than just spindle speed in preventing audio engine bottlenecks that cause dropouts, stops, or lock-ups. Other features include wireless b/g, and a built-in 5-in-1 media card drive. To increase hard drive versatility, Rain also offers the Storm Drive Pocket external drive, which provides the same LiveBook hard drive performance in a shock- mounted USB 2.0/FireWire enclosure.
About Rain Recording
Rain Recording builds PC systems and peripherals optimized for high-performance audio applications, including recording, mixing, mastering, and DJ production and performance.
