dmbaer
Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2585
- Joined: 2008/08/04 20:10:22
- Location: Concord CA
- Status: offline
Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
Subject line says it all. When upgrading to Win 10 (from Win 7 Home Premium in my case), I can't see anything in Pro that justifies the extra expense, but I wanted to see if anyone else has found some reason why Pro should be preferred.
Any suggestions about the lowest-cost upgrade strategy would also be appreciated.
I see that MS is officially dropping support for Win 7 in about 17 months, so I guess I finally (and reluctantly) need to start planning for an upgrade. It's really annoying to have to fix something that ain't broke!
|
JonD
Max Output Level: -39 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3617
- Joined: 2003/12/09 11:09:10
- Location: East of Santa Monica
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/27 21:19:08
(permalink)
dmbaer
Subject line says it all. When upgrading to Win 10 (from Win 7 Home Premium in my case), I can't see anything in Pro that justifies the extra expense, but I wanted to see if anyone else has found some reason why Pro should be preferred.
Any suggestions about the lowest-cost upgrade strategy would also be appreciated.
I see that MS is officially dropping support for Win 7 in about 17 months, so I guess I finally (and reluctantly) need to start planning for an upgrade. It's really annoying to have to fix something that ain't broke!
If you must go to Win 10 Pro (over Win 8.1, my preference) then be sure to turn off auto-updates, and give yourself a safety net with regular backup images. Way too many Win 10 users on this board do neither and then come here in a panicked state when Sonar suddenly doesn't work right and they have an important session the next day. It's mind-boggling.
SonarPlat/CWbBL, Win 10 Pro, i7 2600K, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB DDR3, Radeon HD5450, TC Electronic Impact Twin, Kawai MP11 Piano, Event ALP Monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, Too Many Plugins, My lucky hat.
|
2:43AM
Max Output Level: -68 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1147
- Joined: 2013/06/24 07:59:49
- Location: PHX
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/27 22:46:33
(permalink)
Overall, it seems like Win10 Pro = More control.
I'm on this fence as well. I've had it up to hear <taps under chin> with Home.
|
BobF
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 8124
- Joined: 2003/11/05 18:43:11
- Location: Missouri - USA
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/27 23:12:52
(permalink)
I have a Win10 Pro desktop/DAW and a Win10 Home laptop The laptop does what it wants to do when it wants to do it. The desktop (Pro) allows me enough control to feel like I'm in control  Both came with the versions they have, but I've been seriously considering paying the $40 ransom for the laptop to get control over the updates.
Bob -- Angels are crying because truth has died ...Illegitimi non carborundum --Studio One Pro / i7-6700@3.80GHZ, 32GB Win 10 Pro x64 Roland FA06, LX61+, Fishman Tripleplay, FaderPort, US-16x08 + ARC2.5/Event PS8s Waves Gold/IKM Max/Nomad Factory IS3/K11U
|
kitekrazy1
Max Output Level: -40 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3524
- Joined: 2014/08/02 17:52:51
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/27 23:33:02
(permalink)
I could see sticking with W7 if you want to keep the DAW offline and don't plan to upgrade anything.
The drawback with W7 Home is RAM limitations that are not in W10.
Sonar Platinum, W7 Pro 32GB Ram, Intel i7 4790, AsRock Z97 Pro 4, NVidia 750ti, AP2496 Sonar Platinum, W7 Pro, 16GB Ram, AMD FX 6300, Gigabyte GA 970 -UD3 P, nVidia 9800GT, Guitar Port, Terratec EWX 2496
|
DeeringAmps
Max Output Level: -49 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2614
- Joined: 2005/10/03 10:29:25
- Location: Seattle area
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 02:27:12
(permalink)
I just ordered a new StudioCat, I went with Win 10 Pro, as BofF said; more control.
T
Tom Deering Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page Firewire "Legacy" Tutorial, Service Manual, Schematic, and Service Bulletins Win10x64 StudioCat Pro Studio Coffee Lake 8086k 32gb RAM  RME UFX (Audio) Tascam FW-1884 (Control) in Win 10x64 Pro
|
BassDaddy
Max Output Level: -33 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4232
- Joined: 2012/12/31 13:55:58
- Location: I'm an American. From America!
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 13:49:09
(permalink)
dmbaer
Subject line says it all. When upgrading to Win 10 (from Win 7 Home Premium in my case), I can't see anything in Pro that justifies the extra expense, but I wanted to see if anyone else has found some reason why Pro should be preferred.
Any suggestions about the lowest-cost upgrade strategy would also be appreciated.
I see that MS is officially dropping support for Win 7 in about 17 months, so I guess I finally (and reluctantly) need to start planning for an upgrade. It's really annoying to have to fix something that ain't broke!
Aint that the truth! But, in 17 months your medical insurance gets dropped.
It's Bass, not Bass. i7 2700K, 16GB DDR3, 2 SSD sample drives and OS drive, HDD SATAIII for projects, 2 24" monitors Focusrite Saffire Pro 24, Focusrite VRM Box, LAVA Lamp, SONAR Platinum 64 bit, Mackie MCU and 1 MCU XT, Akai Advance 49, Windows 10, Komplete 9 Ultimate, Cakewalk, Toontrack, IK, AAS, XLN, UVI, Air Music Tech, Waves Factory, Sample Tek and Sonivox VSTi's. Overloud, T-Racks, Audio Damage, D16, Nomad Factory, Waves Gold FX
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 14:07:05
(permalink)
BobF
I have a Win10 Pro desktop/DAW and a Win10 Home laptop
The laptop does what it wants to do when it wants to do it. The desktop (Pro) allows me enough control to feel like I'm in control
Same here. Wouldn't ever consider running an important computer on Win 10 Home. It's worth the ransom, if you value your time and efforts! And get started with full system images anyway, if you are not already doing so, just in case a Windows update does you wrong. It only takes a few minutes to restore an earlier image and roll everything back to the way it was. But that's always been the case with every version of Windows. It's just that with Win 10 you get everything shoveled down in a big rollup if you do a monthly update, individual patches can no longer be selected.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
KingsMix
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 498
- Joined: 2015/08/20 00:56:10
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 16:36:04
(permalink)
abacab
BobF
I have a Win10 Pro desktop/DAW and a Win10 Home laptop
The laptop does what it wants to do when it wants to do it. The desktop (Pro) allows me enough control to feel like I'm in control
Same here. Wouldn't ever consider running an important computer on Win 10 Home.
It's worth the ransom, if you value your time and efforts!
And get started with full system images anyway, if you are not already doing so, just in case a Windows update does you wrong. It only takes a few minutes to restore an earlier image and roll everything back to the way it was.
But that's always been the case with every version of Windows. It's just that with Win 10 you get everything shoveled down in a big rollup if you do a monthly update, individual patches can no longer be selected.
+1
|
rsinger
Max Output Level: -83 dBFS
- Total Posts : 387
- Joined: 2007/08/25 14:34:57
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 17:28:56
(permalink)
I have Win 10 Home on a laptop. I set the internet connection to metered so it won't update automatically. I haven't had any problems.
Sonar Platinum, 64 bit, win 7 pro - 64 bit
Core i7 3770k 3.5 Ghz, 16 Gb Ram, 480Gb + 256Gb SSDs, 1 Tb Velociraptor, Echo AudioFire4
|
fret_man
Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
- Total Posts : 312
- Joined: 2009/05/14 23:57:37
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 18:15:37
(permalink)
|
BobF
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 8124
- Joined: 2003/11/05 18:43:11
- Location: Missouri - USA
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/28 18:35:06
(permalink)
Updates are the biggest, but not the only thing that can be controlled in Pro.
But, as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke [for you], don't fix it!"
Bob -- Angels are crying because truth has died ...Illegitimi non carborundum --Studio One Pro / i7-6700@3.80GHZ, 32GB Win 10 Pro x64 Roland FA06, LX61+, Fishman Tripleplay, FaderPort, US-16x08 + ARC2.5/Event PS8s Waves Gold/IKM Max/Nomad Factory IS3/K11U
|
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 Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/29 14:08:23
(permalink)
I would have framed the original question as "is there any downside to staying on Windows 7 for a dedicated DAW?"
The answer would be no - for now. But there is no way to guarantee that that will always be the case. Even though the DAW itself will be fine for many years to come, it's likely that someday you could encounter an incompatibility with a driver. Even if you freeze a stable system software-wise, you will eventually have to replace some piece of hardware.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/29 14:14:06
(permalink)
When going with Win10, get the Pro version.
Not for any performance related reason... but for the Group Policy Editor (makes shutting down unwanted components such as Cortana, OneDrive, etc. easy).
Once reined-in, Win10 is a fine DAW platform.
|
Grem
Max Output Level: -19.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5562
- Joined: 2005/06/28 09:26:32
- Location: Baton Rouge Area
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/29 14:48:25
(permalink)
Yep, MS will make you pay for the ability to turn all the BS they put in the OS that they already know you don't want on!
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
|
dmbaer
Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2585
- Joined: 2008/08/04 20:10:22
- Location: Concord CA
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/29 21:04:04
(permalink)
bitflipper
I would have framed the original question as "is there any downside to staying on Windows 7 for a dedicated DAW?"
The answer would be no - for now. But there is no way to guarantee that that will always be the case. Even though the DAW itself will be fine for many years to come, it's likely that someday you could encounter an incompatibility with a driver. Even if you freeze a stable system software-wise, you will eventually have to replace some piece of hardware.
The problem is not that Win 7 will not be stable for the foreseeable future - I'm quite sure it will. The problem is that vendors will be dropping support. Cubase 10 will probably be released in a few months. Will it run on Win 7? I won't be surprised if the answer is "no". Cubase 10.5 will almost certainly have dropped support. UVI also officially no longer supports Win 7 (they have told me that they will attempt to do so, but they are offering no guarantees going forward). So, it seems to me that the need to upgrade sometime in the next year is pretty strong.
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/30 15:20:50
(permalink)
Regarding Cubase 10 (and other future DAW updates): It will probably install/run on Win7... but if there's an issue, Steinberg likely won't offer official support (and thus potential issues may not be addressed). That's a legitimate concern. Win10 is fine. It's slightly annoying to have to purchase the "Pro" version to have more control. It's an extra $40 if buying new (in-place Home>Pro upgrade is $100). Over the 5+ year life of a typical machine, that's not too awful. 
|
ampfixer
Max Output Level: -20 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5508
- Joined: 2010/12/12 20:11:50
- Location: Ontario
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/30 15:40:28
(permalink)
Management of updates and the Group Policy Editor have been mentioned and for me these 2 items make it worth the extra money. Everyone I know that has Win 7 for daily use is starting to have driver issues and an inability to get updates. I believe MS is doing everything they can to push people off of Win 7. Win 10 Pro is a great O/S.
Regards, John I want to make it clear that I am an Eedjit. I have no direct, or indirect, knowledge of business, the music industry, forum threads or the meaning of life. I know about amps. WIN 10 Pro X64, I7-3770k 16 gigs, ASUS Z77 pro, AMD 7950 3 gig, Steinberg UR44, A-Pro 500, Sonar Platinum, KRK Rokit 6
|
dmbaer
Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2585
- Joined: 2008/08/04 20:10:22
- Location: Concord CA
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/30 21:15:18
(permalink)
Jim Roseberry
It's slightly annoying to have to purchase the "Pro" version to have more control.
It's an extra $40 if buying new (in-place Home>Pro upgrade is $100).
Over the 5+ year life of a typical machine, that's not too awful.
Hmmm, seems like I bought both my "office" computer and my DAW from you over five years ago as it is. But there's no way I'm feeling they aren't fully capable of running the workloads I throw at them. Maybe you do just too good a job. 
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/08/31 12:40:30
(permalink)
Glad they're still working well for you!
Get the Pro version of Win10... get it reined-in... and you're set for another 5+ years.
|
Grem
Max Output Level: -19.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5562
- Joined: 2005/06/28 09:26:32
- Location: Baton Rouge Area
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 02:20:23
(permalink)
dmbaer
But there's no way I'm feeling they aren't fully capable of running the workloads I throw at them. Maybe you do just too good a job.
First DAW I got back in '97 was from Jim. The second DAW I had I built from parts that Jim recommended and freely gave out these recommendations on these forums. My third and present DAW was from a consultation deal with Jim. That's 20 years of service from three computers. Yeah, I'd say he does great work!!
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
|
Studioguy1
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
- Total Posts : 244
- Joined: 2006/10/04 23:20:33
- Location: The Lehigh Valley
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 02:30:23
(permalink)
What justifies upgrading to Win 10 is the fact that Noel and the programmers are using the advanced features built into Win 10 already. Those of us who have been dragging our feet, may have to move in that direction.
Current happy user of Cakewalk by BandLab; Former Sonar Platinum lifetime plan; Okie Duke, The Duke Of The Lehigh Valley Sound Syndicate Studios-Recording and Production HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC 8 Gb ram Windows 7 Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 2.20 gigahertz Intel Core i7-2670QM Hitachi [Hard drive] (750.16 GB) - 2 Tb external Drive - U-Phoria UMC204HD usb - Triton Keyboard - and much more. Blue Clown Records Ltd Blue Clown Publishing BMI Okie Duke Promotions Ltd
|
AT
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 10654
- Joined: 2004/01/09 10:42:46
- Location: TeXaS
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 15:13:25
(permalink)
I run windows 7 and most likely it will slowly be strangled by software that won't work on it. I lost several old synths/effects in win upgrades but stuck w/ 7 since Win10 doesn't work w/ my CD label printer. Years later I realize it would have been better to make it a dual boot.
|
Kamikaze
Max Output Level: -45 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3013
- Joined: 2015/01/15 21:38:59
- Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 15:35:42
(permalink)
Windows Home just did a big update on my Old Laptop, and when it re-started it notified me Free Dimension Pro Expansion Packs 1-3 is no longer available.This app was removed from your PC because it doesn't work on this version of Windows. Jeez thanks for making that decision for me Microsoft https://www.cakewalk.com/...ro-Expansion-Packs-1-3
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 18:29:57
(permalink)
Funny, I no longer show Dimension Pro installed in my Windows 10 programs and features control panel (or start menu), but it's still on my hard drive along with my presets and expansion packs.
I have a shortcut to the standalone version .exe on my desktop. The target lives at 'C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\VstPlugins\Dimension Pro'.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
Kamikaze
Max Output Level: -45 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3013
- Joined: 2015/01/15 21:38:59
- Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 18:34:53
(permalink)
A link to kind out why took me to Microsofts Family Friendly Child Protection Page. Makes me wonder what Samples I never srumbled on!
|
Grem
Max Output Level: -19.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5562
- Joined: 2005/06/28 09:26:32
- Location: Baton Rouge Area
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/03 23:25:38
(permalink)
Kamikaze
A link to kind out why took me to Microsofts Family Friendly Child Protection Page. Makes me wonder what Samples I never srumbled on!
LOL!! What you doing on that machine!?
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
|
abacab
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4464
- Joined: 2014/12/31 19:34:07
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/04 15:54:57
(permalink)
I think Windows 10 has a way of removing potentially incompatible legacy applications from the registry and menus when it updates. However I don't believe it always removes the program folders or executables themselves, just the references. There have been a couple times I had to re-create shortcuts that disappeared after an update.
DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ...
|
batsbrew
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 10037
- Joined: 2007/06/07 16:02:32
- Location: SL,UT
- Status: offline
Re: Is There Any Reason Win 10 Pro is Needed for a DAW?
2018/09/05 15:57:22
(permalink)
i went with win 10 pro on my most recent build.
it has been rock solid,
turned off all update features, just a peaceful easy feeling.
|