emwhy
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Windows 10....should I make the switch?
I've been running 7 since it came out, outside of some of the more obvious issues with 10 like shutting off the updates and recent various SONAR bugs that seem to have been fixed should I make the upgrade? Are there any decent and notable performance improvements I might see?
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:12:51
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I did and for me its been outstanding. Windows 10 has been a joy to use. I have it on my laptop, my tablet and my desktop. The only machine I don't have it on is an old laptop that can't handle it.
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Zargg
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:17:18
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Hi. I agree with John. Been using Win 10 since it came out, and I haven't had any issues in my studio. I think Win 10 is even better than Win 7, and a little snappier to use.
But I think it would depend some on your hardware (Audio Interface, graphic card drivers etc.), and what is supported in Win 10.
All the best.
Ken Nilsen ZarggBBZWin 10 Pro X64, Cakewalk by Bandlab, SPlat X64, AMD AM3+ fx-8320, 16Gb RAM, RME Ucx (+ ARC), Tascam FW 1884, M-Audio Keystation 61es, *AKAI MPK Pro 25, *Softube Console1, Alesis DM6 USB, Maschine MkII Laptop setup: Win 10 X64, i5 2.4ghz, 8gb RAM, 320gb 7200 RPM HD, Focusrite Solo, + *
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emwhy
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:22:43
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The only thing I have that is outdated and I barely use in my M Audio 2496. At this point it's a spare soundcard on my machine. Everything else I have is supported. Does SONAR perform better with 10...ie RAM usage CPU etc?
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Zargg
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:34:48
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emwhy
The only thing I have that is outdated and I barely use in my M Audio 2496. At this point it's a spare soundcard on my machine. Everything else I have is supported. Does SONAR perform better with 10...ie RAM usage CPU etc?
In my opinion SONAR performs better on Win 10. But that could be down to both Win 10 and SONAR updates.
Ken Nilsen ZarggBBZWin 10 Pro X64, Cakewalk by Bandlab, SPlat X64, AMD AM3+ fx-8320, 16Gb RAM, RME Ucx (+ ARC), Tascam FW 1884, M-Audio Keystation 61es, *AKAI MPK Pro 25, *Softube Console1, Alesis DM6 USB, Maschine MkII Laptop setup: Win 10 X64, i5 2.4ghz, 8gb RAM, 320gb 7200 RPM HD, Focusrite Solo, + *
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Anderton
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:37:46
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Zargg
In my opinion SONAR performs better on Win 10. But that could be down to both Win 10 and SONAR updates.
I agree. Windows 10 has made improvements, and SONAR has taken advantage of them. The reality is Windows 7 is doomed...sooner or later you'll need to join the Windows 10 world. The sooner you do it, the less disruption you'll have overall.
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:40:31
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emwhy
The only thing I have that is outdated and I barely use in my M Audio 2496. At this point it's a spare soundcard on my machine. Everything else I have is supported. Does SONAR perform better with 10...ie RAM usage CPU etc?
As Ken said it really is a better OS. Sonar is coded for Windows 10. It will run on older OSs but it runs best on Windows 10.
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shawn@trustmedia.tv
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:40:57
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Studio SONAR X3. Axiom 25 midi controller, DUNE 2, Producer Content, Good Times, Bandlab Mojo 
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emwhy
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:46:28
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Back in 2015 I downloaded the .iso of the RTM version. I have an older HD with 7 on it so I think I can just update that drive and test things out before doing things "for real". I agree 7 is doomed, been on it longer than I was on XP!
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Cactus Music
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 11:57:56
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And it's still free if you don't mind a small cheat. https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/accessibility/windows10upgrade Download the ISO image from the MS site, don't use the online installer, it stalls. Install Start a Chat with MS support Tell them you use the Magnifier all the time and give them your W7 serial # Done.
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hockeyjx
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 12:13:10
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The really big thing is that all of your hardware (meaning the computer and audio interface ...even MIDI controller), are Windows 10 compatible. The one downside is that if there is not a native driver, it will put one it thinks is best, and that *potentially* can cause you issues. Do your research before upgrading!
I am a WIN10 fan, but I have no reason to upgrade currently on my DAW. When a component kicks the bucket, I definitely will switch my DAW.
Intel i7 950 Proc, Asus Sabertooth x58 MB, 2 Crucial 128GB SSDs and Seagate 1TBGB drive, 12GB Corsair 1600mhz 8-8-8-24 Memory, Nvidia GeForece 8400 Dual Monitor vid card
Cooler Master Silent Pro 700w Power Supply, Cooler Master Sileo 500
Win 7 64 bit, SPlat 64-bit, Komplete 10 Ultimate, AmpliTube3 and AD2 Tascam FW-1884 and AKAI MPK-49
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karma1959
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 12:21:28
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Ultimately I think you'll have to, it's more a matter of selecting when it's most convenient for you.
FWIW, all development within MS is focused on Win10 and not on previous versions, so you'll only get critical vulnerability patches for Win7 and nothing else going forward.
Sonar Platinum x64 on Win10 64, Dell T7400 w/ 8 Xeon cores, 8 Gbyte RAM, 3 hard drives, RME Fireface UFX, UAD-1, Mackie Control, Adam A7X
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Tim Flannagin
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 12:22:26
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Unless you have a key piece of hardware that doesn't have available Win10 drivers, I'd change. My rigs (Desktop & Laptop) have never run smoother since upgrading.
Dell Precision T5400, 2 Xeon E5420 CPUs, 32 GB ram, 1 X 750 GB HDD, 2 X 1TB HDD, Nvidia GTX750 , M-Audio 1010LT, Roland GR-55, Novation SL MKII 49 , Arturia MiniLab, Arturia Spark Creative Drum Controller, '77 Gibson Les Paul Artistan, Epiphone Les Paul Studio w/ GK-3, Fender Stratocaster, Dean Exotica Acoustic, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum Lifetime, Arturia Synths galore!, Cakewalk Synths galore!, M-Audio BX-5a monitors, a couple of cheap mikes, a dubious quality desk, several shady characters hanging in the studio, etc....
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jadonx
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 16:47:30
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I came from Vista  and love it 
Windows 10 64bit Sonar platinum(rolling updates..latest version) Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2nd gen Yamaha HS5 monitors Laptop Intel i7 12GB ram Guitars(elec/acoustic 6/12 string),keyboards(Yamaha p115,oxygen49),harmonica,bass hobbyist
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berlymahn
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 17:02:46
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On Win 7 Home Pro with an offline machine (i7-970 processor) that has never been updated from the day I installed from the disk.
Everything runs as it always has.....except the theme editor, which I don't care about.
Never an issue. More music floating through my head then I can write.
So, ya know the saying: If it ain't, then don't.
Maybe someday if I build a new box, but for now all'swell.
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 17:23:25
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There is another saying "you don't know what you are missing".
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S.L.I.P.
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 17:32:33
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hockeyjx
The really big thing is that all of your hardware (meaning the computer and audio interface ...even MIDI controller), are Windows 10 compatible. The one downside is that if there is not a native driver, it will put one it thinks is best, and that *potentially* can cause you issues. Do your research before upgrading!
I am a WIN10 fan, but I have no reason to upgrade currently on my DAW. When a component kicks the bucket, I definitely will switch my DAW.
Yes, to me this is the biggest issue. I have the PCR 800, and Roland doesn't have a Win 10 driver, which I found out after I upgraded. Luckily one of our forum friends hacked the driver, and gave out step by step details, which worked!
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MandolinPicker
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/30 21:14:26
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While I agree that Windows 10 is better than what came before it, there are some things that you need to be aware of. - Windows constantly reports home, plus Microsoft has never specifically stated what data they are collecting and what they do with it. They state that it is to help 'improve' the software, but what is collected is kept close to the vest. This is a big privacy issue for a number of users/potential users.
- Windows 10 will update and restart when it wants, not when you want it to. Windows 10 will do forced updates, and Microsoft has been actively working to close any loopholes that folks have used in the past (such as setting metered connections to 'ON' or making changes to the registry). This can (and likely will) cause you some headaches. And Microsoft has no intention of changing how it does updates. For more on this, see this article at C|Net - https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-windows-10-forced-updates-auto-restarts-are-the-worst/
- Updates to Windows 10 can break your audio recording system. Just within the past few weeks there was an update that affected many of the users here in the forums (here is one of the threads on the issue - http://forum.cakewalk.com/1317-Update-Instability-with-certain-Cakewalk-plugins-after-recent-Windows-10-updates-m3526221.aspx). At first, it was suspected that SONAR was to blame, but eventually it was determined that the culprit was actually a windows update. It was a major headache for a number of SONAR users, and it did not flow any blessings on the bakers either.
One option to consider. Some of us keep our DAW offline, so that way Windows never phones home or does an update. We use the DAW computer just for recording, nothing else. This also has the benefit of turning off certain things, like networking and anti-virus. This can help the system run a bit faster, although with today's machines it is not as big a deal as it use to be. The biggest benefit is that once we have a stable system, we know it will stay that way. Updates to SONAR can be downloaded on another computer and then transferred by flash drive to the DAW. It is a simple process. I use Linux to go online and do all my stuff, while Windows just works the DAW and stays offline. As you have seen above, a number of folks above have had good experiences, but some have not. As always, your mileage may vary....
The Mandolin Picker "Bless your hearts... and all your vital organs" - John Duffy "Got time to breath, got time for music!"- Briscoe Darling, Jr. Windows 8.1, Sonar Platinum (64-bit), AMD FX 6120 Six-Core, 10GB RAM
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mudgel
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 07:11:34
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I agree as well. Upgrade to Win 10. It s a very audio friendly OS.
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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berlymahn
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 11:24:56
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@John .... I here ya. I have a Windows 10 machine also; it's just not a DAW. 1st impression with Win10 is the imposition of Microsoft to update and dumb down the user. I really like knowing what the OS is doing and to have full control over it.
I love Win7. Never had one issue with it since the initial disk build (knock on wood). One thing that really helped me is making the machine offline (no virus protection bloat needed), and I have performed an goodly number of system process reduction modifications to limit the plethora of system distractions (CAC Card reader, Core parking, etc.). So, all's been well.
I have not seen any hard Win10 facts in this thread that back up the claim that Win10 is a better DAW OS. I'll concede it probably does have better plug n play readiness, etc., but does anyone have good detail on actual OS [only] specific improvements to audio processing. By that, I mean the OS, not vendor drivers.
Not challenging anyone's opinion of their OS, if ya love Win10, then great. I'm just saying that my Win7 does everything I need, and I can't imagine any improvement by switching OS.
I am looking forward to Jan SPLAT.
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 13:56:45
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I have it on three machines and not one time did I run into any problem due to updates. This really is a none issue. One thing I do is check for updates which means I am rarely surprised by an update. The few times Windows updated itself it was done in the background and never interfered with what I was doing with the machine. Normally Windows is smart enough to update when the machine is not in use. Another thing Windows does its updates in small pieces stopping when the machine is doing something. It isn't going to restart in the middle of one doing a task. Further, it asks if it needs to restart due to an update.
I am in control of my machines to great degree. I wouldn't have it any other way. Yet I like Windows Defender doing background scanning and reporting its results. It never interferes with any ongoing process. I don't think Sonar ever knows that its files are being watched.
Also you are thinking in a Windows 7 way. Windows 10 is a completely different beast. It is a very smart beautiful OS. Plus these updates are more or less all about fixing bugs. They are not about MS wanting to add stuff for no good reason. MS is still getting feedback on things that should be improved and things that need further development. They have a huge beta testing force in the form of previews that are run on much the same demographics as the final release version that you and I have. We are not using the latest version but months and years behind the previews. No other OS is tested as much as Windows 10.
If you have a fair to well running Windows machine than updates should never be a problem.
Windows is the biggest target of hackers worldwide. MS is in a war with them. One very important tool MS has is its constant updating to help thwart would be hackers. Its not just defender that is being updated but Windows itself to plug holes and shut down access to your machine.
The whole issue about updates being an issue is way overblown.
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jpetersen
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 15:04:01
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Has anyone done some objective tests? Can you run more fx/vst? (no fair comparing a 7-year-old Win7 PC with a new Win10) I got a new Win10 HP but dread transferring all my stuff (only SPlat so far). I still have a Win98 PC. It boots in 4 seconds and shuts down in one. And I type just as fast as on my Win10 HP.
post edited by jpetersen - 2017/01/31 15:25:12
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 15:22:44
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jpetersen
Has anyone done some objective tests? Can you run more fx/vst?
(no fair comparing a 7-year-old Win7 PC with a new Win10)
I got a new Win10 HP but dread transferring all my stuff (only SPlat so far).
I still have a Win98 PC. It boots in 7 seconds and shuts down in one.
And I type just as fast as on my Win10 HP.
Thats a good question. I don't have any data to offer but I can say all my audio apps such as Sonar Platinum, Studio One 3, Traction 7 and FL Studio 12. They all run better with fewer glitches. I didn't mention Soundforge 11 because it runs on most anything and its a 32 bit app. I also do video and Windows 10 shines in supporting Vegas Pro. The second part re, not fair; seems ridiculous considering this is all about Win 7 v Win 10. Of course you make a good point that time has moved on. Windows 7 is an obsolete OS.
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jpetersen
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 15:33:46
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How do you mean, glitch-free?
Can I reduce buffer size to attain same glitch-free operation?
I am trying to get a handle on exactly what is better.
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Brando
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 15:49:24
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Brando
Cakewalk, Studio One Pro, Reaper Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL ASUS Prime Z370-A LGA1151, 32GB DDR4, Intel 8700K i7, 500 GB SSD, 3 x 1TB HDD, Windows 10 Pro 64
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 15:53:22
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I run the same basic setup I have for a long time. Thats because the hardware has not changed only the OS. Glitches means dropouts, zipper noise. static and anything that cause an unpleasant experience.
Most everyone that upgrades to Windows 10 say the same things as to how well it works. You've read this thread and its in favor of upgrading as a consensus. BTW many of us do all sorts of things with our computers. Not just DAW work. Windows 10 works well with all sorts of tasks. Its better for DAWs because MS put some real effort in optimizing audio in Win 10 as well as MIDI. CW has taken advantage of this too.
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jpetersen
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 16:11:01
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John
I run the same basic setup I have for a long time. Thats because the hardware has not changed only the OS. Glitches means dropouts, zipper noise. static and anything that cause an unpleasant experience.
H'm. Can't say I have that on my Win7 PC. But I don't do video as you do. In fact I still use my old atom-powered XP netbook to record up to 28 tracks audio simultaneously (Sonar 8.5 with Tascam 1641 + 1800 into ASIO4All) John
BTW many of us do all sorts of things with our computers. Not just DAW work.
Yes. And as over the years we install more stuff, we don't notice booting gets slower and performance more sluggish. What worries me is we deceive ourselves when we get a freshly installed machine and then we go - Wow! Fast!
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John
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 16:35:09
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jpetersen
John
I run the same basic setup I have for a long time. Thats because the hardware has not changed only the OS. Glitches means dropouts, zipper noise. static and anything that cause an unpleasant experience.
H'm. Can't say I have that on my Win7 PC. But I don't do video as you do.
In fact I still use my old atom-powered XP netbook to record up to 28 tracks audio simultaneously (Sonar 8.5 with Tascam 1641 + 1800 into ASIO4All)
John
BTW many of us do all sorts of things with our computers. Not just DAW work.
Yes. And as over the years we install more stuff, we don't notice booting gets slower and performance more sluggish. What worries me is we deceive ourselves when we get a freshly installed machine and then we go - Wow! Fast!
You make good points. But the same applies to old OSs.
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jpetersen
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 16:47:15
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berlymahn
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Re: Windows 10....should I make the switch?
2017/01/31 17:09:48
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Agree Win7 support is going to go away, but that means nada to me. Everything in SPLAT runs just fine.
I have no glitches, crashes, etc, and I run heavy projects with loads of synths (unfrozen) and heavy processor effects. And the crazy thing is that I am running Win7 out of the box. No updates. (again - on an offline system). I would say that's a hellofva complement to Cakewalk for ensuring backward compatibility (whether by accident or on purpose - Ha!)
I have heard a number of "it's a great OS" comments on this thread (and I believe you - I have a Win 10 machine, so I am familiar with the OS), but I have not seen specific performance facts that support the original question of: "Are there any decent and notable performance improvements I might see?"
From a user standpoint, the HSI of Win 7 is just as good as Win 10, and I see no lag in performance.
Like I said, if I go with a big job of moving to a new DAW machine, then I'll probably move to the new OS. But for now I've seen no specific functionality gain supporting the move.
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