64 bit for sonar 5

[jmorris]

Hey, I use Sonar 1.2..old version. I'm thinking about getting Soanr 5 but it says for requirements I need "Windows
XP/x64*" What is that? the x64 I mean How do I know if I have it?

[jmorris]

is it the sound card that must be 64 bit or motherboard I have a Motu2408MKIII and use the PCI424( I would think that would be 64bit. Let me stop thinking out loud and wait for a response

[Qwerty]

Sonar v5 has a 32-bit and an 64-bit version on the same DVD. If you are using normal XP then you will use the 32-bit version of Sonar v5. If you are using the 64-bit edition of XP, then it will install the 64-bit version of Sonar v5. If you don't know, don't worry -- both versions are on the same v5 CD.

Both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Sonar feature the new internal "64-bit engine" -- therefore you don't need XP 64 to recognise the benefits of the 64-bit engine.

Make sense?

Q.

[jmorris]

Thanks Q, but then what exactly is the 64 bit for?

[AlChuck]

The 64-bit version runs on the newer 64-bit CPUs.

[Qwerty]

Yep, what Al said -- in the same way that all 16-bit Windows 3.1 applications got re-written to be 32-bit applications under 32-bit Windows 9x in order to take advantage the then new 32-bit hardware.

The above is true for the 64-bit application.

The 64-bit engine in Sonar v5, (which works with either the 32 or 64-bit applications), allows double the accuracy and detail in the maths used behind the interface of Sonar. The end result for you is smoother, more detailed sounds -- particularly if using a lot of tracks/plugs.

Ciao,

B.

[Qwerty]

...and I just saw this on Cakewalk's Sonar FAQ page -

http://www.cakewalk.com/support/kb/kb2005282.asp

Ciao,

Q.

[Bulls Hit]

Ima wait until the 128 bit version comes out next year. They'll be giving away 64 bit Sonar then

[cultureofgreed]

Originally Posted by Bulls Hit

Ima wait until the 128 bit version comes out next year. They'll be giving away 64 bit Sonar then

I wouldn't hold my breath. A true 128bit CPUs and the OS/Apps to support it are years away; heck, 64bit isn't 100% there yet. 128bit internal processing for Sonar may be in the works, that I am not sure of.

[altitude909]

64bit isn't 100% there yet

Actually it is. There have been Sparc and IBM 64bit processers for a while, but this is the first time we are seeing 64bit windows. The 64 bit windows runs on AMD Athlon 64, AMD Opteron, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support.

The big problem with running x64 windows is getting 64 bit drivers (win64 will run 32bit software but not 32bit drivers) but I have already seen M-Audio and some others starting to offer them so if you can get them, It would be worth a look (I think MS may still have an evaluation thing going on actually).

I would not reccomend buying though since Vista is due out next year and that will have 64 and 32 bit versions also.

And as far as companiews giving away old software: I had to buy Cubase 3, Not Cubase SX 3, Cubase 3 for my Atari ST which was released over fifteen years ago. It is still under copyright by steinberg and cannot be legally found other than several retailers in the UK. So no one gives away anything ever in the music software world (except propellerheads, who started giving away rebirth this year)

[jmorris]

How do I know if my computer is or is not 64 bit. I'm guessing that if I don't know it isnt. It's 2 years old.

[altitude909]

probably not. Just right click/properties on my computer and it will tell you what you have

[jmorris]

clicked on props and does not tell bit info. If not, how can I get it to 64 bit? Is it motherboard update?

[jmorris]

Hey, if I want to beef up my computer and add 64 bit, what would be the best motherboard to get?

[altitude909]

Look at the model of the chip and compare it to the list I gave earlier (or just tell me and I will tell if it is).

If you want to upgrade it will be a new mainboard and processer (probably newer ram also)

[jmorris]

well its a pentium r processor if that helps.

[jmorris]

Originally Posted by Qwerty

...and I just saw this on Cakewalk's Sonar FAQ page -

http://www.cakewalk.com/support/kb/kb2005282.asp

Ciao,

Q.

that was a great limk.I should have gone there first.So if I want to stay 32 bit with sonar 5, what will I miss?

[altitude909]

In theory, it should be faster and better for working with large projects but I would look it up since claims are just that, claims.

Your processer does not support EMT64 btw

[jmorris]

Well, looookkkkksss like I'll be upgrading then. Can I just plunk in a new processor? I have a Dell and they can be a pain with propriatary hardware.

[AlChuck]

There's little point to upgrading the hardware and OS if all your software is written for a 32-bit OS. If it's worth it to run SONAR 5's 64-bit version, well, that's a good enough reason, I guess.

Can I just plunk in a new processor?

:-)

No. It's not just a matter of popping in a new CPU into your existing motherboard.

[jmorris]

:-)

No. It's not just a matter of popping in a new CPU into your existing motherboard.[/QUOTE]

Damn!!!

[Qwerty]

Originally Posted by jmorris

...So if I want to stay 32 bit with sonar 5, what will I miss?

About 18 months worth of pain as the first wave of people on the bleeding edge work out all the bugs...

Seriously though, while there is hardware around which will drive all this stuff in native 64-bit mode, you are probably better served waiting. Any $ you spend today on technology will only be worth 50c in 18 months time. That means if you hold onto that $, then the technology will have evolved significantly during that time.

Have a look at some of the work Intel are doing around multi-core CPU architecture which is being delivered from Q1 next year; there is a lot of bang for buck on offer there... My advice is wait.

Running 32-bit Sonar v5 still allows you to realise all the benefits of the 64-bit mixing engine. 64-bit architecture will just make it run faster. The longer you wait, the more gigaflops/second you can buy with your $ when you eventually commit to 64-bit hardware.

Ciao,

Q.