Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System?

Author
dlesaux
Max Output Level: -70 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1034
  • Joined: 2009/09/13 09:25:18
  • Status: offline
2013/08/09 15:22:53 (permalink)

Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System?

Hello All!
 
The subject line says it all! Does a single instance of a 32 bit VST adversely impact performance on a 64 bit system? Does it limit my RAM size, slow down processor speed, suck up system resources? I know there are many forum members out there much smarter than me who know the answer to this question so I apologize for my ignorance and thank you in advance for enlightening me!

Peace!
Daniel

Sonar Platinum - 2017.10 and PreSonus Studio One 3.5.5
Windows 10 64 bit
Studiocat Skylake Desktop PC with Intel i7 6700k processor @ 4.20 GHz / 16G RAM 
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface and Cakewalk UM-2G Midi Interface

Check out my website
#1

10 Replies Related Threads

    Glyn Barnes
    Max Output Level: -0.3 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7564
    • Joined: 2009/06/10 05:12:31
    • Location: A Stone's Throw from the Line
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 15:32:35 (permalink)
    The only potential issue is stability. Bridged plugins can be temperamental. In my experience problems are most likely to occur with VSTi's that load samples or really old, often free plug ins. Most plug work without issues. I you get "teleport server" error messages you may have found one thats problematic.
     
     

    Intel i7 3770K @4.4GHz, 32GB RAM, 240GB SSD System disk, 2 x 2TB and 1 x 1TB (with SSD Cache) HDD. Windows 10,  Sonar Platinum. Roland Quad Capture. 
    Music - Switchwater on Soundclick
    Music - Goldry Bluszco on Soundcloud
    #2
    SuperG
    Max Output Level: -63 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1371
    • Joined: 2012/10/19 16:09:18
    • Location: Edgewood, NM
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 16:16:45 (permalink)
    Well, that's the downside.
     
    I guess you could say that, 32-bit VSTs that are well behaved in a 32 bit host are likely to work fine under a 64-bit host. However, 32-bit VSTs that are cranky under a 32-bit host are likely to be a disaster under a 64-bit host.

    laudem Deo
    #3
    Fog
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 12302
    • Joined: 2008/02/27 21:53:35
    • Location: UK
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 17:09:57 (permalink)
    it's just the extra layer (bridge) that is the main thing..most synths etc won't use the extra memory 64 bit affords them.
     
    there are obvious things where it's an advantage .e.g. samplers with large sample libraries can use over 4gb memory.
     
    even in 32 bit mode, it can use a maximum of 4gb PER vst instance, assuming the memory is available. (If I'm remembering that correctly)
     
     
    #4
    Spencer
    Max Output Level: -85 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 299
    • Joined: 2005/06/21 00:12:35
    • Location: Montréal, QC
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 17:45:27 (permalink)
    to me the main drawback or annoyance is the spacebar not working when focus is on a 32 bit wrapped plug-in.
    #5
    melmyers
    Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 157
    • Joined: 2008/08/11 13:08:29
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 18:04:13 (permalink)
    It probably depends on the particular 32 bit VST. Most work fine for me, but I sometimes have glitches when using SampleTank, which is only 32 bit at the moment.

    Mel Myers
    Producer/Songwriter/Voiceover Talent
    Sonar Platinum 64-bit/Intel Quad Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz 16GB RAM/LGA1155 Motherboard/Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit /Focusrite 18i20/Cakewalk A-800 Pro/UAD-2 Quad PCIe/& a black and white Pomeranian who thinks he's the boss
    #6
    bitflipper
    01100010 01101001 01110100 01100110 01101100 01101
    • Total Posts : 26036
    • Joined: 2006/09/17 11:23:23
    • Location: Everett, WA USA
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/09 18:59:01 (permalink)
    dlesaux
    Does a single instance of a 32 bit VST adversely impact performance on a 64 bit system? 



    For all practical purposes, no.
     
    dlesaux
    Does it limit my RAM size, slow down processor speed, suck up system resources? 

     
    Each 32-bit plugin will be limited to <2GB RAM, but that won't affect the overall project or other plugins. Only sample players need more than that. Software synthesizers and bread 'n butter DSP effects (compressors, reverbs, equalizers, etc.) don't.
     
    It will not cause a measurable increase in CPU or other resources. Sometimes, 32-bit versions can be slightly more CPU-efficient. Occasionally, the 64-bit version performs slightly better. The operative word being "slight".
     
    Most important, 32-bit plugins sound exactly the same as their 64-bit equivalents, contrary to some uninformed opinions previously expressed on this forum.
     


    All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

    My Stuff
    #7
    Goddard
    Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 338
    • Joined: 2012/07/21 11:39:11
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/10 14:03:19 (permalink)
    If you are using X2 Producer 64-bit, see "BitBridge Server Configuration" here regarding RAM usage:
     
    http://www.cakewalk.com/D...;Req=Dialogs2.064.html
    #8
    Loptec
    Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 948
    • Joined: 2011/02/07 13:29:01
    • Location: Sweden
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/10 15:38:26 (permalink)
    Spencer
    to me the main drawback or annoyance is the spacebar not working when focus is on a 32 bit wrapped plug-in.




    this is the biggest issue for me too. it's because the 32bit plug-ins runs as separate processes and aren't as "integrated" with sonar as the 64bit plug-ins are. (you need to be "in" sonar to tell Sonar to play). because of this you also cannot dock a 32bit plug-in in the multi dock or use x-ray on it

    SAMUEL LIDSTRÖM

    DAW: Sonar Platinum (64bit) with Melodyne Studio - Controllers: Roland VS-700C, Cakewalk A-500 Pro, Yamaha P90
    Desktop Audio Interface: RME HDSPe RayDAT - Laptop Audio Interface: RME Babyface Pro

    #9
    bapu
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 86000
    • Joined: 2006/11/25 21:23:28
    • Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/10 16:37:44 (permalink)
    melmyers
    It probably depends on the particular 32 bit VST. Most work fine for me, but I sometimes have glitches when using SampleTank, which is only 32 bit at the moment.


    LMFAO.... "at the moment".
     
    IKObi has been promising ST3 for over two years now (well, saying it's in the works).
     
    In the software forum just the other day he said he just saw the "instrument list" and claims that's how close it is.
    (like an instrument list is indicative of far along the software development is????!!!????)
    #10
    tunekicker
    Max Output Level: -65 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1261
    • Joined: 2005/10/28 14:39:50
    • Location: Grand Junction, CO
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is There Any Overall Negative Impact When Using a 32 Bit VST on a 64 Bit System? 2013/08/12 11:36:37 (permalink)
    I run Sonar X2 x64, and ironically, some plugins work better for me in 32-bit than in 64-bit.

    Rapture, for instance. The 64-bit version crashes Sonar consistently. The 32-bit version works fine.

    It's definitely best to have a 64-bit OS and DAW. But from an instrument perspective, 64-bit is only important if the 32-bit version proves unstable, or if that instrument itself uses a lot of samples. 64-bit is also important for ReWire since it can be used to tie full sequences from Reason or Ableton into Sonar.
    #11
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1