Daw build

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

I though I share my build up of a DAW.
First off, I just got the upgrade to the version of Sonar I am using now, Producer 4. The upgrade is 8.5. I am very use to Sonar and I know, this version will be a challenge but not as much as switching to something else. I have reviewed many others, like cubase and protools even Logic, in the past. I am a Sonar user.
Going past that, I am a Intel person with a os preference of MS. No reason to change now.
After looking at what I have to spend, I decided to look close at using a AMD cpu, the hex core 1090t.
I am also looking close at using a Asus MB, a M4A78T-E. Thinking about 8 Gb ram with the option of adding 4 more Gb later if need be.
I have a video editing system now, I plan on keeping my old Daw working too. In a sense I would have 3 DAWS in the studio, a xp box that runs the softsynths has cubase on it already. The video editing system is in another office in the studio. Just for reference, it's a duel quad core type. Duel monitor etc.
I do have a need to synch up video and it would be nice for me to do that in the studio and not in the other office. Hence the reason behind the Main Board.
Cost being a major part why I am going AMD and why the other parts chosen.
I am open to other suggestions or reasons not to use these or why use these. I think it would help others who are also pondering a DAW or build as well as point out to me, things I did not consider.

OS windows 7, 64bit.

Dale

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

The above is the system. This part is the sound card or recording part.
My method of recording, which is a big consideration in what I would use, uses a analog mixer, tube preamps, patch boxes that patch in and out effects, analog filters and sub mixers for all the synths.
I have a MOTU 24i and a presonus firebox. I seldom use more than 2 in recording. The mixers and such mix the rest. When I do bring in more than 2 at once to record, it seldom goes higher than 6 channels in. Example, 1 from the last mixer with all effects in, clean channels from the synths and mikes from the mains. Yea I might mix all that down for the ambience.

I would use firewire not usb in. USB in works fine for midi. I do not think it works well for audio past 2 channels. Maybe the new version 3 but 2, nope. I toyed with that already. Did not think it all that great for how I work.

I am use to Presonus firebox. I use that now on the xp system for the softsynths. It works great. FM8 for example, hard to tell the real deal from the software.

So I would use a Presonus FireStudio Project or Firestudio Tube. I am leaning toward the Tube as that will free me up on several patches into what I call the matrix.

Another thing to keep in mind before you tell me how off I am or recommend other products is I do believe I get a more truer sound from digital after I run the sound into a analog filter and or set of tube preamps. I call that rounding off the squares (in reference to the digital wave).

Dale

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

wow, I was expecting some comments or suggestions ...

I'll drop back in a few days to see, else I guess this post should just be removed ...

Dale

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:22 pm Post subject:

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

http://select.sweetwater.com/2009/09/hands-on-universal-audio-uad-2/
close up of those ...
yep, I saw them at winter NAMM, cool items and pricey
Any luck, this year I will win one ... Laughing

RME is another great dsp unit too ...

For the type of material being recorded here, I am not sure I would ever use what the UAD offers. RME is reach too. The gem of this is, I can always add, that is the main board holds the expansion to do so.

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject:

I´ve been using the UAD cards for quite some years now and the UAD-2 is a great improvement in DSP power. The main point is of course the brilliant plugins. I wouldn´t really call the UAD-DSP soup pricey. You do get access to a silly lot of soundshaping tools. That is always a good thing.

The RME gear is also quite brilliant. As you probably know already I`m very fond of the FW 800.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

FW 800, that would be the one I would go with if I was going RME.

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject:

It is good and versatile. The software is excellent too. That being said, I´m sure you can get less expensive interfaces that will work well for you. I reckon that Presonus interface is just fine.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

I use the firebox now as mainly output for the xp box that does most of the softsynths. I record to it only when I need to go higher that 48KHz at 24 bits.

It has been very good in that use. I am tempted just to go that route with the new DAW too.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

I am going to post the build up on www.alienearmusic.com .. I am expecting it to be in a few parts as time/funds permit. I decided on making it into a rack case.

Dale

bachus · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 5:48 am Post subject:

I just finished a similar build -- AMD Ph II X6 1090T 3.2GHz, 8 GB.

It's pretty good except for the cooling. I opted for the Corsair H70 sealed water cooler. It works great, but cleaning it is going to be a %&$#* Sad

I may have to take ever thing out of the case and mod it to make regular cleaning easy. Anyway, good luck with yours.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

what case did you use?

bachus · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133100

MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128442

The case is a bit tasteless but it was the only one that appeared fit all my requirements. I got a 0+1 RAID plus 3 other HDs

Another thing about the H70 cooler, it's loud. But for the next two years I'll be coding rather than making music. So I'll worry about that later.

I'd be more enthusiastic about the system except that it's replacing a dual quad core Xeon system with 32 gig of ram which I lost due to my own carelessness. Russian Roulette

and my office re-do ate my budget for this year. So it goes.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

Power supply on the bottom? I watch this close. I am thinking a rack mount case or a small tower. I use stealth fans made by vortec, which are very quite and move air.

Gigabyte is a good company too. I used them in many projects in the past for customers and my own use. I do not remember the exact model but I did review one from Gigabyte before I settled on the Asus.

Dale

bachus · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

CPU wise, the Intel i7 950 and the AMD 1090 now is about $50.00 US difference. And its a tad faster too. Back looking close at this as it is key to what main board to use, memory, case and video.

Dale

bachus · Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject:

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

This chart shows the Intel faster. But if I had the funds to do two build ups, I would love to compare apples to apples. I did read there is a bug in Sonar such that the first core is where the most process occur. It is not spread out so well. Programming? or how the hardware being used shoves xyz ... Daw is a special animal. If I could, I would build up two and do a compare not just on specs like I show in this link but something DAW wise. Then we would know.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

bachus · Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject:

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

multi-thread flaw
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/545831-sonar-x1-3.html
but
like anything else, it's a forum with all kinds of people and views ..
beware ...
however there are some screen shots on this ...
I think if I was really seeking the real deal, I would contact the more intelligent of the posts.

One of the regulars there seems a tad "overzealous".

Please send me a post back what your take on it is and if you can see this too or it makes sense etc, I am interested to read your view.

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

Here is another thread on AMD/INTEL with audio in mind.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/551920-amd-vs-intel.html

some interesting remarks there ...

I had hit all of these when I first was trying to determine what the build would be. needless to say, it does get into sticky areas lacking facts ...

BobTheDog · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:58 am Post subject:

Audio benchmarks in Sound On Sound magazine always have intel performing better than AMD.

bachus · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject:

dalekay · Joined: Nov 16, 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Lancaster CA

$ for $ 100% with you. There have been times when it was sensible to buy one over the other.

In this case, if not amd and that board, then intel + about $60 just for the CPU. I am still looking but also that means a external graphic card to do the video as it is not built in the intel boards. Intel boards that are equal (in my mind anyway) are more. So in the end, going intel for that little speed increase might cost ~ $250 more? or so.

I have to decide what is the end result desired over costs. I can always wait till I recycle more precious metals. Wink

Once in hand, I am stuck with what I got. If like the last time, that would be about 10 years. Which I am still using right now. Asus board and intel at that. Sometimes the devil you know ... Rolling Eyes

Dale