How many simul channels?

[laptoppop]

Whats the most simultaneous channels that anyone is running in n-track?

I'm wondering how it would perform with a tricked out PC with a couple of Nuendo/RME 96/52 cards and hardware based raid 0 disks....

Thanks,
-lee-

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I've often done 24 track 24bit/48khz recordings with multiple high quality effects. No problems. Not a souped up machine either, just a Celeron 850Mhz, 256MB, 7200RPM HD's, Delta1010, etc.

If you're not looking to do more than 32 tracks of 24bit/96khz, I would avoid RAID 0 because a) it can make the machine harder to setup and maintain b) you won't need the extra power c) you double your chances of data loss d) it costs more. Not to say that it can't perform pretty damn nicely, but it is never recommended to buy power that isn't required.

I really wish it was as easy as CPU and Hard Disk speeds...but there are so many variables that can dictate whether you're going to have a good time recording, or be pulling your hair out. You're more likely to run into "weird" performance issues (bus congestion, bad drivers, etc) long before you hit the theoretical limits of your CPU and hard drive in terms of *track count*.

I typically think of 32 tracks as being the best that should be expected out of a decent DAW. Maybe somebody'll be doing a lot more than that, and maybe somebody can't even come close, but 32 is the magic limit as far as I'm concerned at this point.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[laptoppop]

I've often done 24 track 24bit/48khz recordings with multiple high quality effects. No problems. Not a souped up machine either, just a Celeron 850Mhz, 256MB, 7200RPM HD's, Delta1010, etc.

Thanks - that is exactly the type of real-world experience I was looking for.

If you're not looking to do more than 32 tracks of 24bit/96khz, I would avoid RAID 0 because a) it can make the machine harder to setup and maintain b) you won't need the extra power c) you double your chances of data loss d) it costs more. Not to say that it can't perform pretty damn nicely, but it is never recommended to buy power that isn't required.

I really wish it was as easy as CPU and Hard Disk speeds...but there are so many variables that can dictate whether you're going to have a good time recording, or be pulling your hair out. You're more likely to run into "weird" performance issues (bus congestion, bad drivers, etc) long before you hit the theoretical limits of your CPU and hard drive in terms of *track count*.

I typically think of 32 tracks as being the best that should be expected out of a decent DAW. Maybe somebody'll be doing a lot more than that, and maybe somebody can't even come close, but 32 is the magic limit as far as I'm concerned at this point.

Eventually, I'm looking to move to Nuendo in a full configuration, but there's a new version of Nuendo to be announced in May, and I want to be sure to qualify for a free upgrade, so I'm thinking of getting my DAW feet wet on n-track to start.

I'll be doing about 24 tracks at 96khz or 48 tracks at 48khz in and out at the same time, so I want to be sure I'm not limiting myself with bandwidth. Those are also just the in/out numbers - I want a lot more flexibility inside the DAW at the same time.

I'm very comfortable with roll-your-own PC hardware / bioses/ busses/ device drivers, etc., so I'm prepared for the initial configuration pain. On the other hand, this will be a brand new machine with fresh installs of everything, dedicated to this one purpose, so I have hope of decent stability.

My biggest concerns are with CPU utilization, disk throughput, and PCI bus loading. Right now the configuration I'm considering would be a
- windows xp pro tailored with all the "pretty" stuff turned off
- dual CPU (Probably dual 1.9 ghz Athlon) mboard (probably asus)
- 1 gig registered ddr memory
- 4 hard disks, all Maxtor 80 gb drives
- 1 used as system disk
- 2 used as raid 0 pair with adaptec 2400 controller (uses hardware to control, no CPU overhead) for the actual tracking
- 1 mounted in removable rack and used as a project drive
- matrox dual monitor display (450 or 550)
- 2 Nuendo/RME 96/52 cards for lightpipe input/output
- DVD+RW for backup

After I get that up and running smoothly, I'll start adding plugins to the mix. I'm leaning toward the UAD-1 card and the Wave Platinum bundle.

Here's hoping I can violate your 32-channel rule of thumb!

Thanks again for your info - greatly appreciated.

-lee-

 

[shackrock]

you mean RECORDING those things all at once?

 

[laptoppop]

you mean RECORDING those things all at once?

Wellllll, not quite. I'll be limited to 24 mic preamps for now, so that's the max I'd be able to handle as inputs - but I could be wanting to do that at 96khz.... -or- if I'm recording even a small band, I could be laying down a half dozen tracks while playing back a bunch of others back into the headphones. I prefer to keep things like drums seperated out (kick, toms, snare, etc) until real late in the mixing process if I can -- seems like the project always manages to fill lots of available tracks!

Or, for another example - lets say that I have a killer electric guitar sound that I've made using a combination of direct to the board, close mic to the amp, a couple of mics further away, etc. The one electric guitar sound can take several tracks.

Another example - I also record some local school bands and choirs - I prefer lots of mics so that I can compensate for the wildly varying volume levels from the instruments.

As much as possible, I don't want the equipment limitations to get in the way of making music.

-lee-

 

[Slackmaster2K]

Note: while I've worked with 24 track projects, the most I've ever recorded simultaneously has been 4. I haven't experienced any problems as of yet.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[bdemenil]

In the past i have had problems with ntrack when reaching to about 30 tracks. My CPU and disc throughput were not overloaded, but ntrack would start putting popping sounds in the new tracks (like if my buffers were too small). This would happen even if I had almost all the tracks muted, and read from muted tracks unchecked. I have changed systems, and ntrack has gone through a few evolutions since I last tested, so I don't know if the problem persists.

Looks like a good system you are putting together. I have a dual MP 1600 - runs great.