Heinbokel
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What can I do for better performance in X1?
Basically I'm looking for a decent soundcard. I'm using an X-FI titanium soundblaster. I know, really stupid choice. But I haven't been able to find what I need. I'm just looking for something that will be powerful enough to play back orchestral midi sequences, consisting of dozens of tracks. I'm not sure what to get. Do I need an Audio interface? An internal sound card? What? I also just bought a laptop with integrated sound, so should I get an audio interface for that? I'm using Sonar X1 with a lot of East West VSTs. I don't record much at all, I just do midi sequencing for the most part.
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AT
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 19:06:57
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Well, midi sequencing of soft synths is the most intensive way to make sound. So you would need an interface w/ good drivers, stereo audio i/o, and midi.
Yes, you need a pro interface to do that well. RME would fit the bill. If that is too much pricewise, I'm sure others will pop in w/ interfaces they are familiar w/. USB is prefered, until they start using thunderbolt (again, expensive).
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http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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Beepster
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 19:09:33
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Hi there. First off with a laptop (and in general) you should start looking to get an external interface. There are many out there at many different price points. I'd say list your computer specs, what your price range is and what exactly your needs are. Then the kind folks on the forum can help you better. Cheers and good luck.
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Heinbokel
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 20:02:45
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My desktop specs are: Windows 7 64 bit 2TB HD @ 7200RPM 8GB RAM AMD Athlon IIX4 635 Processor 2.9 GHZ So do external audio interfaces function as sound cards? I'm new to the whole technology of it. I've heard RME are great, I was kind of just torn between a regular sound card or an audio interface. Let's base my needs solely on sequencing orchestral works for films/demos.
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Heinbokel
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 20:08:57
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oh and I'm looking around 200-300 dollars for now, so probably nothing spectacular.
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Beepster
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 21:13:56
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Okay... that's a great start. How many inputs/outputs do you need? What external instrument/devices do you plan to hook up to the system? Do you need to hook up any old keyboards or other external hardware via old school MIDI cables?
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Heinbokel
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/01 22:21:24
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I just have a midi keyboard/controller and a microphone.
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Beepster
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 00:05:23
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☄ Helpful
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chuckebaby
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 00:31:46
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is that 2 tb the only hard drive your using?
sonar runs much better on smaller hard drives.(320 GB)
putting everything on a 2 tb hd and expecting sonar to move around all the sectors at lighning speed(like its supposed to ) is going to be hit or miss.
i use the smaller hd for sonar and keep projects sample librarys,exc on my 1 tb.
Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64 Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GBFocusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
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Beepster
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 00:42:48
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Good point, chuck. I missed that... but I miss a lot.
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Heinbokel
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 01:08:54
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Thanks, you're awesome. I'll have a look at all of those tonight.
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Beepster
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 01:31:54
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No problem. I am however a n00b so really those suggestions are meant to just push you in the right direction. By most accounts though those should be pretty solid. Also look into a proper program drive as chuckebaby suggested. He is much smarter than I. 2 TB is too big. You'll probably want 500GB or less for your programs to live on. Good luck.
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 04:15:58
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What Beepster & chuckebaby really mean is that you'll want to augment you existing Hard Drive with an additional1, possibly 2 further drives.
I say keep the 2TB (unless you want to go through the hassle of reinstalling EVERYTHING, including Windows, Sonar, and all your other software.
You mentioned you're using EWQLO so in this scenario, I'd definitely go for an additional 2 drives
1 - OS & Programs - 'C'
2 - Cakewalk Projects = 'D'
3 - Sample Libraries (NOT the programs, just the samples) - 'E'
Simply install them in your machine and boot up.
Now you can cut & paste from your existing C drive to D (Projects), C to E (Samples)
Now in Sonar, all you have to do is to repoint the location of all the samples you've moved and update your "Folder Locations" list
Don't be tempted to buy any sort of 'Green' drive. WD Caviar Blacks are perfect for this.
CbB, Platinum, 64 bit throughoutCustom built i7 3930, 32Gb RAM, 2 x 1Tb Internal HDD, 1 x 1TB system SSD (Win 7), 1 x 500Gb system SSD (Win 10), 2 x 1Tb External HDD's, Dual boot Win 7 & Win 10 64 Bit, Saffire Pro 26, ISA One, Adam P11A,
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Guitarhacker
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Re:What can I do for better performance in X1?
2012/07/02 08:22:10
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Heinbokel
Basically I'm looking for a decent soundcard. I'm using an X-FI titanium soundblaster. I know, really stupid choice. But I haven't been able to find what I need. I'm just looking for something that will be powerful enough to play back orchestral midi sequences, consisting of dozens of tracks. I'm not sure what to get. Do I need an Audio interface? An internal sound card? What? I also just bought a laptop with integrated sound, so should I get an audio interface for that? I'm using Sonar X1 with a lot of East West VSTs. I don't record much at all, I just do midi sequencing for the most part.
If you get a nice EXTERNAL audio interface (USB connected) it can work on both the desktop and the lappy. I do this very thing. The specs of the computer are important. you said you wanted to run DOZENS OF (midi/VST) TRACKS..... and with EWQL and similar synths, this will require a pretty hefty computer with tons of memory and fast processors. I think bouncing to audio might be required to keep everything running smooth,,,,, it;s a hard job to run dozens of synths in real time. Decide how many channels you need in the sound card and features you will need in it..... then go from there. See what others here are using. Especially look at the interfaces that the long time users are using. We use what we use because it works well, is solid, reliable, and does the job. Several large drives... internal and external will also be a good idea.
post edited by Guitarhacker - 2012/07/02 08:23:46
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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