Computer memory...
Home > Home Recording Forum > Computers & Software > Computer memory...
Posted on Jan 12, 2008 02:06 pm
xlakejunkiex
Ryan
Member Since: Dec 28, 2007
...i hear alot about you have to have "this" or "that" much memory on your computer and some people dont have any other apps. other than recording ones, how would i check if my computer is good for recording?
[ Back to Top ]
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jan 12, 2008 04:01 pm There are a number of things you need to take into consideration here. The recording software itself usually has a minimum and recommended set of requirements. Then beyond that, it kinda depends on how many tracks you're using, number of plug-ins you're using. Basically, what you're trying to accomplish.
I'm an amateur using fl-studio fruityloops edition, which in and of itself isn't much of a resource hog. Once I start adding tracks and effects, however, my resources can get used up pretty quickly. Especially if I'm layering tracks. For refrence, i'm using a 1.8Ghz AMD Applebred Duron, and 2.5GB PC3200 DDR RAM. Sometimes my RAM ends up being the bottleneck (if i'm using a lot of soft-synths) and othertimes it's the CPU (if i'm using a lot of effects/processing)
So, really, it boils down to what kind of system you have, and what you can do within the scope of that system, or what you need to consider if you're able to upgrade. The question you posed is very broad and doesn't have any one simple answer.
-J
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 12, 2008 09:43 pm Yeah, if you can do what you want, and it doesn't pop or click / lockup / crap out, then you're good enough.
When you keep adding more stuff and it starts crapping out, then you have some things to consider.
If you're only running 10 tracks, no softsynths, light midi/soundfonts, and light effects, then a 1.5ghz PC with 512mb ram will probably do.
But if you're doing 50 tracks, with multiple softsynths, large samples / soundfiles, and heavy convolution reverbs and other effects, then a quadcore with at least 2g (probably more) is in order.
Jan 20, 2008 01:08 pm Hey i have the same problem my CPU is too high i'm using tons of effects on fl loops xxl, i have an AMD athlon 2.0ghz 2G of RAM and it's freezing.
I'm thinking to buy a AMD 64 x2 5600+ 2.8 ghz with ddr2 2g of ram and 500W power supply, the question is if its gonna help me??
Thanks
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 20, 2008 06:53 pm OK, here are a few things I have found over the years that have helped me do things on a much lesser PC then you guys are working with today.
Do not scrimp on the RAM, in other words don't buy the cheap bottom of the barrel on sale stuff. It won't work for this type of purpose. It is usually the discarded chips that won't clock together. RAM chips need to all work together in harmony or they won't do any good, even with 4 or 8 gigs of it.
Learn how to manage your pluggins, meaning learn when to apply them destructively to save CPU cycles. Archive old versions of tracks, do not simply mute them and let them sit in the project, they are still eating up CPU cycles even when muted.
Learn how to use the freeze functions of your DAW, it can really conserve on CPU use and RAM use.
DO NOT have anything running in the back ground at all when doing heavy track and processor intensive projects. That means don't leave your messenger open to chat with friends while your recording or mixing. Don't have any other programs open at all, period. Todays DAW needs to be the sole focus of the PC if it is to work properly.
Another very important thing is a completely separate hard drive for your audio and projects. Recording onto the C drive where all your programs are running is going to cause a slow down as well. That is something I learned early on in the digital world.
Think of it as trying to suck a malted through a straw packed with sand. Not an easy task at all. The DAW itself is running a lot of DATA back and forth between the North Bridge chip, RAM and CPU. Now you are asking it to add 10 times or more the amount of data it must stream through that little pipe. Simply adding a dedicated hard drive that the project data and audio can stream from will lighten the load a great deal.
My example here is that on and older AMD 1800 with 1 gig of RAM I could stack up 50 or so tracks of audio/synths and not suffer any ill effects. The reason is I managed me resources to an extreme to optimize my PC for recording only.
