Kick-Ass Computer Components for Sonar 4

[Relakst]

You folks who have "rock solid" Sonar performance, would you care to share your computer component list so that I might build and enjoy the same?

I will be using firewire connections to (likely) Motu828Mk2.

Thanks a bunch,
Dale

 

[acidrock]

Some of the sites that sell audio computers list the components of there different units,that could be a starting point.

 

[punkin]

The cakewalk website lists recommended PC and hardware combos as well.

 

[Relakst]

So.... then all I have to do is follow Cakewalk's recommended requirements and I will have a great system for Sonar 4?

After reading posts here and, especially, on Pro Tools' site I see many people following the manufacture's list but yet having grief because of goofy little component issues.

Is there an "ALLENSTEIN" (Pro Tools forum lingo, AKA: "IDEAL") type of computer setup for Sonar 4? (I'm refering to specific brand names and nomenclature).

Some of the sites that sell audio computers list the components of there different units,that could be a starting point.

Yes, I think that is a great place to start and thank you!

 

[crosstudio]

f*ck that. i'm going to tell you what i've had and what i have now.

I had a 1.2ghz AMD CPU running 512mb RAM and dual HDs that were 10000RPM one for applications and one for audio files. I had a Frontier Design wavecenter PCI card connected to a Tango24 D/A/D with a Mackie 1604 as the pre-amp until i got an FMR Audio RNP.

Rarely had a problem with it running Sonar2 with Waves, Autotune and occassionally Sonitus fx. I would occassionally record up to 8-in at a time, but most of the time i'm just recording 1 or 2 stereo tracks (keyboard and drum machine in stereo at the same time).

Now I have a 3.0ghz Intel P4 laptop with 512mb RAM, 1 7200RPM HD, 4 USBs and 1 Firewire. Its connected to a Tascam FW-1884 (via firewire). the tascam has the keyboard and drum machine connected via MIDI and as audio inputs (stereo). the laptop also has an external mouse/keyboard [usb], IOMega Zip drive (also connected to the drum machine/sampler) [usb], dual monitor, and Hauppage winTV [usb].

I can watch TV on one monitor while i'm recording midi via Sonar (on the other monitor), but watching tv and recording audio at the same time is something i haven't ventured to try.

I also have an Edirol FA-101 that i use to record my band during practice and to record vocalist at their home.

both the tascam and the edirol work great with Sonar on the dell inspiron 9100.

 

[Relakst]

f*ck that. i'm going to tell you what i've had and what i have now....

NOW WE'RE COOK'N! I'll check these components out. I am pretty sure Dell now has an Inspiron 9300. Could I assume that if I load one up with the best components that I would be set?

 

[Middleman]

Well sure.

Asus Motherboard P4 2.26GHz
1 GB of RAM
Quiet PC Power supply 400 Watts
4 HDD - C: System, D:Audio, E:Video, F:Soundfonts and Drumkit from Hell Superior
Mad Dog DVD Drive
Lynx IIA Convertors/Soundcard
UAD-1 Effects card
Matrox Dual headed VGA card - don't remember the model number.
Sonar 4PE
M-Audio Trigger Finger via USB for DFHS
Roland MKII midi keyboard
Firewire Video capture board - Dazzle A/DVNow.

Running ASIO drivers off the Lynx. Never have a hiccup unless I am running VST plug ins. UAD and DXi can have latency issues on occassion but 99% of the time the beast runs very stable.

I am going to jump to a 64 bit motherboard as soon as Lynx and the UA folks cough up some 64 bit drivers.

 

[crosstudio]

Oh, Middleman just brought up a good point -->

Quiet PC Power supply 400 Watts

my laptop can get hell-a loud occassionally, if it gets hot that fans starts doing overtime. i use to keep my desktop in an adjacent room closet with a smallish hole drilled into the baseboard to pass the KVM cable through.

since i record vocals in a separate room, it doesn't matter, but when i'm recording outside of the studio (using the edirol fa-01) laptop noise becomes an issue to control.

the 9300 should be rocking. if you get 1g of memory it would be even better. if you can get it with dual hard drives, it would really be smoking.