Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4

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ml0940
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2008/09/09 21:09:49 (permalink)

Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4


Hi,
I already know the obvious the answer, that is to get a new PC
It is on the horizon; however, for now,
I am using Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4, 3Ghz w 1.5GB of RAM
I am so frustrated all of the time; I want to record so badly but there always seems to be a technial snag

Does anyone happen to have a model or reference of settings that would really help me to optomize my PC
to work fairly well with Sonar 5 Producer Edition?

I would appreciate any help

Thank you,
ML
#1

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    ed97643
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:18:33 (permalink)
    Just do a web search on optimizing a PC for audio recording; you will find tons of helpful info.

    For a start, disable ANYthing that isn't absolutely needed for recording.

    Beyond that, there are a lot of minor tweaks that can be done to the OS to make it smother for audio. Do a web search (and maybe even search on this forum).

    PS, glad to hear that I'm not the only one still using an older version. Who knows, maybe not for long, though!

    Registered Cakewalk user since 1995
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    ed97643
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:20:52 (permalink)

    Registered Cakewalk user since 1995
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    ml0940
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:21:24 (permalink)

    Hi Ed
    Thank you for the suggestion
    I have done some random searches on the subject and I use Google etc for so many things
    However, I was hoping to get some actual users advice.

    I tried a search on this site but I did not seem to get the hit I was hoping for.

    What are you using an older version of? Sonar?

    ML
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    ed97643
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:22:34 (permalink)
    I still use Sonar 4 for now; see the link in post 3. Best,
    Ed
    post edited by ed97643 - 2008/09/09 21:23:17

    Registered Cakewalk user since 1995
    #5
    ml0940
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:25:46 (permalink)

    Ed
    Thank you for the link,
    I have done some of that already
    I have even turned off the XP Fisher Price appearance
    Still, the things I need to tweak are alos latency settings etc
    I need setting specific to Sonar, I think

    ML
    #6
    Mr Clean
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:30:51 (permalink)
    What soundcard are you using?
    What drivers for audio?
    Have you change your audio buffers in your soundcard settings?

    Turn off everything you do not need when using Sonar. ie: Internet Connection - Firewall - Antivirus - any other random programs you don't need running.
    #7
    ml0940
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:37:05 (permalink)

    Hi,
    I am using a Creative
    Sound Blaster
    Audigy 2 ZS sound card

    The drivers say, B400 that cuold with the sound card
    I can not get ASIO to work however, I am using WDM


    Have you change your audio buffers in your soundcard settings?


    I don't think so
    DO you have any suggestions?

    Thank you sir
    ML


    #8
    ed97643
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:40:23 (permalink)
    1. Ditch the soundblaster.

    2. Here is a helpful link from fellow forum member JonD, listed in another thread:

    http://www.xpfree.org/windows_xp_speedup.htm

    3. Again, for real, do yourself a favor and ditch the soundblaster. I'm not "dissing" your gear here at all, you will do so inevitably - so do it sooner rather than later, and get on with the joys of recording!

    Best,
    Ed

    Registered Cakewalk user since 1995
    #9
    Mr Clean
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:45:40 (permalink)
    What Ed said ^

    However in the meantime you could try downloading the ASIO4ALL driver(it's free) and try using that with the Soundblaster. It would give you a control panel with the option to change the latency buffers. Whether it will solve you problem or not I don't know as I have never used a Soundblaster.

    For audio with a program like Sonar though you really need a half decent soundcard. Even a cheap one from M-Audio will knock the Soundblaster back 15 years. You can get a pretty cheap soundcard that will solve all your problems and allow you to make music relatively uninhibited.
    #10
    ml0940
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:46:47 (permalink)

    Ed,
    Thank you for that link as well

    You are not the first to tell me to gget rid of that souncard.

    Unfortunately , back wehn I built this PC, me and my girlfriend were trying to build something decent but W/O going too nuts.


    As soon as I can afford to, I will gettign a new PC and a new sound card.

    Plus, I will dp more research next time.

    Still, I have to work with what I have.

    So days I really feel like going out and buying a digital 4/8 track recorder and ditching the pc recording.

    So frustrating! :(
    #11
    ml0940
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    RE: Optimizing Sonar 5 Producer Edition with a P4 2008/09/09 21:51:33 (permalink)

    Ed,
    Thank you!
    I just downloaded it!
    I will go try it and let you know how it works

    So, you think that it is more my sound card then the PC system resources?

    Mark
    #12
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