joden
haha yes it was an extreme example...but still not out of the reach of folks with a reasonable amount of "nous" (not to mention a big fat wad of cash!!!)  and I mean it's not like you guys actually MAKE any of this gear, you buy it just the same as everyone. But for those that meet that criteria and are a tad lazy...well lazy needs to be paid for somehow hey

It's not simply bolting parts together...
It's about knowing which components work best for a particular purpose... and how best to configure the "whole".
Random hodgepodge of components doesn't work for high-performance scenarios/expectations.
 

Of course Jim...not suggesting otherwise, and I was giving a simplistic overview to not bog it down too much with specifics but as the poster above you said anyone who has a bit a researching skill and patience can do the same (or at least very close to) job. It really is not rocket science or some arcane art.
 
I daresay most of your "build" procedure comes from many years of experience...the same goes for those folks interested enough in this side of things with the same level of experience.
 
Dennis

I just watched a recent episode of "South Park". I couldn't help but think of this thread.
 
It's true... The Ads have taken human form. And the scary thing is, I don't believe they are even aware of it.
I mean, don't we all want to be better?
 
I probably should not hit Submit

mixmkr
Since this is an old thread originally, I was using an off the shelf Dell, which was doing OK.  Previously I had a custom built back in the 90's, but spent about $3k and didn' want to go that route.  That said, I bought what is probably a "typical" StudioCat computer about a year ago.  It has totally been rock solid, I NEVER crash with Sonar, just get the updates and roll on.  It has been BY FAR a superior machine, than what I had ever used in the past, and probably to Jim's specs...isn't all the glamorous anymore.  But it's great.

Any rate...just reading some of my old comments back in 2013, I felt the need to update my opinions on this thread.

I read comments like this often when users comment on buying a custom built PC and I think it shows why users return to these builders and why they highly recommend them. Comments like "rock solid". I've never bought a pre build specifically for audio, but "specifically for audio" is basically a machine with no boatware, a fresh OS install,  using high quality components, that has whatever audio interface you use adjusted to the best latency and resolution.It also has anything that would conflict with audio either disabled or removed and any services that are running in the background and can safely be disabled are. Configuring a computer for audio can take about 10 minutes for a person who knows how to do it...so these computers really aren't extremely different.
 
I don't think this is an edge since with my last three builds...one of which was an AMD system  were also very stable and "rock solid" with no major software conflicts even with one build that wasn't totally maxed for audio.
 
My built machines and computers "maxed for audio" are really no different. Some builders might try to say that their hardware is better or that they have a better combination of parts. I'm sure they do use great hardware, but it isn't specific or only available to them.

Yes. And the guy who "wrote the book" for half the music related hardware and software over the last 25 years could build his own PC; with one eye closed and a hand tied behind his back. It would be fast. It would be stable. But it wouldn't be free.
 
I respect him tremendously. I have learned a lot from his many books and articles. But this thread is not a story. It is an ad (Sponsored Content). I might have to re-read the CoC but I am pretty sure it is against the rules.

Sorry Base 57 - I disagree. The thread is well within the scope of a correct discussion. It is only the pros and cons of using services like these that are being discussed. AFAICS there is NO touting for business going on at all.
 
 

Base 57
But this thread is not a story. It is an ad (Sponsored Content). I might have to re-read the CoC but I am pretty sure it is against the rules.

That's ridiculous.
 
The second sentence in my first post was: "Of course PCAL isn't the only game in town - Jim Roseberry and Scott over at ADK also have the recipe down - but PCAL went outside of their comfort zone several years ago to make me a laptop that was optimized for video production, and I've been using their gear ever since."
 
I write non-fiction, so I write about what I know. If I was using an ADK or Studio Cat computer, I would have mentioned that instead to get my point across about what I feel are the advantages of using computers integrated specifically for musical applications.
 
I also explained why I use PCAL - they worked with me to create a video system that other companies weren't offering at the time. In fact they were reluctant to do it because they felt they didn't have expertise in that field, but they did it anyway. Companies that go above and beyond the call of duty get repeat business from me. (I've owned two cars in my life. My first was a 66 VW Beetle I bought used for $450. I put 235,000 miles on it. When it became impossible to buy parts for it anymore, I figured I owed VW some customer loyalty so my second car was a 2000 Beetle, which I'm still driving.)
 
Furthermore, the thread accomplished what I wanted - a discussion about using computers integrated for music, and hopefully, the people on this forum who have consistent computer problems would realize there are ways to have a much smoother experience if you don't have the time, inclination, or knowledge to build your own machine. I really don't understand how anyone could have a problem with that...but then again, there are many things about humanoid bipeds I don't fully understand . 

I don't disagree that audio optimized computers are the best way to run sonar. My machine was custom built by a local company and I love it. Suggestions for making optimizations on our current or future computers are greatly appreciated.
 However you did endorse a specific company. Then a representative of that company joined the thread and promoted his company and products.
 It is waddling and quacking, I'm pretty sure it's a 66 Beetle (turbo diesel).

I can't believe I am annoying the man who wrote the manual for my DPM-3. I need sysex files for it. The disk drive is dead.
I'm sorry.
I take it all back.
 

Base 57
However you did endorse a specific company.

 
No. I recommended/endorsed three companies in the first post, and related my experiences with one of them - the one with which I had the most experience (remember, I write non-fiction) - to prove my point. 
 

Then a representative of that company joined the thread and promoted his company and products.
 It is waddling and quacking, I'm pretty sure it's a 66 Beetle (turbo diesel).

 
And Jim Roseberry responded in post #91 with what you might consider promoting his company and products, but I consider adding his (considerable and quite formidable) expertise to the thread. A lot of people don't know the lengths these companies go to in order to create specialized computers. I have no problem with them explaining the facts of what they do, why they do it, and the results they try to accomplish. 
 
Conspiracy theories may be entertaining, but education is useful.