Computer for Sonar X1

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lucky dog
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2012/09/24 00:37:47 (permalink)

Computer for Sonar X1

Hello everyone,
 
I just purchased  Sonar X1.
Now I'm looking around for a laptop to run it on.
Is this computer powerful enough?
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+17.3%26%2334%3B+Laptop+-+4GB+Memory+-+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Pewter/5769124.p?id=1218692934704&skuId=5769124&st=hp laptop&cp=1&lp=2
 
 
Thanks.
 
 
#1

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    Fog
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/24 00:47:34 (permalink)
    not a fan of AMD chips, used to be.. so wouldn't go for it personally. with my laptop did 2 things, doubled the memory and replaced the hard drive for a bigger 1. if your using samples or libs.. you notice they soon eat up the drive (komplete is 1 that comes to mind)

    it's tricky to know what "powerful" it all depends on what you do.. e.g. some synths eat a cpu for breakfast.. where as recording of a live instrument is fine.. but start loading up with fx..

    remember to also budget / buy a decent enough sound card (asio based if possible) as the onboard don't normally cut it.

    #2
    Linear Phase
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/24 01:12:56 (permalink)
    "500GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
    Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times. HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection helps keep your data safe."


    For audio/music production; you really want a hard disk speed of 7200rpm.   lots of folk say, "5400rpm is just fine."

    However..  if you have used a 5400rpm hard disk for music production, than you know the difference is so obvious..  omg..  You can tell

    Seroiusly..  You can totally tell the diff..  Its like the diff between driving an accord, and an bmw..  You can see an obvious difference between 5400 and 7200

    too many lasers...






    Sonar = audio editing ninja of a music software!

    #3
    digimidi
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/24 01:21:13 (permalink)
    If you can afford more, then try and get a model with a 7200 rpm hard drive.  Also, it is my preference to go with an Intel rather than AMD, preferably an I5 or I7 processor.  Also, 500 GB is not to great a size since, as it has been pointed out, it is the only system drive (as opposed to usb drives) that has to hold all of the programs, data, loops, soft synths, etc.).  However, I'm guessing that $ is the issue.  I'm just expressing my thoughts.  Also, 8 GB of RAM is nice as a minimum...

    I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left... 
    http://daveowenmusic.com/
    http://fabulous52s.com/
    https://soundcloud.com/daveowenmusic

    Sonar Platinum Edition/Cakewalk by BandLab: Dell 8700 XPS i7 16GB RAM, Cyberpower laptop w/8GB RAM/i7/2GB NVidia card/Tascam US1641/Focusrite 18i6/Melodyne Studio 4/Waves Plugs (a lot)/Garritan/EWQL Symphony Silver & Fab 4 and a bunch of other stuff. Studio One 3/Magix Samplitude Pro X3 Suite/Mixcraft 8 Pro/Reaper/Acid Pro 8
    #4
    twistofate
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/25 07:53:50 (permalink)
    Hey Hondas drive nice also :)

    and they cost about as much as a BMW!

    Win7 64bit AMD quad core a6-3620 8GB DDR3 1TB HD Akai MPK controller Digitech GNX4 guitar workstation/interface M-Audio BX8a monitors MicroKorg Ibanez guitars X2 and every xpansion
    #5
    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/25 08:10:03 (permalink)
    While most off the shelf computers coupled with a good USB interface will do a decent job running X1.... there are a few things you should look for in a laptop...

    One of those things is definitely a 7200rpm hard drive. 

    500 G is OK.... it's better than the 320G drive that is in my stock Dell..... but at the time... it was pretty big. You can always add a USB external drive for back up and storage.  I bought and ran a 500G external to hold the projects and my samples and they ran just fine from there. 99% of it gets loaded into RAM and runs from there which is much faster. Like money, you can never have enough RAM. 

    For the price though, an off the shelf lappy is hard to beat. Get the faster drive and enjoy. For a home studio started PC, that will work fine. If you start getting more into recording and serious about it, you can build or buy a nice desktop screamer to run the DAW. 

    My website & music: www.herbhartley.com

    MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW   
    Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface


    BMI/NSAI

    "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer " 
    #6
    chuckebaby
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    Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/25 08:36:08 (permalink)
    AMD chips work fine,ive tested them right next to the intel I-3 & I-5 & I-7 
    im surprised noones posted the system requirments though,it would solve alot of questions for the OP:

    Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32-bit)/Vista Service Pack 2 (32- or 64-bit)/Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit)* Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 2.67 GHz/AMD Phenom Quad Core 9750 2.4 Ghz 2 GB RAM 1280x800 minimum screen resolution 4.5GB for minimal installation, 15GB for complete installation SONAR on DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD+/-R or DVD+/-RW Drive SONAR download: Broadband or better internet connection for download Cakewalk Publisher requires available web server space with FTP access
      * Windows XP Media Center and Windows XP 64-bit are not officially supported.
       
       
       
      things of interest:

      X1 Producer Updates

      SONAR X1d Update
      SONAR X1c Update
      SONAR X1b Update
      SONAR X1a Update
      PC4K S-Type Expander/Gate & Channel Compressor version 1.0.1
      ProChannel Concrete Limiter version 1.0.1
      SONAR X1 Documentation
      SONAR X1 Production Suite SoundCloud update
      PC4K S-Type Expander/Gate Documentation
      EUCON Control Surface Support for SONAR X1
      SONAR Web Trial

      Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
      Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
      Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
         
      #7
      Splat
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      Re:Computer for Sonar X1 2012/09/25 09:08:20 (permalink)
      Why didn't you get X2? Are you entitled to a free upgrade?

      Sell by date at 9000 posts. Do not feed.
      @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

      Sonar Platinum(64 bit),Win 8.1(64 bit),Saffire Pro 40(Firewire),Mix Control = 3.4,Firewire=VIA,Dell Studio XPS 8100(Intel Core i7 CPU 2.93 Ghz/16 Gb),4 x Seagate ST31500341AS (mirrored),GeForce GTX 460,Yamaha DGX-505 keyboard,Roland A-300PRO,Roland SPD-30 V2,FD-8,Triggera Krigg,Shure SM7B,Yamaha HS5.Maschine Studio+Komplete 9 Ultimate+Kontrol Z1.Addictive Keys,Izotope Nectar elements,Overloud Bundle,Geist.Acronis True Image 2014.
      #8
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