Sonar XL 2.2: P4 2.5G or Athlon XP 2.2G? The faster the FSB the better?

[Skycries57]

Another processor question. If both computers had the Same exact hardware,memory,etc. except for Processors, which will perform better with Sonar XL 2.2 and Wavelab 4.0? The P4 2.5G has a FSB of 400mhz, and the Athlon XP 2.2G has a FSB of only 266mhz. The faster the FSB the better, is what I'm told but I'm I wrong when it comes to digital recording?

Thanks!

[Paul881]

Groan, not another debate:
Intel vs Athlon
Win vs Linux
win xp vs win 2000/98/me
Sonar vs Cubase
PC's vs Mac

I don't know the answer to your question but when I read up before my recent upgrade, many posts convinced me that the P4 was the one to go for. I have always been a supporter of Intel anyway, don't ask me why, I just am.
I have been put off buying other CPU manufacturers gear because of alledged non-conformance issues with software. But many members here swear by Athlon, so as ever:

Yer pays yer money and takes yer pick

Incidently, every company I have worked for in the past 10 years had a "buy only Intel" policy. So I guess I just followed suit.

[bamboo]

I'd put it this way: to get the biggest bang for the buck, go Athlon; if you value the peace of mind most of all go Intel

[moskus]

The one and only rule for choosing processors: Get the one you can afford!

[Paul881]

I'd put it this way: to get the biggest bang for the buck, go Athlon; if you value the peace of mind most of all go Intel

Best quote I've read in ages. Good post bamboo.

[moskus]

But one thing: If you get Athlon, be shure to choose the right chipset... (meaning don't get VIA)

[bamboo]

Ditto about VIA

Another thing: Athlons tend to get quite hot, so you'll have to have an efficient cooling system, which is usually quite noisy - a big no-no for DAW.

[Nosferous]

Originally posted by bamboo
Ditto about VIA

Another thing: Athlons tend to get quite hot, so you'll have to have an efficient cooling system, which is usually quite noisy - a big no-no for DAW.

I've got a 1.533GHz Athlon XP running a Volcano 7+ on med setting with Arctic Silver 3 thermal compound.

Yeah, the med setting makes a bit of noise, but it cools nicely and it's had no impact on the audio I record. I mean, unless you are actually micing the computer that's the only way my computers fan speed would actuall degrade my audio sound. But I'm not micing my computer now am I.

I know fan speeds can cause a problem if they're noisy. But it's only in some cases and not all. It's another one of those debatable things. Some people get away with a super noisy fan and no degrade to recording. And some people don't get off that way and have noticable degrade of quality caused by certain soundcards and noisy fans.

I could run my Volcano 7+ on low setting and have a VERY quite PC, and I've got a fan on my Graphics card, an exaust (80mm) and two intake (80mm) fans, and then my power supply has it's own intake/exaust adding two more fans to the bit. That should if the noise did affect anything for me make my PC the Anti-DAW.

And I've got a panel on my case I installed so I can lower my fans speeds just incase they do make too much noise for a non-system intense application.

it really all depends, where the card is places probably (I did place mine at the lowest PCI slot away from the processor), and what card, and how close you are micing by your case.

...um, guess that's all. More than I wanted to say.

[moskus]

Originally posted by Nosferous
Yeah, the med setting makes a bit of noise, but it cools nicely and it's had no impact on the audio I record. I mean, unless you are actually micing the computer that's the only way my computers fan speed would actuall degrade my audio sound. But I'm not micing my computer now am I.

You don't have a condenser mic, do you?

[Nosferous]

My vocalist does.
Though I don't know what model it is.
I just know it a Audio-Technica brand mic.

and my mic I use for backing vocal might, but I won't rely on that one as it's not the greatest but it works for I need it for.

But I know my vocalist's mic is a condensor.

and if it's the mic picking up the computer (if it ever does in the future), I could record out of the room. Considering I'm recording in my bedroom I'd probably could get a better sound elsewhere in the house anyways - away from the computer. Or I could turn my heat-sink fan on low and my exausts/intakes. And have a almost non-existant computer unless you focus all attention in your mind on it.

[moskus]

The point was/is that if you are recording with a condenser mic (or any good mic) in the same room as a noisy PC, you should hear it on the recording (the silence part).

[Nosferous]

Got you.
Singer tends to be on the opposite side of the room when recording. Probably 10 feet away, he sits by the bed. It's about 14-16 feet wall to wall.

I think the noise from my cheap mixer/pre would over-take before any mic could pic up a my computer fan.

And mic his head level sitting. Computer case is ground level on bottom desk supports.

[moskus]

Originally posted by Nosferous
I think the noise from my cheap mixer/pre would over-take before any mic could pic up a my computer fan.

That doesen't sound good...

I usually run a multi-cable (what is it called in english? a 'snake'?) into the hall in my house and record there. So chase that singer into the hall and stretch cables!

[moskus]

Does this message show? Damn server!

[Nosferous]

It's not the mixer outside making noise, it's if I turned up the gain even loud enough to pick up my PC fan, if to say it would. The noise from raising the gain to high would overtake what could even be heard of my computer fan.

So, snaking wouldn't solve that.
I just need a good dedicated pre-amp.
And yes your messages showed up, I think?

[BluesMeister]

Originally posted by moskus
Does this message show? Damn server!

No, sorry Moskus I can't see it at all. Can anyone else see it?

--
BluesMeister

[bamboo]

[Paul881]

An audio-technica concenser mic would certainly pick up PC fan noise at 14 feet. I know, cos I got one! In fact any Condenser mic would do the same.

Moskus is right, either put the singer somewhere else or lower the fan noise. And don't forget to maximise the soft dead stuff in the room like curtains and duvets.

If your pre-amp is lousy, get a better one, but all you are going to do is expose problems elsewhere.