Game Sound Designer Looking For Monitor Recommendation For A Unique Setup

[Marshall McGee]

Hey there! I'm looking for advice from people who know much more than I do regarding monitors and tech! I'm a video game sound effect designer and I need a few very specific things out of my mac / pc setup.

 

Here's what I already have:

- A PC I will be using for sound effect design (Geforce 970)

- A 2016 Macbook Pro I will be using for mac-specific audio programs, and game platform testing

- Keyboard and mouse

 

Here's what I would love to be able to do:

- Use one large decent resolution monitor for both my PC (display port) and macbook pro (HDMI) and toggle between those inputs while using the same mouse and keyboard

- Have enough monitor space to comfortably view my digital audio workstation and the video / game window I will be designing in sync with

- Run a 144 hz monitor for occasional gaming on the PC

- Maintain low latency between the monitor and the computers, as listening to the timing of SFX with video playback is a priority

 

Budget

- 300-500 USD

 

What would he ideal setup here be? I don't know much about what adapters / cables might allow this. Is it realistic to hope for all of this? I'd love to make it as easy as possible to smooth my workflow out and switch inputs quickly / not have to think too much about it as it would make my work day a lot easier!

 

Thanks so much

 

 

[Faisal A]

If you are gaming, a GTX970 will be still fine, but if you need higher settings go with a radeon 5700 or 5700xt. For your CPU you can go with intel or AMD. For your use case a Ryzen 7 2700x or 3800x will be good

[berberries]

Not sure if 3440x1440 is high resolution enough. But if it is, get a single Asus ROG PG35VQ or PG349Q. High res, high refresh rate. You can switch between inputs on the monitor. But to push that high refresh rates at that resolution, you would probably need to upgrade to maybe an RTX 2080 Super or at least a 2070 Super.

 

As for using the same keyboard and mouse, buy a USB KVM switch to switch between your macbook and PC.

[Pickles von Brine]

Hey guys, his system is running an older series i7. The game he is really interested in is something like Wow Classic. So, beyond that nothing too crazy there. Though, having a montitor with a nice input switch would probably be best. Either that or a really nice monitor and a suggestion on a quality KVM switch. 

He currently has his machine at my shop but I am not knowledgable enough in monitors give him an idea of what to get. Once I get to the machine, I can give more details to its actual specs.

@Marshall McGee It may be we may have to upgrade your video card. Will have to see. 

 

Would something like this do?
LG 27UD58P-B

It is not 144hz but it is 4k. 

[Marshall McGee]

27 minutes ago, Lord Xeb said:

Would something like this do?
LG 27UD58P-B

Hey Nate! @Lord Xeb Thanks for chiming in

 

I have been thinking about the 4k element and I am not so sure I need it. I would definitely rather prioritize physical screen size in order to get the most I can out of having multiple windows open / working at the same time for audio. It just feels much better editing audio with a larger screen as many of the actions require close precision clicking on tiny things / my eyes aren't that great. Perhaps a 2 monitor setup is right for me after all? Hmm.

 

Also @Lord Xeb I'd certainly be open to upgrading my video card if it meant a much more workflow friendly monitor setup

 

[Pickles von Brine]

1 minute ago, Marshall McGee said:

Hey Nate! @Lord Xeb Thanks for chiming in

 

I have been thinking about the 4k element and I am not so sure I need it. I would definitely rather prioritize physical screen size in order to get the most I can out of having multiple windows open / working at the same time for audio. It just feels much better editing audio with a larger screen as many of the actions require close precision clicking on tiny things / my eyes aren't that great. Perhaps a 2 monitor setup is right for me after all? Hmm.

It may be the case. You could always go with something like a 27" 1440p monitor. Plenty of resolution but a large display you can play with. The only issue is I do not see a way to easily swithc 2 displays with a KVM...

[Marshall McGee]

1 minute ago, Lord Xeb said:

It may be the case. You could always go with something like a 27" 1440p monitor. Plenty of resolution but a large display you can play with. The only issue is I do not see a way to easily swithc 2 displays with a KVM...

@Lord Xeb ahhhh I see what you mean. Hard to switch easily with 2 monitors. Perhaps just a solid decent resolution but large monitor with multiple inputs then. 

 

[Pickles von Brine]

6 minutes ago, Marshall McGee said:

@Lord Xeb ahhhh I see what you mean. Hard to switch easily with 2 monitors. Perhaps just a solid decent resolution but large monitor with multiple inputs then. 

 

That is what I was thinking. There is a "kvm" for mouse and keyboard though. I have used one for switching my DAC from my PC to my PS4. Works like a treat! That would be your solution on that front. 

Button on the back of the monitor plus a button you press to switch your mouse and keyboard over. Not sure about other peripherals you have though....

On another note, this is for a dual monitor setup. One Mac, One PC. One mouse and one keyboard. https://symless.com/synergy

 

Maybe it is a solution to concider as well. 

[Marshall McGee]

Just now, Lord Xeb said:

other peripherals you have though....

nothing crazy! No webcam or strange audio gear to speak of. 

[Pickles von Brine]

Just now, Marshall McGee said:

nothing crazy! No webcam or strange audio gear to speak of. 

Are they all USB? https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Selector-Computers-Peripheral-One-Button/dp/B01MXXQKGM
I am just not sure if it will introduce any latency. It really shouldn't since it is all digital. "really" in quotes because I am not sure.