When I built my music computer I dedicated it to the task of recording and mixing music. I read all sorts of performance tips for making it run more efficiently. There is a lot of advice about disabling network cards and unnecessary background services etc. Now it seems that more software cannot be authorized without an internet connection and now there's Gobbler and youtube readiness from Sonar itself. Does everybody have live internet running simultaneously with there DAW? My computer has never seen the internet, I have dedicated machines for that. I had to do a big workaround to get my ADrums to authorize without a connection and now if I upgrade to x3 will I hope I won't have to have a connection for that?  I can live without the Gobbler Youtube stuff. Just curious.

Hi Pauxier, the problem with such a busy forum is that threads get pushed down far too quickly...
 
We've only recently been having such a debate, see this earlier thread:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Taming-the-Internet-m2897887.aspx
 
My issues are around security & having a streamlined machine with minimal services running as I disable any services which aren't required.
 
There are a number of really good online guides which explain exactly the steps needed, so that you can have a minimal running but stable working Windows XP, Vista & 7 machines.

Tbh, if the internet is only used on the DAW to connect to sites you completely trust such as Sonar etc then it's incredibly unlikely you will ever have any issues IMO, especially with an Ethernet connection. Wifi can cause issues.

I've never had a DAW computer that isn't connected to the internet as I believe it's a major PITA for the reasons you stated above. 15 years, no problems.

If however you are partial to a bit of 'Busty Nora' then you probably would be better having a 'puter dedicated to that. ;-)

wizard71
Tbh, if the internet is only used on the DAW to connect to sites you completely trust such as Sonar etc then it's incredibly unlikely you will ever have any issues IMO, especially with an Ethernet connection. Wifi can cause issues.

I've never had a DAW computer that isn't connected to the internet as I believe it's a major PITA for the reasons you stated above. 

+Bapu

bapu

wizard71
Tbh, if the internet is only used on the DAW to connect to sites you completely trust such as Sonar etc then it's incredibly unlikely you will ever have any issues IMO, especially with an Ethernet connection. Wifi can cause issues.

I've never had a DAW computer that isn't connected to the internet as I believe it's a major PITA for the reasons you stated above. 

+Bapu

+cc too...always been connected...no issues...

My music computer was hooked up to the internet today - but I plugged it in.  Otherwise, no.  A usb thumb drive gives me access to this internet connection too, for small files.
 
@

The ONLY internet I have is my phone. So I understand where you're coming from.

There is some risk of virus infection with an internet connection, but that can generally be managed by watching where you put your browser and using antimalware while on line.
 
Where you will sometimes run into problems with internet connections is when programs you have installed are set to call home for some reason. A well meaning software vendor may have his stuff set up to automatically download and install updates etc. in the background, thinking that there is lots of dead CPU time between posts to YouTube or while typing in your word processor. This activity is deliberately hidden from the user, and for most things is not a problem. But if it hogs resources while you are trying to do real time audio processing, it can be a problem. And if it changes your system so that it breaks compatibility with other software, it can cause you hours of frustration because you do not realize that anything has changed.

So, will I be able to authorize Addictive Drums without an internet connection? I guess it's not a big deal if I can't, but I'd like to see what it's like.

On my DAW PC, I keep the network card disabled and only ever enable it for brief periods whenever some software needs to be authorised.  There is no antivirus software running.