Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK?

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jlizerbram
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2013/12/28 14:46:26 (permalink)

Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK?

Hi all,
I really want to explore Sonar X3, as I've been in the Sonar 7 and 8 versions for years, and have never bumped up to the X-versions.  I don't want to upgrade my PC if I don't have to, although it's about 7 years old but still running strong.  Sonar 8.5 runs great with what I currently have:  Intel Quad-Core Q6600 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500GB C (OS):, 500GB D:(Audio), 1TB E: (Samples).  I write orchestral pieces with EastWest Play 4.0 engine and lots of sample libraries.  Would X3d hammer my system's memory and CPU?

On a totally different note, being out of the forums for quite some time, I noticed that Brandon and Seth have moved onto different areas or ventures.  Who's gonna come to San Diego's guitar centers and demonstrate the latest Cakewalk products now?  :) 

Sonica Labs (Q6600 Quad Core, 8GB, 500GB OS, 500 GB Audio, 500 GB Samples, 2TB Backup) 
Windows 8.1 Enterprise
2X Presonus Firestudio Projects, daisy-chained, using Universal Driver 1.7
Sonar Platinum
M-Audio Oxygen 88, Lots of EastWest using Play 4.2
 
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    paulo
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    Re: Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK? 2013/12/28 14:58:17 (permalink)
    You haven't mentioned whether you are running 32 or 64 bit, but if 64 I would maybe add some RAM, but as far as the minimum specs go you're alright as you are......
     
    http://cakewalk.com/Produ...-Producer/default.aspx
     
    Expect a bit of learning curve though and some things in pre-X would have been better left alone IMHO, but there's goodness too. You could always try the X2 demo beforehand to get some idea.
     
     
    #2
    jlizerbram
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    Re: Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK? 2013/12/28 15:21:18 (permalink)
    Ahh, yes, thanks for reminding me.  It's 64bit (Windows 8 Professional). 

    Sonica Labs (Q6600 Quad Core, 8GB, 500GB OS, 500 GB Audio, 500 GB Samples, 2TB Backup) 
    Windows 8.1 Enterprise
    2X Presonus Firestudio Projects, daisy-chained, using Universal Driver 1.7
    Sonar Platinum
    M-Audio Oxygen 88, Lots of EastWest using Play 4.2
     
    #3
    stevec
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    Re: Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK? 2013/12/28 19:48:17 (permalink)
    FWIW I'm running X3 on a Q9300 (2.5 GHz) w/ 8GB RAM with no issues.  Obviously there's a resource ceiling with an older system, but I'm able to run X3 with multiple VSTi's and a good number of FX plugins.  This is with a Focusrite 18i6 so latency is decent as well.
     
     

    SteveC
    https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi
    http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163
     
    SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors;
    Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO);
    Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
     
    #4
    Blades
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    Re: Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK? 2013/12/28 20:38:38 (permalink)
    I have a core2quad 9400 w/4gb of RAM running Win8.1 Pro with a Layla 3G PCI sound card, multiple 7200RPM drives (1 for OS, 1 for VST and such, and 1 for projects) and I'm still OK with my performance.  I don't have huge demands, but I can still run at pretty low latency and can run a respectable number of tracks with fx, softsynths, etc.  I'd like to add some RAM, but can't justify the cost at the moment - RAM is on the high side right now.  Would love a new soundcard or at least for Echo to update the drivers for the Layla 3G, but I'm still pretty happy with my setup.
     
    Hope that helps.

    Blades
    www.blades.technology  - Technology Info and Tutorials for Music and Web
    #5
    jlizerbram
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    Re: Upgrading from Sonar 8.5 to X3d - Current Hardware OK? 2013/12/29 12:01:22 (permalink)
    Awesome, thanks for your input.  I'm going to give this a shot!

    Sonica Labs (Q6600 Quad Core, 8GB, 500GB OS, 500 GB Audio, 500 GB Samples, 2TB Backup) 
    Windows 8.1 Enterprise
    2X Presonus Firestudio Projects, daisy-chained, using Universal Driver 1.7
    Sonar Platinum
    M-Audio Oxygen 88, Lots of EastWest using Play 4.2
     
    #6
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