Windows 7 - anyone using?

Anyone using Windows 7 beta with Sonar? Is it/will it be ok?

John

Hi,

There have been a few postings on here concerning Windows 7, pretty much all of it very positive.
There's a thread here with a few comments in, including my own.

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1769661&mpage=1&key=�

Thanks,

Eric

The issue is not so much whether Sonar will run under Windows7, its whether your soundcard's drivers will work. Download the Windows7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft and it will tell whether you're going to have problems. I ran it and it told me my M-Audio Delta44 was not going to work. I checked with M-Audio and they are still working on the Windows7 drivers.

I only ran a smallish test just opening up an older project seeing if it would even play. It played. That was the extent of my Sonar/Win 7 test. But I wouldn't have been able to do even that if Sonic Core hadn't just released updated Vista drivers for their Scope cards. So Dave's comment rings true. Also found out that my iLok wouldn't work and Pace had no formal word on when they would have updated drivers for Win7 so that was pretty much the end of that for the time being.

The little bit of poking around I did only added to some confusion about the GUI and the placement of features. The move from XP to Vista seemed less confusing to me (I'm still using XP for audio work). With Win7, I had a harder time finding often used commands, icons and features that I was used to in XP. Vista seemed more like XP with a lot of window dressing. Win 7 seems more like a departure from the old ways of doing things (interface-wise). I assumed it was just an adjustment period - getting used to the new way of doing things vs. the old way. There seems to be a lot to like about Win7 and if it's a step in the right direction for us as DAW users then great. I'm all for it. If it's much to do about nuthin' (kinda what Vista seemed like to me personally), then oh well. I fall into the camp of those who don't have any issue at all with XP. But I'm not a power user.

Thanks. Interesting that Dave's post says Delta 44 might not work but the other thread linked above carries a post of somene saying their Delta 1010 worked ok. I have a Delta 66. It seems Melodyne doesn't work properly under Win7, which I use. I think the answer is to hang fire for a few months yet!

MOTU 2408 mk3 and Windows 7 64 bit/Sonar 32 bit working well here, so far.

Mahlon

Probably a good idea to wait a little. However, I expect that developers of both hardware and software are working towards the Win7 release as it has become so popular even before it hits the shelves. When Vista came, no one seemed to want to develope anything for it.

I've just briefly tried Sonar on a computer with Win7x86 installed and it was pretty good as far as I can tell. But a friend of mine who runs a Samplitude based commercial studio have installed Win7x64 with RME interfaces and apparently it works so well that he thinks everyone should do the same he he

Also, keep in mind that you will not be able to upgrade to Windows7 from XP. You have to do a clean installation meaning you will have to backup all your data and reinstall all of your apps. So if you install it now, you'll have to do it again once the Windows7 RC license runs out which I think is in March 2010. What I plan to do is to get another disk drive and install Windows7 on the new drive and make my old system drive a d: drive until I'm sure I've moved everything over to the new system. That way I'll be able to boot from the XP drive if there's any apps that won't work. You may not need to do that if you get Windows7 Professional because it has a version of XP that will run on a Virtual Machine, assuming your computer has the right processor.

Windows7 Professional because it has a version of XP that will run on a Virtual Machine, assuming your computer has the right processor.

I preordered W7Pro. Which processors in the Qseries work? Q6600?

ORIGINAL: daveny5

Also, keep in mind that you will not be able to upgrade to Windows7 from XP. You have to do a clean installation meaning you will have to backup all your data and reinstall all of your apps. So if you install it now, you'll have to do it again once the Windows7 RC license runs out which I think is in March 2010. What I plan to do is to get another disk drive and install Windows7 on the new drive and make my old system drive a d: drive until I'm sure I've moved everything over to the new system. That way I'll be able to boot from the XP drive if there's any apps that won't work. You may not need to do that if you get Windows7 Professional because it has a version of XP that will run on a Virtual Machine, assuming your computer has the right processor.

Oh, good grief! A few weeks ago I spent days installing all my stuff on my new DAW. I don't think I'l have the energy to do all that again for some time! Another reason to wait a year!

John

I'm in IT and have MS Technet, so I am currently running the RTM Windows 7 Enterprise.  (Same as Ultimate)  This is what is going to manufacturers for October release.
 
I have a MOTU 828mk3.  MOTU does not have any Windows 7 drivers currently listed, so I downloaded the 32 and 64 bit Vista drivers.  On a 64 bit Windows 7 installation, the MOTU Vista drivers choke it, it does not finish the install, and you cannot back out and get rid of it  For now, I formatted, installed 32 bit Windows 7, it likes the MOTU 32 bit Vista drivers, and Sonar 8 Producer is just fine with Windows 7.  When MOTU steps up and goes gold with their drivers, I'll probably go back to 64 bit but for now, all's well on RTM.

Weird that the 828 is not working. My 2408 mk3 is working fine with Windows 7 64 and Vista 64 drivers. I'm running Sonar 32 bit, though, at the moment.

Mahlon

daveny5


Also, keep in mind that you will not be able to upgrade to Windows7 from XP. You have to do a clean installation meaning you will have to backup all your data and reinstall all of your apps. So if you install it now, you'll have to do it again once the Windows7 RC license runs out which I think is in March 2010. What I plan to do is to get another disk drive and install Windows7 on the new drive and make my old system drive a d: drive until I'm sure I've moved everything over to the new system. That way I'll be able to boot from the XP drive if there's any apps that won't work. You may not need to do that if you get Windows7 Professional because it has a version of XP that will run on a Virtual Machine, assuming your computer has the right processor.

Uh... well, be careful about such a blanket statement. You can run a multi-boot system with Win 7 easily.

I almost fell for the special offer ($$ savings on Win7) but decided to wait for a year or so  because of financial reasons and hardware driver concerns and also because what I'm currently using (XP with Quad Core PC) all works great, superduper fabulously awesomely fast. What I wish it could do for my wife and I is the housework, cook and hand out meals, bring out the snacks, brew fresh pots of coffee and tea and clean up afterward.... can Win7 do all that? :-P ;-)

SongCraft, as a matter of fact ......yes it can.  It's just not in the Docs.
 
:-)

Hi John.  Here's what I posted in that other thread Eric linked to:

I have Windows 7 RC 32-bit running on a test machine. SONAR 8 PE 8.3 runs fine.

I really like Win 7 so far.

Be aware that you asked in your question about Windows 7 Beta.  They are well past that, to the free RC (release candidate).  And there was a press release in mid July that said OEM versions were already being sent to PC manufacturers so that the new OS will be ready for sale on machines when actually released in October.

I am running a system with Win 7. Core i7 64 bit. Prosonus FP10. Drivers no problem.  All drivers that worked with Vista 64 would work on Win7. Many synths are the problem. Whatever is wrong is not the fault of Win7. I just love it. While simple synth edit synths work peefectly. many others simply don't. For eg. my DR008 don't work. The CMPlay don't work - but what do I expect from a free synth? I got the Wusik in the last group buy and it makes up for any other synth that was a problem. The greatest thing about my Win 7 is that I have not yet succeeded in stretching it so far I had to freeze a synth. I am working with EWQLSO and the Aria engine. I just keep on loading more and more instanses and it just keep going. Add another instance of Wusic - no problem. Add another instance of EWQL - no problem. It just keep going.

When win 7 officially comes out it will be the greatest success MS had in - what 2 years? With all the hype it must be good. Well, I have been using it for a while now and I say yeah. Sonar must just get the bit bridge to really work, then it would be realy good.

Running Sonar 8.3.1 with Windows 7 RC. I also use Sonar with an M-Audio 1814 Firewire Audio device. The drivers are available as public beta at the m-audio site. ASIO works fine . WDM works fine except for a few quirks.

My PC runs Intel i7 Quad 2.6 (8 cores with hyperthreading) and currently have 6 GB of DDR3 ram for the time being.

So far so good!! and this is all beta testing environment. I cant wait for when Windows 7 is all out and the full m-audio drivers.

I forgot to mention that I run Windows 7 64 and Sonar 8 64.

I run windows 7 on my mac with sonar on it. Runs perfectly.

I have to admit that I have been getting rare BSOD's someties with softsynths (a particular softsynth that BSOD's on my is Synplant). But I havent tried Synplant with 8.3.1. It BSOD's on me  when I was on 8.0 .... so I'll try it out again.

But then again, I got the same BSOD using deckadance while populating the mp3 list.

The BSOD just explained a bunch of technical jabber and then at the end it starts a memory dump.

It could be:

- An issue with Windows 7 since it is still RC
- An issue with my M-Audio 1814 FW card since the drivers are beta

Am running Windows 7 and Vista Ultimate (dual-boot) on my new Laptop and I'm TOTALLY IMPRESSED.  Sonar works great with it too.  I've been a DIE-HARD Mac User for years and normally always use my G5 system for recording - set up my interface, drivers, some software, etc on the laptop and Windows 7  is really a beautiful OS.  First Windows version to impress me.  Hell since I installed 7 I haven't used my Mac at all - I might switch back! 

under Win XP 32bit, I have HDD load about 60% when looping section of 13, 24bit audio tracks (drums mics). I have to set I/O Read buffer to 256 in order to prevent dropouts.

under win 7, 32bit, RC, the same set of tracks, the same project, the same ASIO and sonar settings and only 30% HDD usage :) with NO I/O buffer

I am looking forward to Windows 7 64bit and Sonar 8+x :)

strangedogs


Hell since I installed 7 I haven't used my Mac at all - I might switch back! 

I'm looking forward to the "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" commercials after Windows 7 comes out.  Oh wait a second...no I'm not - those commercials are annoying and the Mac guy is a bigger dork than the PC guy is - who do they think they're kidding?

But, on a serious and related note, I pre-ordered W7 for both my desktop and laptop and am getting a little anxious for it (currently on Vista Ultimate/Home Premium, both 32-bit).  I'm a bit concerned to hear that the MOTU drivers aren't up to snuff on 64-bit because I'm intending to reformat my system drives and start fresh with 64-bit installations.  Hopefully, MOTU will update their drivers before then - I've got an 828mkII.

I am running win7 ultimate 64 bit and Sonar 8.3.1 64 bit ,and works fine.  I have for the last four yrs, been using an EMU 1820m and when I switched to win 7 they ( of course ) had no drivers so I used the vista 64 bit drivers and it worked okay.  That is, until the PCIe card finally died a couple weeks ago.  So now I think I might get the v studio 100, and just use the vista 64 bit drivers for it as well.  Hopefully that will work.  Other than that, I love win 7.  I have not had any other compatibility issues with any other hardware or software.

AMD PhenomII 965 quad, with 8Gb DDR3  2x ATI Radeon 4890 1Gb

I am running Win 7 64 bit and loving it!!!

Quick W7 question - I'm thinking of getting a 64 bit version if there is a good deal... and sitting on it a while til the dust settles.  But which version to go for?  I'm guessing at least Professional cos of accessing greater than 16gb of RAM.  Any other considerations?  Also, any drawbacks to getting an OEM version?

Wow...is that good to see that FP10 works with W7.

Thx Sepheritoh !

JR

I've been running the Win 7 64bit RC since it came out
with no problems.

Using SONAR 8.3.1.372 64 bit ... runs like a charm.

Luckily I have an ECHO Mia soundcard and the 64 bit drivers
on their website work fine.

Compatibility issues will center around the sound card drivers
and any other peripherals you may be using.

I'm new to Windows 7, too.  I recently upgraded from Windows XP 32-bit to Windows 7.  I chose the 32-bit option for my Windows 7 install, based on the recommendation of a friend who also uses Sonar 8 for his DAW.

I'm just wondering if perhaps I should have gone to 64-bit w/ W7, or if I'm better (for now?) sticking with the 32-bit. 

You can go the 64 bit route with Win 7 and run SONAR in 32 bit mode or 64 bit mode.

@emwhy - thanks!  this is the first OS i've installed, so if I run W7 as 64-bit, and then run Sonar in 64-bit, will I have any problems with loading in my current VSTs and other programs that I use w/ Sonar (or on my PC in general)?  Also, will I need to do any special tweaks in order to avoid thinks like latency or clipping?

No special tweaks, but to be safe make sure your hardware has drivers that will work with Windows 7. Also it's best at this juncture to install both versions of SONAR (32 & 64). They wont get in each others way and you'll avoid any nasty surprises with projects that might not load correctly in the 64 bit version.

Initially I had an issue with my Interface mixer (which I use as a soundcard), but I ran a patch from Alesis and it seemed to fix the issue. I love windows 7 w/ Sonar! They work great together from my vantage point, it's not without some minor flaws, but all in all it works very good. Now if I can just figure out why my exported wave & or Riff are not recognized in my burn software. Geesh.

blakjustice30


Initially I had an issue with my Interface mixer (which I use as a soundcard), but I ran a patch from Alesis and it seemed to fix the issue. I love windows 7 w/ Sonar! They work great together from my vantage point, it's not without some minor flaws, but all in all it works very good. Now if I can just figure out why my exported wave & or Riff are not recognized in my burn software. Geesh.

It could be the User Account Control Permissions issue, I posted a thread about here in the coffee House. Permissions, Permissions, Permissions.

Dimension Pro and Rapture 64 bit on Windows 7 64 bit are unstable- regular crashes- Cakewalk have obviosuly not regression tested this and yet they claim Windows 7 compatibility- rubbish.

Raised a problem report 10 days ago and no update from them since. 

Simply deasful.

Reverted back to 32 bit (on 64 bit OS).

Come on Cakewalk- give us some idea as to when you are going to sort this out!

Win 7 64 bit works a charm.  My only casualty plugin is Colortone (which I love) because Pluggo is not supported.

I recently purchased a Dell XPS 9000 with Windows 7 64 bit included and Cakewalk ALWAYS dies and the machine freezes.

I should have gotten a damn Mac!!!!!!!!


I HATE Microsoft and I hate the endless search for programs, drivers, downloads, patches and assortded BS that comes with a new OS that simply will not work.

So -- I basically have a $3,000 paperweight.

Thanks Cakewalk and thank you, Micoflacid!!!

In the Linux world we have been running 64 bit applications for years .... and they are free!

munmun


Win 7 64 bit works a charm.  My only casualty plugin is Colortone (which I love) because Pluggo is not supported.

What's your setup?

Soundcard?

I love doing a hard reboot every time I open Cakewalk sonar .... it's great!!

AndrewFiacre

munmun


Win 7 64 bit works a charm.  My only casualty plugin is Colortone (which I love) because Pluggo is not supported.

What's your setup?

Soundcard?

I love doing a hard reboot every time I open Cakewalk sonar .... it's great!!

Here you go:
 
i7 cpu with 6 GB Ram 64 bit.

I should have gotten a damn Mac!!!!!!!! I HATE Microsoft... In the Linux world we have been running 64 bit applications for years .... and they are free!

 
Begs the question: why the deuce did you buy a Wintel system if you think Macs and Linux are so great?
 
 
 
 
 
 

AndrewFiacre


I recently purchased a Dell XPS 9000 with Windows 7 64 bit included and Cakewalk ALWAYS dies and the machine freezes.

I should have gotten a damn Mac!!!!!!!!


I HATE Microsoft and I hate the endless search for programs, drivers, downloads, patches and assortded BS that comes with a new OS that simply will not work.

So -- I basically have a $3,000 paperweight.

Thanks Cakewalk and thank you, Micoflacid!!!

In the Linux world we have been running 64 bit applications for years .... and they are free!

Learning a new OS can be hard. Especially when it works differently than what you've been using and have acquired habits in usage. Are you new to Cakewalk and Sonar also? Instead of just slamming everything in frustration, maybe you should describe your current problems and seek some advice.

I can virtually guarantee it's not the Dell, W7 or Sonar.  It'll be something in your setup, and most likely your soundcard drivers.  My Dell is running 64bit W7 and both Sonar32 and Sonar64.  I have the proper 64bit drivers for the SPS-25.  Only once has it crashed severely which forced a re-install of the SPS drivers.  Any other crashes I've had (and those are now very rare) have always been due to a rogue VST.

I see the Dell comes with McAfee....

Hi there,
 
i see you seem to be running an fw 1884 with win7,  are you using the vista driver for it and if so did you have any issues?
 
Thanks up front for your comments on this.
 
Damon UK.

Hi All,
It's been 2 months since this thread was active. I too am thinking of making the jump (XP Pro to 7 Ultimate) for my desktop machine. Just curious as to what people's experience is like at this point. Like many Sonar (Producer 8.5) owners, I have a BOATLOAD of VSTs. That is my biggest fear-incompatibility of most-used plugins. I'm also using M-Audio hardware (Axiom Pro 49 and Mobile Pre) and am not very confident about THEIR Win 7 support either. I am content to stick with what works. But my (non-DAW) experience with Win 7 Ultimate on my laptop has been pretty positive so far. And it would be nice to take advantage of 64-bit on my desktop that was designed for just that. Any feedback/advice is much appreciated!
Ed

I am running Sonar 8 Producer with Windows 7 Pro on an HP laptop with 4 gigs of ram and an Intel-Core Duo processor, and have not experienced any problems apart from a slight "snap, crackle and pop" issue when using EZDrummer as a soft-synth - but after a little browsing of the web and tweaking of the audio system, that is all sorted out. After I brought it, and was on my way home, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that I had just made an R10, 000 mistake - but all for nothing, it works perfectly and smoothly!

My advice - go for it!

I run Sonar Producer 8.5.3 on Windows 7 Professional 64 bit and it works fine. My system is based on a Phenom 9650 plus 6 gigs of Ram. I use an EMU1616m as my main audio hardware, and there is a Beta driver for it for Windows 7 that seems stable. I also use a kX 3550 card with the 64 bit driver and it also works fine under Windows 7.

I also have a set of plugins and other audio software that works under Windows 7 64 bit, among them SoundForge 10, Musiclab Real Guitar and Real Strat, SampleLord, Extreme Sample Converter. The apps that I can't get to work in Windows 7 are:

EMU Emulator x2
Autotune 5

So I have to maintain a separate XP machine to keep running these apps. IMO its unacceptable that these apps haven't been patched to Windows 7, and it looks like they won't be. EMU's attitude is that you need to spend another $200 to get X3, which will work with Win7. Antares also seem to have the attitude that you need to upgrade to the latest version. Bad attitude in my opinion, and in the case of the latter I hope to be able to just use Roland V-Vocal in Sonar in future. Unfortunately there are very few substitutes for X2.

Running win7 64 and sonar8.5.3 64 on two machines, Desktop and laptop.  Both are perfectly stable only had initial setup issues that were my fault.  I can stack softsynths all day long without and stoppage.  For me at least this was a big stepup for DAW in the windows environment.  Most plugs will be native 64 in the next 6 months or they will go away.  I have never been happier recording, nor have any of my partners.

I have playing around with PE 8.5.3 64 bit with Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. The number 1 benefit I am seeing being able to use 5ms audio latency for mixing. In Windows XP I had to use upwards of 20ms. My projects are relatively small 5-10 tracks (mostly VST instruments) and not too many plugins.

I am having issues getting Addictive Drums to work, but I have not run into any issues with other instruments or plugins.

I tried using the 32 bit version of Sonar, but Dimension Pro would cause Sonar to crash. Do not have the details.  I may try installing the 32 bit version again to see if that helps with Addictive Drums.

gully wrote:
"I'm just wondering if perhaps I should have gone to 64-bit w/ W7, or if I'm better (for now?) sticking with the 32-bit.  "

If you bought a full version of Windows 7 (ie not the DSP version) then your license covers the 64 bit OS too. I would take the plunge and go the 64 bit route (after creating a restore image of your 32 bit OS). Yes there are going to be some thing that don't yet work, but you are going to love the decreased latency and all round 'Ferrari' performance of 64 bit. Its also the future.

If you are going 64, go all the way win7(64), sonar64.  You dont want to have to go back and reinstall everything a month from now when you realize how good the 64 bit system works.  I did it about a month ago and had only minor issues (my fault) and have never been happier.  Flawless low latency recordings and it may just be me, but everything sounds better.  The future is 64bit and software that doesn't keep up will go away.  Also, most hardware either has 64bit drivers or beta 64bit drivers, even those who waited out the whole vista thing.

Hello damon777,
Have you checked compatibility?
Just an FYI for you.
It is always best to check with the software manufacturer FIRST. They will tell you if they have tested the product and the version, as well as whether or not it will work with Windows 7.
Check out the Windows 7 Compatibility site: (There you will find out about hardware and software compatibility.)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/en-us/default.aspx
There is a pulldown from which you can choose "hardware" and "software".
There are also some great articles, instructional videos and such to help with your Windows 7 at our Springboard site:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx
In any event a lot of the times, Vista drivers will work in lieu of Windows 7 drivers, however, it's not 100%!
As stated previously, it's best to have the Windows 7 certified drivers installed.
Thanks again,
John M.
Microsoft Windows Client Support