Hi -
I'm having a Jim Roseberry computer custom made - with hard drive, audio drive, and samples drive.  I've never had to deal with hi quality like this before so I have some questions:
- I can figure out most stuff, but am I to understand that only audio tracks go on the audio drive?
- Should I put the X3 program on the hard drive along with the VST plugins - Moog Mod., Arp2000, etc?
- I'm gonna use a Focusrite Saffire Firewire, so it will have a Firewire jack with both 400 and 800 bps.  Will I have to spend another $800 to get 800bps interface if I want to run these synths and amp modeling software on the same project?  I am assuming the answer is no, but I've been blindsided before.
 
I feel guilty because I'm always asking questions here and never answering any...but I am very psyched to start making music again.  I'll prob be a regular on this Forum.  Thanks!

There are many many things to learn, and you would likely benefit from watching some of the Sonar videos that are freely available out there - CakeTV, YouTube, etc., and in addition, there are some REALLY good books commercially available that do a great job of explaining all kinds of things about Sonar, and some of that includes some of the setup stuff - like what hardware pieces do what and why.
 
Different folks have differing ideas on how to split files and programs among multiple hard drives, and with the speed of current computers, as well as the cheap price for storage, it's really easy to have multiple choices.
 
The biggest bang for the buck will be to split your programs and operating system away from where your data and content is stored.  Meaning, operating system and programs on one disk drive, and sample libraries/projects/ on at least one additional drive.
 
Some folks split projects and libraries onto 2 different drives too.
 
If your computer splits the OS and programs on one drive, and the rest is on one additional drive, you should be OK, and if you have performance bottlenecks doing that, than invest in another hard drive and further split off sample libs from projects.
 
I hope some of the above helps, 
 
Bob Bone
 

Hey thanks, Bob.  I'll look into some of the books you mentioned...You gave me enough to go on for the time being.  Based on what I already know - that is some sound advice.

electrodome1
- I can figure out most stuff, but am I to understand that only audio tracks go on the audio drive?
- Should I put the X3 program on the hard drive along with the VST plugins - Moog Mod., Arp2000, etc?
- I'm gonna use a Focusrite Saffire Firewire, so it will have a Firewire jack with both 400 and 800 bps.  Will I have to spend another $800 to get 800bps interface if I want to run these synths and amp modeling software on the same project?  I am assuming the answer is no, but I've been blindsided before.

Using "Per Project Audio Folders" option in Sonar, save your projects on the Audio HD.
Each project will be in it's own folder... and all accompanying audio files will be in an "Audio" sub-folder.
 
Install Sonar and plugin files in the boot drive.
Large accompanying sample libraries should be placed on the Samples drive.
Pay close attention when installing these plugins.  It's easy to keep clicking "Next" when you're in a hurry... and they wind up installed on the C: drive.    For performance AND backup reasons, you don't want sample libraries on the C: (boot) drive.
 
The Saffire will work fine.

Jim - Excellent - and I went back and corrected the spelling on your name! 

Jim,
 
Got the machine yesterday...Spending tomorrow setting it up.  I just want to install one version of SONAR 3 - are there any benefits to installing the 64-bit version over the 32-bit version?  I've had problems running the 64-bit version on my other computer - the Arturia soft-synths distort.  I think I should go with the 32-bit version, but I'm not totally sure.
 
Dana

Hi Dana,
 
I'd definitely install the 64Bit version of X3.
Keep in mind that 32Bit applications can only address 4GB RAM.
If necessary, you can install the 32Bit version of X3 as a "fall-back" option (side-by-side with the 64Bit version).
I doubt this will be necessary... (most of the popular plugins are now 64Bit and mature)
 
If you'll be installing both 32Bit and 64Bit plugins, I'd make sure to keep those separate.
I create two VST Plugins folders:

• C:\Program Files\VstPlugins_64Bit
• C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins_32Bit

When installing plugins, pay careful attention to where the dll files are being installed.
If you just accept the defaults, you'll have plugin dll files all over the place (there's no standard for install path).