...wicked
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New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
I've always been a DIY builder for my machines, and it's been a while. I'm looking to upgrade to an i7 system but I notice now that the retail units available are pretty powerful for the price, and substantially cheaper with the odd OEM concession to parts. Here's a system I whipped up on PCPartPicker And here's a system I scoped out by just hopping over to Dell's site (for example). The biggest difference is the video card, but the Dell system also has lots of doo-dads to round that out. I'm aware a consumer machine won't be as future proof as a custom build, but there's a solid $150 difference in price in the 2, and probably more if I actually hunt around for a consumer box. So, I humbly submit, is horsepower advanced enough that an off-the-shelf machine can function just fine as a DAW?
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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fireberd
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 13:40:14
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Both would do. A commercial PC, whether Dell or another brand, will require some work to remove unwanted programs. However, be advised that Wi-Fi is a KNOWN cause of audio pops/clicks/dropouts (DPC errors). If you want a PC with Wi-Fi connection, always disable that when recording.
I work several PC help forums and the Wi-Fi, as noted, is always the first thing we mention when someone posts with those types of audio problems.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 15:10:46
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☄ Helpfulby Starise 2016/02/09 14:20:59
If you're wanting a high-performance machine... a custom build allows you to hand pick each component.
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batsbrew
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 15:12:33
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you don't want a 'factory' sound card along the lines of a soundblaster...
and you don't want video on the motherboard...
you don't need ANY software on your machine, except O/s, recording programs.
in the time it will take you to strip your machine from a factory provided OEM software drowning,
you could have just upgraded a custom machine.
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...wicked
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 15:19:16
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Noted and agreed on: wi-fi (I only enable it to check for updates now and again), on-board anything (the Dell box has a dedicated GPU, it's not just as well-spec'd as a custom build), annnnd also on a custom box being a better performer. I reckon my question is: is there enough difference in performance at this level to justify a higher-cost custom build?
Oh, also noted on default install. I would just assume a consumer machine would need to be wiped and imaged or re-installed with non-bloatware.
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 15:30:39
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☄ Helpfulby Starise 2016/02/09 14:22:55
FWIW, That's a question that only you can answer for yourself.  A custom machine is exactly what *you* want (nothing more... nothing less). It's built for an exact purpose. A general-purpose machine is just that...
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...wicked
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 16:20:58
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Haha, yeah but that's only a question I can answer after purchasing one or the other. Normally I've always been a builder of my DAW, just frankensteining it up with a new CPU/Mobo/RAM once in a while. But not that CPUs are so powerful I wonder if a plain jane machine can do the job and cost way less. Granted, you'd probably run into a part (the GPU looks like a familiar culprit) that gets outdated faster, but if you can get 4yrs or so with it still being up to snuff that's a cheaper investment.
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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...wicked
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 16:22:43
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Oh, FWIW I'm hoping to upgrade/replace my DAW for about $1K or less. Since I now need a new: CPU/Mobo/RAM, PSU, and my old case is a POS so I'm thinking a new one, aside from drives (curious about an SSD for the OS) and an optical drive that's pretty much a whole new machine.
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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jatoth
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 16:25:31
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I would recommend having a machine custom built specifically for audio.
Talk to Jim Roseberry, several forum members have highly recommended the work he does.
OEM computers will work, but they will not be optimized for audio.
I bought my machine from Sweetwater 6 years ago, never had an issue, and couldn't be happier.
That was before I started hanging around here, and learned of Jim's boxes. Jim will definitely be building my next one!
John X3e Producer, Sonar Platinum, Sweetwater CreationStation i5 3.1gHz, 12 GB RAM, 500GB SSD OS drive, 1TB SSD audio drive, 1TB archive/misc drive, dual 22" monitors, Windows 7x64, SaffirePro40 (firewire), MOTU MIDI Express XT, Behringer BCF2000, dbx 586, Samson Servo 120a, Yamaha HS80M, Auratone 5c Cubes, Sennheiser HD650, Sony MDR 7509HD, Sony MDR 7506, Kurzweil K2500XS, Roland XP-30, Proteus 2000.
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Maarkr
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/05 22:18:48
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i've always built mine after my Gateway 486. Some OTS machines won't allow modifications if needed. I try to use parts from the old machine to save money. But replacing the mobo will usually require a new OS, which may also affect license issues w software. Look into soundproofing and quiet fans or water cooling for a DAW build.
Maarkr Studio: SPALT Lifetime/BL Cakewalk, Studio One 3.5, UAD, Z3ta+2, IKM, NI, Waves, iZotope, Melda, Reaper i7 3770/Giga Z77 mobo, Win10 Pro-64 w16Gb, MOTU Ultralite MK4, Yamaha HS80M wSub, Live: PX-5S, FA-06, Roland Lucina, Epi Les Paul, Ibanez Bass, Amps, e-drums, Zoom R-16... Latest album release, NEW! Counry Classic at http://genemaarkr.bandcamp.com/
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mudgel
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/08 02:45:15
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I'm in Australia so Jims a bit far away but I've used his consultancy service to provide a parts list of things that he knows work well together.
Mike V. (MUDGEL) STUDIO: Win 10 Pro x64, SPlat & CbB x64, PC: ASUS Z370-A, INTEL i7 8700k, 32GIG DDR4 2400, OC 4.7Ghz. Storage: 7 TB SATA III, 750GiG SSD & Samsung 500 Gig 960 EVO NVMe M.2. Monitors: Adam A7X, JBL 10” Sub. Audio I/O & DSP Server: DIGIGRID IOS & IOX. Screen: Raven MTi + 43" HD 4K TV Monitor. Keyboard Controller: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88.
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ston
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/08 11:48:19
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I'd go for a barebones ready-made system (i.e. a complete system but without an OEM licenced OS and all the bloat/guff that comes installed with it). Then get yourself a single user Professional-level Windows licence, install and go. Thing is, you can get a good barebones 'complete' system for less than buying the same set of components and building it yourself these days.
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fireberd
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/08 13:20:21
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While I agree a custom or barebones system would be best/better (my system is self built), the specific Dell doesn't sound bad. There's nothing wrong with an OEM operating system. It is the same as a full retail version except the OEM version is only legally licensed for the system it was delivered with.
I see posts here and on other recording forums of users with Dell's, HP's, etc and, from their posts, they are not having any recording issues with them.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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ston
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/09 07:53:53
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The non-OEM licence gives you an easier time of upgrading the machine if you change various hardware components, although to be fair M$ are pretty reasonable about accepting re-activation requests for OEM systems whose hardware configuration has changed.
Personally, I'd rather spend a few £££ more for a non-OEM licence then I don't have to worry at all about making modifications to the machine or even installing it on a new one but either choice has its good and bad points.
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dwardzala
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/09 10:12:13
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I purchased an OEM license for WinXP when I built my DAW back in 2007. I had no trouble changing out the MB, processor and memory when my original MB failed. I don't even think I had to call them. I did keep the OS on the same drive, so I just moved the drives over. I also had no trouble updgrading to WIN7 by installing the OS on a new drive with OEM version too.
I would not be too concerned with OEM versions, MS is pretty reasonable.
DaveMain Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller Win10 x64 Home Sonar 2017.06 Platinum (and X3e, X2c, X1d) Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD) M-Box Mini v. 2 Win 10 x64 Home Sonar 2016.10 Platinum Check out my original music: https://soundcloud.com/d-wardzala/sets/d-wardzala-original-music
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KingsMix
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/10 12:10:07
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.
post edited by KingsMix - 2016/02/10 12:19:11
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KingsMix
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/10 12:15:36
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Starise
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/12 13:40:28
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If you have built in the past why not build again? It might cost a bit extra but it's money well spent and you'll know what you have.
Add an OS for around 100.00 american give or take depending on the version. I would do it and never look back.
I haven't had the time to finish it yet but I have started to put together a "how to" on building a computer yourself. I have full pics which I'll probably post to my website. Even better it'll be free. Tech moves so fast that by time I would sell it things will have moved on...so if you have reservations hang on a bit and I can give you enough info to get started on it. I'll post the info as I get it up ( the info that is). You don't need the same hardware I used since this will be a general guide.
There are also some great resources in Electronic Musician Magazine. Some of those articles walk you through all the hardware and build. One of my earlier builds was a copy of one of those builds.
Intel 5820K O.C. 4.4ghz, ASRock Extreme 4 LGA 2011-v3, 16 gig DDR4, , 3 x Samsung SATA III 500gb SSD, 2X 1 Samsung 1tb 7200rpm outboard, Win 10 64bit, Laptop HP Omen i7 16gb 2/sdd with Focusrite interface. CbB, Studio One 4 Pro, Mixcraft 8, Ableton Live 10 www.soundcloud.com/starise Twitter @Rodein
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...wicked
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/20 19:23:59
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Well I ended up going with the PCPartpicker as a parts list. I got everything from either NewEgg or Amazon, which got free shipping on everything (making up for the $5-$10 price difference on everything).
I've got it mostly built, just sorting out the modular power supply and cabling issues. I flashed my current C Drive onto an SSD so hopefully the headache will be minimal when I fire it up. Stay tuned for more.
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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Starise
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/22 10:25:23
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Intel 5820K O.C. 4.4ghz, ASRock Extreme 4 LGA 2011-v3, 16 gig DDR4, , 3 x Samsung SATA III 500gb SSD, 2X 1 Samsung 1tb 7200rpm outboard, Win 10 64bit, Laptop HP Omen i7 16gb 2/sdd with Focusrite interface. CbB, Studio One 4 Pro, Mixcraft 8, Ableton Live 10 www.soundcloud.com/starise Twitter @Rodein
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...wicked
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/25 21:06:35
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Success! I'll have to update my sig. New system is amazing, and absurdly quiet. Woo hoo!
=========== The Fog People =========== Intel i7-4790 16GB RAM ASUS Z97 Roland OctaCapture Win10/64 SONAR Platinum 64-bit billions VSTs, some of which work
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dwardzala
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/26 08:38:20
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DaveMain Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller Win10 x64 Home Sonar 2017.06 Platinum (and X3e, X2c, X1d) Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD) M-Box Mini v. 2 Win 10 x64 Home Sonar 2016.10 Platinum Check out my original music: https://soundcloud.com/d-wardzala/sets/d-wardzala-original-music
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patm300e
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Re: New DAW: custom build or off-the-shelf consumer computer?
2016/02/29 12:17:09
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Glad to hear of your success...Looking forward to hearing some wicked songs!
 SPLAT on a Home built i3 16 GB RAM 64-bit Windows 10 Home Premium 120GB SSD (OS) 2TB Data Drive. Behringer XR-18 USB 2.0 Interface. FaderPort control.
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