I'm thinking of getting a Sweetwater Custom Computing CS400 4u.
The problem I always have is with Sonar Splat and a few Wave plugins on my laptops?
Sweetwater says that this system can be rack mounted and is "silent running" so basically I would use it in a rack to replace my laptop for around the house. :)
Anyone having issues with the CS400 system running Sonar with plugins? other info about this unit?
 
Thanks!
 
 

It is what I am currently using - LOVE IT!!!!!   You are going Windows 10, correct???

These systems are designed and optimized to be used for audio production.  They are a far cry from your laptop -- or any other "off the shelf" PC.
 
The system you describe is encased as a rackmountable unit.  You commented, "system can be rack mounted... so basically I would use it in a rack to replace my laptop for around the house".  Just to be clear, it is rack-mounted (not "can be"), and while you can move it around if necessary, it's really meant to be stationary, in a rack.
 
If you need to move "around the house", then maybe you should be looking at a laptop. I'm not sure if Sweetwater offers a laptop solution, but there are other Custom DAW PC builders who do -- for example, ADK Pro Audio and Studiocat (Both of whom are well known and regarded here on these forums).

listen
It is what I am currently using - LOVE IT!!!!!   You are going Windows 10, correct???

Cool! I don't really want to use win 10 but... that's what is comes with... I may go 10pro. just to keep the updates from installing randomly...
 
Thanks! :)
 

JonD
These systems are designed and optimized to be used for audio production.  They are a far cry from your laptop -- or any other "off the shelf" PC.
 
The system you describe is encased as a rackmountable unit.  You commented, "system can be rack mounted... so basically I would use it in a rack to replace my laptop for around the house".  Just to be clear, it is rack-mounted (not "can be"), and while you can move it around if necessary, it's really meant to be stationary, in a rack.
 
If you need to move "around the house", then maybe you should be looking at a laptop. I'm not sure if Sweetwater offers a laptop solution, but there are other Custom DAW PC builders who do -- for example, ADK Pro Audio and Studiocat (Both of whom are well known and regarded here on these forums).

Yea, I will put it in a portable case and have two stations setup where I now use laptops. It will be nice to setup to record and not have to cable/snake and run back and forth from my main system to the drums or recording someone in the same room will work out great! My laptops bite! lol this really opens up a lot better setup options for me...
 
Thanks! :)

PCs like this are fine for those that don't know how to buy components and install software.
 
Otherwise they are drastically overpriced.  The idea they are that much better than an off-the-shelf machine is misleading.  You can get a computer with the same kind of specs from a number of sources for less.  Though you may need to either run a program to get rid of bloatware or do the Win install yourself.  (the Sweetwater system comes with bloatware also).  
 
A 6th Gen i5 computer with 16 gigs of ram a reasonable size SSD and a HD for $1800 is rather steep.  
 
I'd only go this route if you want to save time or lack the knowledge to buy parts and put them in a case.  (you can buy a quiet rack mount case without the help of Sweetwater).  And frankly, you can get a Tower system that would be quieter than a rackmount system.  
 
http://www.silentpcreview.com/

wow! I'm sorry for posting in the wrong area. I thought that wanting to know if Sonar would work well with this system was just like asking if midi controllers would work and maybe a bit more relevant then multiple monitors non sense... lol
 
So this belongs in [Studio]. That's cool! I was a bit confused...  

Brian Walton
PCs like this are fine for those that don't know how to buy components and install software.
 
Otherwise they are drastically overpriced.  The idea they are that much better than an off-the-shelf machine is misleading.  You can get a computer with the same kind of specs from a number of sources for less.  Though you may need to either run a program to get rid of bloatware or do the Win install yourself.  (the Sweetwater system comes with bloatware also).  
 
A 6th Gen i5 computer with 16 gigs of ram a reasonable size SSD and a HD for $1800 is rather steep.  
 
I'd only go this route if you want to save time or lack the knowledge to buy parts and put them in a case.  (you can buy a quiet rack mount case without the help of Sweetwater).  And frankly, you can get a Tower system that would be quieter than a rackmount system.  
 
http://www.silentpcreview.com/

gad... lol I've installed, built and repaired more computers that I care to remember. You know? When you had to set your IRQs manually on your mother board and components, type all your info for boot-up into your config.sys and autoexe.bat within dos 1.1. ha! until like 04... Then realize that time is more important then shopping for parts, wait for them to ship, hoping they shipped the right parts, buy a full version of windows and spend a week updating said windows to date before you can start installing the software and plugins I will need to install as it is. lol
I like that it can buy it, put it in a rack and use it right next to where I'm recording. I could care less how much it is if I can be creating and recording new music next week with it and not still waiting for parts.
Thanks for the advise just the same.  I'm sure some would rather build a system as it really is plug and play theses days... but I'm too lazy... hum? Was that one of your options for "why buy" one already put together? lol
have a good one! :)

11Dreams

Brian Walton
PCs like this are fine for those that don't know how to buy components and install software.
 
Otherwise they are drastically overpriced.  The idea they are that much better than an off-the-shelf machine is misleading.  You can get a computer with the same kind of specs from a number of sources for less.  Though you may need to either run a program to get rid of bloatware or do the Win install yourself.  (the Sweetwater system comes with bloatware also).  
 
A 6th Gen i5 computer with 16 gigs of ram a reasonable size SSD and a HD for $1800 is rather steep.  
 
I'd only go this route if you want to save time or lack the knowledge to buy parts and put them in a case.  (you can buy a quiet rack mount case without the help of Sweetwater).  And frankly, you can get a Tower system that would be quieter than a rackmount system.  
 
http://www.silentpcreview.com/

gad... lol I've installed, built and repaired more computers that I care to remember. You know? When you had to set your IRQs manually on your mother board and components, type all your info for boot-up into your config.sys and autoexe.bat within dos 1.1. ha! until like 04... Then realize that time is more important then shopping for parts, wait for them to ship, hoping they shipped the right parts, buy a full version of windows and spend a week updating said windows to date before you can start installing the software and plugins I will need to install as it is. lol
I like that it can buy it, put it in a rack and use it right next to where I'm recording. I could care less how much it is if I can be creating and recording new music next week with it and not still waiting for parts.
Thanks for the advise just the same.  I'm sure some would rather build a system as it really is plug and play theses days... but I'm too lazy... hum? Was that one of your options for "why buy" one already put together? lol
have a good one! :)

It's really not as complicated as that nowadays....much easier and wayyyy less expensive to build more system for bang for your buck.  Although I do understand that some people find the task daunting or super tedious and time consuming, so nothing wrong with giving computer builders business if that works for you.

KingsMix
... Although I do understand that some people find the task daunting or super tedious and time consuming, so nothing wrong with giving computer builders business if that works for you.

Absolutely. 
 
The guy who buys all of his PCs at Costco is different from the DIY'er who insists on building his PCs, who is also different from the guy who runs a business along with a busy home life and has maybe two free hours a weekend and doesn't want to spend months of his free time planning and building a PC, who is different from the guy who is all thumbs when it comes to computers but wants a powerful, highly customized DAW PC and the ability to call someone and have them remotely take over the PC when he runs into trouble... (I'm sure I've forgotten other categories of PC buyers, but you're tired of reading this, so hopefully it illustrated the point).