Is there a difference in sound quality when using Sonar 64 versus 32 bit?

Hello all, just wondering if I will be hearing a difference in sound quality if I have the 64bit version of Sonar, like for instance when doing a mix down or mastering. Currently I am using the 32 bit version due to computer limitations, but I am wondering if I need to upgrade to a 64bit machine to get better sound quality with my projects…

No difference like he said. What will determine your sound is your latency and the quality of your sound card and Monitors. gb and gl

The biggest plus of upgrading to a 64 bit OS is being able to access/use more than 4GB of RAM. 

64 bit is becoming the defacto standard on new PC's.  All that I've seen now come with 64 bit OS. 

fireberd


The biggest plus of upgrading to a 64 bit OS is being able to access/use more than 4GB of RAM. 

64 bit is becoming the defacto standard on new PC's.  All that I've seen now come with 64 bit OS. 

The importance of more memory comes into play when you want to use super high quality sample based vst's.
 
Lets say you have the following tracks
 
Ivory II Italian Grand 
Spectrasonics Trillian
Kontakt playing Strings
Superior Drummer
Realguitar
Realstrat
 
A 32 bit operating system will mean you have to use lower quality samplesets (16bit vs 24bit) fewer simultaneous notes, and fewer velocity layers.
 
You will still need to invest in additional ram even with the 64bit OS but you can put 8-12 gig ram and be able to run nearly an entire orchestra of samples without freezing.
 
I have 12gig ram in my win7 64 and I never have memory problems now.  I could only run Ivory by itself on XP.

BenMMusTech


Are you talking about a 64 bit operating system or 64 bit floating point, if you are talking about a 64 bit operating system then the answer is no but if you are talking about 64 bit fp, then yes but only people with golden ears can really hear it and not all plugs are 64 bit fp yet.

It's all to do with time based effects, reverb, modulation, if you listen to the tail of a reverb or a delay with 64 bit fp turned on and of course it has to be a 64 bit fp plug you will hear the difference, but only if you really train your ears.

If you have anymore questions just ask.

Peace Ben  

Su1c0c1dE


Hello every, thanks for all your input, I believe I have abetter understanding now with the differences, especially with 64bit PC as opposed a 64bit FP... So I guess when it comes to getting a good mix/mastering sound, I would need to do more research on "mastering" those techniques. What I'm looking for is that quality sound you get from a professional; basically what you hear when buying a CD. Again, thanks for all the replies; it was much appreciated... -Su1c0c1dE

You have right idea. I couldn't say it any better.  Best of luck.

Su1c0c1dE


Hello every, thanks for all your input, I believe I have abetter understanding now with the differences, especially with 64bit PC as opposed a 64bit FP... So I guess when it comes to getting a good mix/mastering sound, I would need to do more research on "mastering" those techniques. What I'm looking for is that quality sound you get from a professional; basically what you hear when buying a CD. Again, thanks for all the replies; it was much appreciated... -Su1c0c1dE

The 64 bit-32 bit thing has been beat to death. I asked a question here on the forum once. How many bits is tape? Of course it was a trick question that dealt with bit resolution verses magnetic particle resolution. Confused yet? There were some interesting answers. Resolution-detail is what you're after. If you're doing large projects that require loads of computer resources, 64 bit will get you more operating room. Be forewarned though, that everything you want to do and use might not work in 64 bit. The bit rate race is advancing slowly.

am I correct in saying 64bit OS MAIN benefit is for accessing more RAM... for our virtual instruments.

64 bit floating point will treat files with a better resolution...  hence thinking the reverb tails would be smoother...etc.. but necessarily since it is the plug in and not the internal affairs.

and...If virtual instruments really aren't used, or just the minimum... like one instance of Toontrack drums, then all the extra RAM aint worth it, unless you go out and by Omnisphere or some monster East/West library..
???

great thread, btw

mixmkr


am I correct in saying 64bit OS MAIN benefit is for accessing more RAM... for our virtual instruments.

64 bit floating point will treat files with a better resolution...  hence thinking the reverb tails would be smoother...etc.. but necessarily since it is the plug in and not the internal affairs.

and...If virtual instruments really aren't used, or just the minimum... like one instance of Toontrack drums, then all the extra RAM aint worth it, unless you go out and by Omnisphere or some monster East/West library..
???

great thread, btw

You have hit the nail on the head, everybody trumpets 64 bit OS but unless you are running programs like the ones you mention there is no point.  I often run 3 or 4 dim pros, session drummer 3 and various other soft synths, then effects and up to 40 audio tracks and I only have 32 bit os so I don't ascribe to the need to go to 64 bit os, not yet but it will happen soon.  I'm still not conviced that bitbridge and jbridge are bug free, i'd pefer to make music that is why I won't use  a 64 bit os.
 
And John, I know you like to trumpet a lot but read my post properly I said all you said but on saying that there is a difference and I could certinly pick the difference even if you cant, I know what to listen for.  I don't use the 64 bit mix engine though for the same reason I don't use a 64 bit os, the technology is not quite there, i'd prefer to make music with a fully functioning DAW than play technian and this is part of the problem with the music industry, we spend hours trying to perfect something or trying to glean the last drop of supposed fidelity from our DAW's or audio interface rather than focusing on the more important job of making good music.  So in future John please read my posts before you go NO!!!!
 
Finally Kc2ine, I don't know what the problem is but to go around poo pooing stuff when you don't show who you are, or you don't show why we should listen to you is juvinile, I agreeed with you about tablets and contoll surfaces but to hang out in forums and just be a tool (can I say that?, I am unsure about forum protocol and the limits) is very lame.  Look I too at times have come across as a tool and still do but I also am learning and this is a vibrent comunity with a lot of knowledge to share so speak your mind by all means but and I hate to say this because I like being a bull in a china shop but you do capture more flys with honey!  Sorry K2cine Peace Ben

John, this is the last thing I am going to say on this thread and I am not going to throw slings and arrows,  The Cake, trumpet the benifits of 64FP and I have many articles about the benifits of 64 bit fp and time based effects, where do you think I got the information from, plucked it out of the air!!!

If you need sources I will get them.

Pece

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mxu0Uobv4w&feature=related

Here Ben this may give you some pause on how you look at this subject. PT audio mixer.