I've been using my laptop as my only DAW for a while but having recently set up a win8 partition on my desktop and am considering setting that up for DAW work as well. What I'm wondering is if X2 projects would be fairly portable between the two (assuming the same sw versions, per project folders, ect.)? If so what are the possibly problem areas (e.g. sample directory locations, vst paths, preset locations, etc.)? Any input from anyone with some experience appreciated...  

Assuming the installs are the same just use per project folders (it's on by default) for projects. That will keep all the audio in the same folder as the project files.

I transfer projects from studio to laptop on a memory stick like that.

Preset locations shouldn't make any difference as long as the presets exist and even if they don't I think the settings are carried over as well. I've never taken much notice TBH, it just works.

Great, thanks for the reply. That's what I was hoping to hear but didn't want to miss something during the new build that would keep it from working...

FastBikerBoy


Assuming the installs are the same just use per project folders (it's on by default) for projects. That will keep all the audio in the same folder as the project files.

I transfer projects from studio to laptop on a memory stick like that.

Preset locations shouldn't make any difference as long as the presets exist and even if they don't I think the settings are carried over as well. I've never taken much notice TBH, it just works.

You will have no problem ...the only issue will be organisation ....having the same project on laptop and desktop is a mess ...

Yeah, I could definitely appreciate that but I'm a hobbyist... don't normally have a bunch of projects going at once so hopefully won't be too bad. Honestly hope to just record on the desktop and do everything else on the laptop. We'll see. At least it sounds like it works well....

Zo


You will have no problem ...the only issue will be organisation ....having the same project on laptop and desktop is a mess ...

Keep careful notes when creating new presets and synth patches. It is easy to create a patch on the fly and forget to sync up the other machine. Some effects keep patches in the registry which can be a pain.

That's a good one... thanks. kinda the sort of thing I was wondering about....

scook


Keep careful notes when creating new presets and synth patches. It is easy to create a patch on the fly and forget to sync up the other machine. Some effects keep patches in the registry which can be a pain.

If you have not done it already, you might want to make sure that Windows Explorer displays hidden directories. It will make navigating places like your personal AppData directory where CW keeps SONAR config info and the system ProgramData directory where quite a few programs including CW synths keep patch info. Ultimately, you are going to have a very good understanding of where everything is laid out.

Yeah, I always do that first so will definitely keep tabs on it. Thx

scook


If you have not done it already, you might want to make sure that Windows Explorer displays hidden directories. It will make navigating places like your personal AppData directory where CW keeps SONAR config info and the system ProgramData directory where quite a few programs including CW synths keep patch info. Ultimately, you are going to have a very good understanding of where everything is laid out.

I have been using a laptop for live and transfering to home DAW for a few years. I have never lost a file or gotten anything mixed up. 
Personally I avoid trusting Sonar's file system to put things where I want them so I do this, it takes a few minutes before the live session. 

Using Windows create a main containment folder , this we could call the Album folder. Use the date in the name =  Album- Laptop- Sept 12,2012. 
Open it and now make a new folder and name it for each song you are about to record. 

Open Sonar, open and modify the template that will suite the job. 
Now before you do anything do a "save as" CWP for each song and direct it to the folders you made. Name the CWP same as the folder it's in ( obviously)  . Check the - keep audio option. 

Now I am ready to record with no distraction. If more than one take is made then do another "save as" . 

When the night is over copy the containment folder to a external drive and take it home. 

Copy it to the home DAW and rename it-  Album-Studio- Sept 13 2012. 
You will want to back up the songs as you go so you will drag and drop the "Album-Studio- sept 13 2012'  back to the external drive.  you'll easily know which was raw and which was edited. Now you have 4 copies of the songs on 3 drives.  

The thing is to always clearly name and date the containment folder. 

If your only dealing with one song then use the same rule and use the date and the "laptop" "studio" labels in the name. 



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