To start, here's my basic computer setup:
P4 1.8A gHz with 1gig PC800 RAM.
30 gig WD harddrive (7200 rpm)(programs)
100 gig WD special edition HD (dedicated music storage)
MOTU 24i
Sonar 1.0x
As it stands, I can record/playback 24 tracks easily as long as they have minimal plug-ins (i.e. EQ, compression, NO reverbs). It doesn't tax my CPU all that much. RAM is barely even tapped.
If I start adding in a few reverbs to 4 or 5 tracks, my CPU is taxed an easy 90% with just 10 tracks recorded and my RAM is barely tapped. One computer buddy of mine suggested an upgrade to P4's latest HTT CPUs, but I am not a fan of spending $700 on a CPU/mobo upgrade now when I know that price will be slashed drastically in the coming months.
Does anyone have an opinion on DSP cards/plug-in packages? How good are the plug-ins that are packaged with the card? How well does the card process reverb and other effects? I am not really interested in bouncing tracks or switching to hardware effects. I'd rather spend 1500 on a DSP card that would last me a while than 700 on a CPU that will go out of style in a month.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Jim
StudioMix2002@hotmail.com
P4 1.8A gHz with 1gig PC800 RAM.
30 gig WD harddrive (7200 rpm)(programs)
100 gig WD special edition HD (dedicated music storage)
MOTU 24i
Sonar 1.0x
As it stands, I can record/playback 24 tracks easily as long as they have minimal plug-ins (i.e. EQ, compression, NO reverbs). It doesn't tax my CPU all that much. RAM is barely even tapped.
If I start adding in a few reverbs to 4 or 5 tracks, my CPU is taxed an easy 90% with just 10 tracks recorded and my RAM is barely tapped. One computer buddy of mine suggested an upgrade to P4's latest HTT CPUs, but I am not a fan of spending $700 on a CPU/mobo upgrade now when I know that price will be slashed drastically in the coming months.
Does anyone have an opinion on DSP cards/plug-in packages? How good are the plug-ins that are packaged with the card? How well does the card process reverb and other effects? I am not really interested in bouncing tracks or switching to hardware effects. I'd rather spend 1500 on a DSP card that would last me a while than 700 on a CPU that will go out of style in a month.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Jim
StudioMix2002@hotmail.com