Picksalot
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Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
The following information may be useful to those with questions about using multiple hard drives with Sonar 8.5 Pro to optimize performance. And, in particular, where to install VST Instruments, and their sample files (libraries). After searching the forum, I found a couple of posts that recommended 3 internal hard drives as the best configuration: Drive 1. System files (i.e. OS, Programs - Including Sonar) Drive 2. Audio files (i.e. Projects, data files, etc.) Drive 3. Sample libraries I contacted Tech Support by email and this is what they said: "We generally recommend that you install SONAR to all of its default locations. However, the SONAR installer will allow you to install certain content to the location of your choice. If you can manage to have SONAR and all of it's contents (with only your Project Files folder on a separate driver) installed to your C drive, this seems to be the safest install. Note: Do not move content to another location after installation is complete. Please keep all installed materials in the location that they were originally installed to for best performance." I called Tech Support to get a more specific answer, and this is what they said: The best arrangement is to put the VST "instruments" on the C: drive (i.e. the drive where Sonar is installed), and their sample files on a different drive. Though, the difference in performance would be minimal.
It is best not to move the sample files manually from one drive to another, as the file locations are written to the registry, and that could get messed up. It is best to uninstall. Then, during re-installation, the sample files can be installed on a separate drive. Hope this helps members with similar questions. 
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slartabartfast
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/18 17:31:06
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The best arrangement is to put the VST "instruments" on the C: drive (i.e. the drive where Sonar is installed), and their sample files on a different drive. Though, the difference in performance would be minimal. I will not comment on the performance issue, it is probably application specific as some sampling applications stream directly from the hard drive and others load into memory first, and some projects use many many samples at once. One downside of loading huge sample libraries on the C: partition is that if you use drive imaging software like TrueImage (or the Win 7 built in app) to make a working backup of your installation, you can end up with a file so big you have no good place to keep it.
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strikinglyhandsome1
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/18 17:38:00
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I put the programme parts on the c:drive, the audio on another and the samples on another. It isn't complicted and can be done with virtually any plug-in you get.
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stratman70
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/18 19:37:22
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strikinglyhandsome1
I put the programme parts on the c:drive, the audio on another and the samples on another. It isn't complicted and can be done with virtually any plug-in you get.
Ditti on that!
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jm24
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/19 12:50:56
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3 disks here:
Create the folders before install:
C:\Sonar8
C:\AudioCommon all shared content: plugs,... I want quick access
C:\AudioPrograms all other audio programs
D:\Samples
D:\Tutorials for all programs
E:\AudioProjects\SonarProjects
Cannot stop the stupidity of putting the tutorials,.. into the documents folder. This is not stuff I want to backup regularly. It should NOT be put in the documents folder. The folder cannot be deleted. So, I copied all the stuff to the tutorials folder and put a shortcut to it in the documents folder.
J
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jm24
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/19 13:36:12
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Also:
C:\AudioCommon during initial install of Sonar point to this folder and all the subfolders will be created.
Point Dimension,... to the C:\AudioCommon\VSTshared folder
And put Dimension,... into C:\AudioPrograms
Create this folder: C:\AudioCommon\VSTother for all non-sonar stuff
J
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ew
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/19 15:27:25
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strikinglyhandsome1
I put the programme parts on the c:drive, the audio on another and the samples on another. It isn't complicted and can be done with virtually any plug-in you get.
The only things on my C:\drive are Windows and things that won't install to anywhere else. I run four drives on my system; C:\- Windows D:\- non-music apps and archives E:\- music apps and plugins F:\- samples Why so many? My system isn't spending all that time going back and forth from one section of a drive to another for one. Space is another- all my drives are at least 50% free, with my OS drive being 80% free. This lends to quick defragging. Also, if my system goes down and I need to wipe and reinstall, my music stuff is still intact. I'll need to reinstall most of it; true. However, everything's still intact until I go and do that- it's saved me more than once having all that stuff not being touched by a reformat. ew
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Picksalot
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/21 00:00:55
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Thanks for sharing your views. I have one other question. On a system with only 2 SATA hard drives, where should virtual instruments and their sample libraries be installed? Which drive would provide for a better CPU performance during recording, and playback? Currently, the OS, Sonar 8.5, all virtual instruments and their sample libraries are installed on my C: drive. All my projects are saved to the F: drive.
post edited by Picksalot - 2010/08/21 18:37:09
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ivanSC
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/22 09:16:52
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(grin) the fastest drive!
I have a 500gig SATA 2 primary with all my applications and windows install on it.
ALL project files, samples and audio recordings are on the second drive.
Mostly because it is a 1TB FAST SATA 3 drive, whereas the primary is just a regular 7200rpm With an 8mb cache as opposed to the 16 mb cache on the SATA 3
I have no idea what difference this is making but since the system now goes like sh1t off a shovel, I am not too bothered.
My latency etc now are completely ignorable in all circumstances and as you can tell I am a happy bunny.
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Fog
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/22 09:55:06
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Picksalot
Thanks for sharing your views.
I have one other question.
On a system with only 2 SATA hard drives, where should virtual instruments and their sample libraries be installed?
depends on the VST / sample libs.. IF you can adjust the drive location.. most you can put them on the 2nd+ drive.. the VST-i can sit happily on the OS drive as it's normally not a big file..
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garrigus
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/22 14:25:00
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Picksalot
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/23 02:46:04
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garrigus
.... But if they are streamed from disk, then they should be put onto their own separate drive.
Scott
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I don't understand that sentence. If I were streaming samples from a library on a disk, wouldn't that mean that the disk had to be on it's own separate drive, i.e. the DVD/CD drive? Can you clarify what you wrote?
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garrigus
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/23 09:45:16
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Picksalot
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/23 16:38:28
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garrigus
Sorry, I didn't word that correctly... when I said streamed from disk, I meant streamed from the hard drive. You can't leave them on the CD/DVD. You need to install the libraries to a hard drive before you can use them.
Scott
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Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/
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Thanks for clarifying that - So, samples should be streamed from libraries on their own separate hard drive. On a 2-drive system, that's not going to be possible if Sonar is on one drive, and Projects are saved to the other drive. Both seem like bad choices for the libraries. The C: drive is bad because that's where the Sonar program, and software instruments are located and running. The F: drive is bad because that's where the Sonar Projects are being played from and saved to. That is what I have, and is the source of my confusion where to put the sample libraries. So, for users like me that have only two drives, which drive would be the best location for the libraries? I have the libraries for Beatscape, Dimension Pro, Rapture - Full, Guitar Rig 3 LE, etc. currently all installed on my C: drive in the first of 2 partitions. I could move the libraries to the second partition, but I don't think that would make any difference in the performance. My understanding is that partitions are used for things like security, organization and house keeping, but don't have an effect on performance. Please correct me if that is incorrect. If it is best that I move the libraries to a different partition or to a new hard drive, is there a safe way to move them without having to uninstall the software instruments and their libraries first? Directions would be much appreciated. I'd like to make extensive use of Dimension Pro, the Step Sequencer, Matrix View, while recording a live instrument. I'm running Windows XP Pro - 32-bit, SP3, 3.0 GHz CPU, 2 Gig RAM, 2 SATA II HDs, so I'm up against some system limitations. I'm looking at getting a couple more Gigs of RAM, and the other option is a 3rd SATA drive. Any advice on how to improve performance, taking into account my system, is welcome. I just recently upgraded to Sonar Pro 8.5.3
post edited by Picksalot - 2010/08/23 16:58:19
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garrigus
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/23 17:45:40
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Picksalot
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/23 18:51:43
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garrigus
All of the synths that you mentioned load their samples into memory so you can just leave them where they are...
Scott
Good to know. Thanks Scott! I think I shall look into increasing my RAM to 4 Gigs.
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Shane_B.
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Re:Installing Sonar 8.5 Pro and Using Multiple Hard Drives
2010/08/24 10:52:31
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Picksalot
I'd like to make extensive use of Dimension Pro, the Step Sequencer, Matrix View, while recording a live instrument.
I'm running Windows XP Pro - 32-bit, SP3, 3.0 GHz CPU, 2 Gig RAM, 2 SATA II HDs, so I'm up against some system limitations.
I'm looking at getting a couple more Gigs of RAM, and the other option is a 3rd SATA drive.
Any advice on how to improve performance, taking into account my system, is welcome.
I just recently upgraded to Sonar Pro 8.5.3
Hi Picksalot, It sounds like you are running an identical system to what I had before I upgraded about a year ago. I don't really think you're up against system limitations yet unless you're doing video. I have to be honest, I regret upgrading now. Currently my *new* system is ripped apart awaiting replacement RAM so I've been using my *old* system and I've been asking myself, "Why did I upgrade again?" :) I was using a true Intel Motherboard and CPU, not an Asus, Gigabyte, or Heaven forbid a Soyo. :) One thing to make sure you check on regularly are the BIOS updates and chipset updates for your Mobo from the manufacturer, not the Windows Update site. I saw significant USB performance improvements with the last Intel chipset update for my old mobo. When I say the last one, it was 3 years ago. :) Good luck. Shane Edit: I wanted to add that I read there is no real improvement from going to a 5000 RPM to 7200 RPM SATA drive. So if you can save some money by getting a 5000 RPM drive I would do that. Do a search on the net, there's all kinds of info on the subject.
post edited by Shane_B. - 2010/08/24 10:57:56
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