Computer for Music Production

[Fletchur]

Hello, I am wanting to buy a new desktop pc for music production. Currently I am using a Packard Bell Easy Note TS,

The easy note TS has 4GB of RAM, 2.30 Ghz Intel I5 processor, 500GB HDD, 4GB DDR3 Memory.

My problem is I am running many vst's (plugins) and having an extremely hard time processing them. When I get too about 5-6 tracks the project is struggling to load and my CPU usage is peaking constantly.

I am just looking for some specifics on what too get in a future machine, My budget is a maximum of £1000 and I am not interested in gaming, it will be solely for music production and the internet.

I need the computer to be able to handle lots of effects and plugins.

Thanks

[Be-1ne]

Read the instructions that came with your plug-ins and they will have a recommended spec.

[Fletchur]

Read the instructions that came with your plug-ins and they will have a recommended spec.

Well I have the specs to run Massive, FM8 and what not, just not too many

[Megachannel]

Memory is your friend. Buy lots and lots.

[Rappone]

something with 8GB RAM min and an external 1TB hard drive and your good to go for a while.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

Thats weird I've got a relatively old custom built computer, only a 2.50GHz dual core with 2 gig of fairly mediocre ram and asio4all. I can run a good 7 or 8 tracks with VSTi's and a decent amount of VSTs on tracks, Aux Returns, Busses e.t.c. before my cpu begins to max out. I've never found resource management a problem. If I ever hit a snag I'll just freeze a few tracks I know I'm not going to need to touch for a while, but that's seriously on the rare occasion. I wonder what you're doing that's so resource intensive...

£1,000 for a new computer when you've already got one like you mentioned is crazy talk from where I'm standing!

[Fletchur]

Thats weird I've got a relatively old custom built computer, only a 2.50GHz dual core with 2 gig of fairly mediocre ram and asio4all. I can run a good 7 or 8 tracks with VSTi's and a decent amount of VSTs on tracks, Aux Returns, Busses e.t.c. before my cpu begins to max out. I've never found resource management a problem. If I ever hit a snag I'll just freeze a few tracks I know I'm not going to need to touch for a while, but that's seriously on the rare occasion. I wonder what you're doing that's so resource intensive...

£1,000 for a new computer when you've already got one like you mentioned is crazy talk from where I'm standing!

What am I doing wrong then? I have tried adjusting sample rate and tried many tips people have suggested. I have a few massives and fm8s open when I play the song they struggle to load and the CPU peaks.

[Rappone]

Try changing your RAM, maybe that'll work. My friend had a 4gb RAM and had the same problem especially with complex synths and effects such as fade to grey, even on 2 tracks. He changed his RAM card, formatted his laptop and he was good after it.

[Genevieve]

Just bounce the tracks with CPU heavy synths to audio? o.O

[VirtualMark]

Didn't you post exactly the same thread the other day?

TBH if you have an i5, that should be plenty fast enough. How many voices are you running on each synth? You might have a problem with your computer if you're struggling with 5 tracks, an i5 has plenty of power and should easily run multiple instances of most synths. Some of the newer synths like Diva and Lush are extremely CPU intensive, you may need to freeze tracks if you're using more than a couple of these. What VST's are you using? And what DAW?

Things to try:

Disable any unnecessary startup programs, background services/processes, antivirus, wireless network when producing. Make sure you get 100% of your CPU devoted to making music.

If you have multiple Windows accounts, make sure the others are properly logged out.

Update your drivers, check device manager to see if there are any problems.

Check your buffer settings, you may need to set them a bit higher. You can download DPC latency checker for free to see if there are any spikes.

What DAW are you running? Have you got the latest version?

What hardware do you have connected? Disconnect any unnecessary hardware such as scanners, printers etc when making music.

Is the laptop well ventilated? Is it overheating? If so, you may be able to strip it using the service manual, and clean out any dust that has built up. Up to you if you want to do this, best to follow the instructions carefully. Alternatively, if its under warranty have them do it for you.

What sample rate are you running your projects at?

Like i said, an i5 is a modern processor and shouldn't struggle with 5 tracks. Unless you're using extreme settings on plugins, or using the latest plugins that use a lot of CPU. There are a few more things i can recommend but this'll do for now, let me know if there's still a problem.

[Fletchur]

Didn't you post exactly the same thread the other day?

TBH if you have an i5, that should be plenty fast enough. How many voices are you running on each synth? You might have a problem with your computer if you're struggling with 5 tracks, an i5 has plenty of power and should easily run multiple instances of most synths. Some of the newer synths like Diva and Lush are extremely CPU intensive, you may need to freeze tracks if you're using more than a couple of these. What VST's are you using? And what DAW?

Things to try:

Disable any unnecessary startup programs, background services/processes, antivirus, wireless network when producing. Make sure you get 100% of your CPU devoted to making music.

If you have multiple Windows accounts, make sure the others are properly logged out.

Update your drivers, check device manager to see if there are any problems.

Check your buffer settings, you may need to set them a bit higher. You can download DPC latency checker for free to see if there are any spikes.

What DAW are you running? Have you got the latest version?

What hardware do you have connected? Disconnect any unnecessary hardware such as scanners, printers etc when making music.

Is the laptop well ventilated? Is it overheating? If so, you may be able to strip it using the service manual, and clean out any dust that has built up. Up to you if you want to do this, best to follow the instructions carefully. Alternatively, if its under warranty have them do it for you.

What sample rate are you running your projects at?

Like i said, an i5 is a modern processor and shouldn't struggle with 5 tracks. Unless you're using extreme settings on plugins, or using the latest plugins that use a lot of CPU. There are a few more things i can recommend but this'll do for now, let me know if there's still a problem.

Right ok, well I'm using FL Studio and I'm using NI Massive and FM8, a lot of these - all of which are on eco settings. Nothing else is running while I'm on FL Studio just FL Studio, I can't remember exactly but I've changed the sample rate to one which is suppose to be less CPU intensive. I have connected to the laptop a pair of speakers and my midi keyboard.

[Fletchur]

Try changing your RAM, maybe that'll work. My friend had a 4gb RAM and had the same problem especially with complex synths and effects such as fade to grey, even on 2 tracks. He changed his RAM card, formatted his laptop and he was good after it.

Hmm, I;ve heard upgrading the ram can sometimes only increase performance by 3% and that put me off. If I'm going to see only slight change it won't be worth it

[hasezwei]

what the heck man 1000 pounds for a new computer just cause yours cant run 5 instances of massive?
the hell man for that money you could buy a proper synthesizer, even an analog one or something like an octatrack, all of which would spark lots and lots of creativity, new approaches to making music, plus do work you computer won't have to struggle with.

also your computer has way way way better specs than my notebook which doesnt even have a graphics card let alone a proper processor and even i can run 5 instances of massive, even on ultra. so unless you're using abstruse amounts of fx on each track there has to be another reason besides your computer's specs.

insane... thats an amount of money i'd kill for and you're willing to just throw it out of the window so you can play more with massive. jeez.

[Fletchur]

what the heck man 1000 pounds for a new computer just cause yours cant run 5 instances of massive?
the hell man for that money you could buy a proper synthesizer, even an analog one or something like an octatrack, all of which would spark lots and lots of creativity, new approaches to making music, plus do work you computer won't have to struggle with.

also your computer has way way way better specs than my notebook which doesnt even have a graphics card let alone a proper processor and even i can run 5 instances of massive, even on ultra. so unless you're using abstruse amounts of fx on each track there has to be another reason besides your computer's specs.

insane... thats an amount of money i'd kill for and you're willing to just throw it out of the window so you can play more with massive. jeez.

The sounds I am running do have lots of FX on them. But just because I'm not investing it on a "proper synthesizer" does not mean its a waste. To me spending 1000 on a
synthesizer is utter crazy. With a desktop I can do all the internet stuff as well, as well as music production. I don't want a synthesizer toy to boost creativity thats a waste.

There probably is another reason and I hope there is, I'm mostly new too this.

[Perej]

do the right thing and get a macbook pro

[deadly_habit]

do the right thing and get a macbook pro

OP go with an i5 or i7 get a sizable amount of RAM, grab an SSD for your OS drive.
1000 quid is a hell of a lot to piece together a beastly production PC especially if you already have an LCD and such.
Hell it's enough to make a pretty damn beastly gaming rig.
DON'T buy a prebuilt system or laptop (unless you're constantly traveling), it'll be a waste of money.
You can build a hackintosh with mac pro specs for about half the cost just FYI.
http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/18/how-to-bu ... -for-1148/

[hasezwei]

I'm mostly new too this.

then why spend so much money on it
format your computer, only install the stuff you need, keep your HD clean and not too full, always have the latest drivers
and try using fx-chains more efficiently

if you really need to buy a new computer google the falcon guide, try to find the newest version. it's 4chan's guide to building your own pc using single parts, that way you get everything you need without unnecessary extras and most of the times more power for less money than buying a prebuilt pc.
OS not included of course.

too big to embed
http://images.wikia.com/4changboard/ima ... _Guide.png

and the way you talk about hardware... of course it might be too early to buy dedicated hardware but if you're already willing to invest so much money into your new hobby just go to a music store and try one out if possible. there's a reason most if not all producers get hardware once they've had a bit of success so they can afford it.
again, for 1k bucks you could get a hard/software hybrid like the virus or something like a UAD card, both help out your cpu greatly and offer you sounds not possible otherwise, even if you don't want a "toy" (wow... and i thought massive was the toy not the other way round)

[mthrfnk]

You don't need to spend so much to buy a PC capable of running that many Massives.
My PC cost around £650 and the only thing that starts to kill it is multiple instances of iZotope products or LuSH-101. Massive, on ULTRA mode, causes me little to no problems.

[hasezwei]

You don't need to spend so much to buy a PC capable of running that many Massives.
My PC cost around £650 and the only thing that starts to kill it is multiple instances of iZotope products or LuSH-101. Massive, on ULTRA mode, causes me little to no problems.

from what he's said i suppose it's not massive being the problem, it's absurdly long fx chains on every single sound cause everyone knows the more fx the better the sound right?














(no)

[mthrfnk]

External FX (as in VST plugins) or FX within the synths?

Also OP you run FL right? Try: Tools>Macros>Switch Smart Disable...
That saves me a lot of ballache when I'm playing/editing a final project.