Multiple PCs, One master

Does anyone know how to set up multiple PC's, where 1 master pc running Sonar is networked with several other "slaves" which will run RAM & CPU hog VSTi's (such as EWQL Play)?  

Ideally, the audio would all come back to sonar, as though the VSTis were running locally...
How does Sonar interact with plugin instruments over a network, and make the appropriate latency compensations?

What do you do on the remote systems; run the VSTi's in "stand alone" mode?

Is there a way to get the VSTi screens to show up on the master PC (to edit params etc without using a KVM switch) but have the program and sample libraries run off board on other pcs?

Is there a way to accomplish this via ethernet rather than via midi & audio connections?


Any knowledge is appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe

Check out Vienna Ensemble Pro. I've been using this for a couple years for hosting large orchestral sample libraries on remote computers. It works well and keeps getting better.

For remote access to the machines I'm using Radmin.

I appreciate the help.  

I find it so funny (and almost predictable in the forum) when people say things like, "why are you doing that.  you don't need to."  I wish it were true.  But I am running a 3.3 GHz Core i7 with 32 GB on Windows 7 x64 and the work I am doing swamps it.   Lots of samples, soft synths, lots of processing, video running, all kinds of digital mayhem.  When you've got a full orchestra in 24 bits with tons of articulations and you're mixing multiple mic positions on most instruments, along with all kinds of synths and effects, resources go impressively fast...  So please, don't just sit there and say "don't do that any more, you don't need to."  Let me choose my pain!  And feel free to offer knowledge, other than the fact that you think I'm stupid or crazy.  :)

I'll look into Vienna Ensemble Pro and Radmin.  Thanks.  Others?

> I find it so funny (and almost predictable in the forum) when people say things like, "why are you doing that. you don't need to."

That's generally down to not giving background scenario on the first post. People poke holes and this forces the original poster to state their full scenario rather than just their technical demands, as what has happened in your situation, and this is quite legit in my view. It's always useful to know what you are doing (as we found out later).

Bristol_Jonesey


This thing consumes approx 9Gb of RAM, so with the utmost respect, I suggest you start looking to see why your system is bogging down doing this sort of work & mine is not.

Thanks for a very important message! Your system specs seemed very similar to mine and the processing load did also. I am using the same sample library (EWQLSO Plat+) the same way, with a few other  libraries (EWQL Symphonic Choirs, Voices of Passion, etc.) and a few synths. Based on your message, I thought there is no way that my system should need to "outsource work" to other PC's... So, I did some snooping around... I was shocked to find that I was only running on 8GB of RAM. Somehow I didn't notice that. It turns out that one of my kids "borrowed" 3 of the RAM modules about a week ago (for his gaming system) around the time I set up the template for my current project, and I've been unwittingly limping along with a crippled machine. Thanks for the inspiration to investigate... I certainly feel like an idiot now!


BJ: As a benchmark, I'm curious as to how long it takes your template to load, what are the specs of the drive you have the EWQLSO samples on, and what is the interface (eSATA, SATA, or other)? Thanks!


Incidentally, I looked into the Vienna Ensemble Pro offering and it does look like an excellent way to set up multiple PC's. With today's system performance it seems this type of thing may go the way of the buggy whip.


And hockeyjx, your initial gut reaction was spot on.


Thanks all!

Looking at your equipment specs,
"One very large...[REMOVED]"
I hope it wasn't removed by force!

;)

What, Hans Zimmer has only one PC for his entire 12-studio facility?... I think not. Most big composers run massive servers/processor setups. Fact.

I actually run three computers and I like the setup a lot. ( 2 PC's and a Mac laptop) I use one main PC as the central device and the other two are usually being virtual synths. On the main computer I am running Studio One and Sonar and various other things like FL Studio. On the Mac I have Pro Tools, Logic and Reason. On the other PC I have an older version of Logic but use it mainly as a VST.

I can get all three working on the same page but one of the advantages of this type of arrangement is that you can also use them all separately which is a bonus and it is in this mode that a single computer won't compete.

My main controllers are feeding all three which means I can record on any of them. I use midi to communicate you don't need Radmin or anything like that. I have midi interfaces connected to all the machines and this allows you to still use one main machine and talk to the other two very easily. The speed of midi is easily fast enough to do this and without any latency.

Audio wise I have got analog and digital signals passing between the main machine and the other two in both directions. The latency depends on the interfaces you are using. With the Mac laptop I have got an Mbox 2 mini and it can be set as low as 32 samples so it is fast. My main machine has an EMU interface and runs the PatchMix software. This handles all the incoming and outgoing audio very well and without issue. 

Although I can get all three sequencers to run in sync I tend not to do that and keep the whole musical arrangement on one machine. it is much easier that way. If the others are being VST's all you have to do is keep track of what synths and presets you were using at the time. It is very possible to recall very complex mixes with ease and accuracy.

The Mac laptop is also great for running tutorials and things like Groove 3 videos while you are working on your main computer.

Nice rig!