Win7 - Making separate user account for recording sessions?

[brand0nized]

I use my laptop in my home studio as also my basic needs laptop, and I find that some optimizations get in the way of my regular use, and some times video editing.

Is it beneficial to create a second user account with optimized settings for recording, or would it slow down my computer?

 

[Michael Mason]

I use my laptop in my home studio as also my basic needs laptop, and I find that some optimizations get in the way of my regular use, and some times video editing.

Is it beneficial to create a second user account with optimized settings for recording, or would it slow down my computer?

There are multiple posts in this section regarding this type of stuff, but I'll go into it:

There are a few different ways I've read about, tried a few myself.

1. 2 hdd (or more) setup - best way to go. 1 hdd for your os and applications, second for everything else. Keeps your stuff organized, keeps your OS uncluttered for optimal performance. First hdd preferably solid state. Weekly defrags of your os hdd, at least monthly of your second drive.

2. 1 hdd, 2 (or more partitions) - Second best option. Again, organization and keep your os uncluttered. Some will have say your performance will suffer because the hdd needs to write off the os partition and the second when saving files. Also they will say it degrades the lifetime of the drive. In my approximately 20 years personal experience building, repairing and maintaining computers, both independently and professionally for a large PC company, I have never had a hdd fail, even with multiple partitions.

3. Multiple accounts with optimized settings for each - Very doable, but again, I would suggest at least partitioning your hdd to keep it organized and uncluttered. A multiple drive setup with multiple accounts would work well. The only issue I have is why bog the system down with multiple registry settings (in Windows) and having uninhibited access to all the files and what not. If you setup more than 2 drives/partitions, make sure to prevent access to your working drive from other user accounts just in case.

4. Multiple drives/partitions, multiple os installs tweaked for each use - This is an interesting setup I tried recently. 4 partitions, one for General Usage/Web Design, one for Pro Tools and Logic, one for Video/Photo, one for beta testing os updates/just in case/backup/system tools. Set all other drives/partitions as hidden or locked so other installs don't have access and hopefully don't even show up within the os install you're using. This setup virtually guarantees your system to run optimized for whatever you're doing. It's nice, but it becomes a PITA when you are just putzing around on the internet and get the recording bug.

 

[JimmyS1969]

With a laptop, you are going to be a bit limited. I would recommend building a desktop computer for your recording needs. Unless you need to have remote recording capability. Not knowing the specs of what you have, I am just assuming that it likely does not have the capability of performing all of the tasks you are looking to do. Not with optimized performance for each task. At the very least, you definitely should use an external drive to stream audio, for the recording tasks. Since you are using a lappy, then you are likely limited as far as multitasking while keeping performance optimized for all of your tasks.


What is it that you are using? Laptop/OS/DAW/Other....

 

[Doctor Varney]

I, too, recommend clearing a desktop system for use ONLY with the DAW. No networking, thus no need for antivirus (other than for checking incoming files from other machines) and strip out all the inessentials. I have had good success with 1GB RAM on a dual core Intel machine running Windows XP Home. Anything else is a bonus. Laptops in my experience, limit the internal hardware you can potentially use and are more useful kept as portable systems. Thus it's best to keep the laptop stocked with your most used software. My 'DAW' machine, as it's called just sits there doing nothing other than processing audio.

 

[TimOBrien]

1990 thinking.

You used to have to pare down services to get a good recording computer. Not anymore.

My daws have been full-use single-user setups for many years with no problems.

 

[Michael Mason]

1990 thinking.

You used to have to pare down services to get a good recording computer. Not anymore.

My daws have been full-use single-user setups for many years with no problems.

I would agree with you if he were using OSX, it's not nearly as important. But on Windows, Disk Defrags still need to happen, and with everything on one drive that can take hours. Also, the majority of services running are unnecessary, considering the same stuff that runs on Win7 Pro is running on a Win7 Home setup. Even something as simple as your system checking for email can slow your DAW down and give you pops.

I guess it's just a matter of personal taste and preference.

I lol'd at jimmys sig "Lava Lamp/Big mean dog"

 

[JimmyS1969]

LOL! It's actually a beagle named Brutis.

 

[Michael Mason]

LOL! It's actually a beagle named Brutis.

lol He doesn't sound big or mean! I have a 40 lbs femal German Shepherd/Siberian Husky.

To bring it back on topic, she thinks OP should remove the optical drive from the laptop and install a SSD. lol

 

[JimmyS1969]

Ah, the dogs that say "I ruv you"! lol! My wife has a Husky. Great dog, though over it's projected lifespan. Blind.

She is right. Good dog! I however, now run two drives in RAID1, because I hated the last time I spent 3 days reinstalling/re-registering my software and optimizing, after a OS hard drive crash. I suppose less chance and greater speed with SSD, but haven't justified the cost, nor the time to make it happen yet. I suppose I probably will when the first drive seizure happens. Then I will just copy to the SSD's and have a new backup drive for audio. I already have two externals for audio, but you can never be too safe. I couldn't even imagine having to re-record a project because of drive failure. Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but s**t happens, and I don't like it when it happens to me, or my doggies....

Cats IMO, suck!!!

Just saying....

 

[Michael Mason]

Ah, the dogs that say "I ruv you"! lol! My wife has a Husky. Great dog, though over it's projected lifespan. Blind.

She is right. Good dog! I however, now run two drives in RAID1, because I hated the last time I spent 3 days reinstalling/re-registering my software and optimizing, after a OS hard drive crash. I suppose less chance and greater speed with SSD, but haven't justified the cost, nor the time to make it happen yet. I suppose I probably will when the first drive seizure happens. Then I will just copy to the SSD's and have a new backup drive for audio. I already have two externals for audio, but you can never be too safe. I couldn't even imagine having to re-record a project because of drive failure. Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but s**t happens, and I don't like it when it happens to me, or my doggies....

Cats IMO, suck!!!

Just saying....

SSDs have come waaaaaaay down in price. I was surprised when I walked into a computer hardware store for the first time in ages (upgraded my RAM to 16 GB!!!) and saw 128 GB SSDs for $100. 128 GB is perfect for an OS, DAW and a few other choice apps, with everything else being dumped or installed on a separate drive.

Solid State Drive (SSD)-Central Computer Systems Inc.

 

[Doctor Varney]

1990 thinking.

1990's gear calls for some 1990's thinking.

 

[JimmyS1969]

SSDs have come waaaaaaay down in price. I was surprised when I walked into a computer hardware store for the first time in ages (upgraded my RAM to 16 GB!!!) and saw 128 GB SSDs for $100. 128 GB is perfect for an OS, DAW and a few other choice apps, with everything else being dumped or installed on a separate drive.

Solid State Drive (SSD)-Central Computer Systems Inc.

I wonder if an SSD would speed up my export times? Man, that drives me insane waiting on them. Though that does give me time here.

In any case, how hard would it be to copy my OS drives to an SSD, without having to re-install everything again?

 

[Doctor Varney]

As far as I'm aware, one does not simply 'copy' an OS onto another drive. In my experience at least, it must be installed. I've tried it and it didn't work. Just make a back up of your settings and do a fresh install on the new SSD.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Argh...that bums me out. I thought you could 'mirror' a drive. Not looking forward to hours of re-installation and authorizing. Ah well, my system runs just fine. So much for an excuse to buy more stuff. lol

 

[Doctor Varney]

Erm... okay, I'm not the best person to consult in these matters - but I think mirroring is part of a back-up solution done at the time of installation and maintained over the long term to keep two drives the same. I think had you mirrored it in the first place, you would have your second copy.

As I've said, not an expert so you might need to ask this question in a more computer focussed section or forum. There are loads more knowledgable people here.

Installation and authorizing isn't that bad. You should be able to accomplish it in about an hour. It's definitely worth doing in my opinion, if for no other reason than to proof yourself against possible data loss in future. Also it is considered good practice to keep your projects on a seperate drive to your operating system and applications. That way, not only is it safe if the OS disk goes down but your data is easily transferable to another machine.

For what it's worth, I heard SSDs haven't yet matured and there have been some issues. This was a while ago, so things might have improved. Again, research your hardware in a computer specific area before shelling out on expensive new stuff. I like to let new inventions settle for a while before purchasing improved technology and let everyone else experience the teething problems.

Hope this helps.

 

[Doctor Varney]

1990 thinking.

You used to have to pare down services to get a good recording computer. Not anymore.

My daws have been full-use single-user setups for many years with no problems.

I believe advice like this should be backed with specs, as it depends on the system. A lot of my stuff is old and that's how I could afford to build a little studio in the first place. Before I got serious with recording, I ran a multi-use machine with art and music software but as we know, a Windows machine is pretty much doomed from the second it's put on the internet. File swapping and anti-virus software tends to fragment disk data, which is why my projects are kept on a seperate physical disk. As for performance, I dare say a brand new quad core with 4GB RAM can multi-task just fine but I have proven, without doubt, that generally you will get better performance when the machine is focussed for studio use. Even a dedicated partition is a good idea, IMO, which saves having a seperate system. My audio workstation never touches the internet. The boot time, application startup and shutdown are much faster. This is how I managed to squeeze the most out of inexpensive and retrograde equipment.

 

[Michael Mason]

I wonder if an SSD would speed up my export times? Man, that drives me insane waiting on them. Though that does give me time here.

In any case, how hard would it be to copy my OS drives to an SSD, without having to re-install everything again?

Argh...that bums me out. I thought you could 'mirror' a drive. Not looking forward to hours of re-installation and authorizing. Ah well, my system runs just fine. So much for an excuse to buy more stuff. lol

You create an image of the HDD you want to use as your source, then restore from that image. There are utilities all over the place to do it. Norton Ghost was the big one for awhile. It's probably just easier to reinstall everything though, if you've never done it before.

My suggestion is, install the SSD, Install OS on said SSD, Install just the programs you NEED the speed benefit from (DAW, Video/Photo editing software), Keep the old HDD plugged in to backup the files you need (You could transfer the programs you need over [They SHOULD create new registry entries when you run them the first time, but I wouldn't count on them all running in Windows... OSX requires everything it needs to run in the program]), Format old HDD, Use as second drive.

My Ideal layout would be

SSD:
OS
Avid Software
Logic
Final Cut
Adobe Software

HDD:
/Applications
/Music
/Movies
/Documents
/Downloads
/Pictures
/Public (Shared)

 

[MrWrenchey]

Argh...that bums me out. I thought you could 'mirror' a drive. Not looking forward to hours of re-installation and authorizing. Ah well, my system runs just fine. So much for an excuse to buy more stuff. lol

Doctor Varney is right. Running Windows, when you switch something out (like a HDD/SSD), the operating system is written to that specific piece of hardware. If you want to move your OS/program files to a new HDD/SSD, you're going to have to reinstall.
I know this because I just recently upgraded my entire system with a new motherboard/processor/RAM/hard drive and had to do just this. If you don't reinstall, the OS is going to be pretty finicky.

 

[Michael Mason]

I believe advice like this should be backed with specs, as it depends on the system. A lot of my stuff is old and that's how I could afford to build a little studio in the first place. Before I got serious with recording, I ran a multi-use machine with art and music software but as we know, a Windows machine is pretty much doomed from the second it's put on the internet. File swapping and anti-virus software tends to fragment disk data, which is why my projects are kept on a seperate physical disk. As for performance, I dare say a brand new quad core with 4GB RAM can multi-task just fine but I have proven, without doubt, that generally you will get better performance when the machine is focussed for studio use. Even a dedicated partition is a good idea, IMO, which saves having a seperate system. My audio workstation never touches the internet. The boot time, application startup and shutdown are much faster. This is how I managed to squeeze the most out of inexpensive and retrograde equipment.

2011 27 inch iMac: 3.4 GHz quad core with hyper threading (shows up as 8 cores in pro tools), 4 GB RAM (upgraded to 16 GB last week), ATI Radeon 1024 MB VRAM.

I would still partition my HDD.

Every single computer my University runs for the audio department has partitioned HDDs, and most of those specs match mine.

I have about 20 years of both professional and hobby experience building, repairing, upgrading, maintaining PCs, and I recommend to EVERYONE to partition their HDD.

OSs now set up a separate partition to keep recovery files and system restores on.

 

[RWhite]

Doctor Varney is right. Running Windows, when you switch something out (like a HDD/SSD), the operating system is written to that specific piece of hardware. If you want to move your OS/program files to a new HDD/SSD, you're going to have to reinstall.
I know this because I just recently upgraded my entire system with a new motherboard/processor/RAM/hard drive and had to do just this. If you don't reinstall, the OS is going to be pretty finicky.

You are talking about two different issues. When you install Windows it does tune itself to your hardware, in particular your motherboard / video card / CPU. If you are going to change the entire guts of the system including your motherboard, then yes you will need to (and WANT to) reinstall Windows.

However if you are just changing the drive - switching a hard drive to a larger unit or an SSD - then it is no problem using an imaging program to copy the old drive to the new drive. I do it nearly every day as part of my job, using Symantec's GHOST. The ideal way to first make a bootable CD with the files you need on it (you can download such disc images from a number of sources). Then hook up the old drive as a second internal drive or (if you are using a laptop) as an external drive using a USB interface that will cost you about $15. Then boot from your CD, copy the old drive to the new, shut down and remove the old drive, and you are done.