Subject:what computer is best?

Posted by: gogodave

Date:10/29/2001 11:58:29 AM

i have been having alot of problems with sound forge on dell. does anyone know of a better, pre built computer to run this software?

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: PatrickL

Date:10/29/2001 12:54:06 PM

1. Mabye avoid Via based chipset (there is a fix but I am assuming the most hands off type of computer right?)

2.Avoid Sound Blaster unless you wish to convert 44000 to 48000 or vice versa for sound

3. Get to know some tweaks for you computer overall (visit computer based forums) cos they will make a difference in pops and clicks and so much more.

4. Here are also some links on computer set ups which are most error free (jot them down if you want, look them up online or hand it over to a local custom computer maker if you find it better that way).

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/Forum20/HTML/000474.html

http://linux1723.dn.net/forum/Forum2/HTML/015289.html

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: gogodave

Date:10/29/2001 4:32:08 PM

I guess i should say more. the company i work for just bought a bunch of dells. all different models. we are using digidesign's audiomedia III and midiman's delta. all of which freeze up during recording. i had a friend build some custom units which use audiomedia III. they seem to work fine. does anyone use gateway, compaq, hp, etc.? how well do they work?

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: beetlefan

Date:10/29/2001 5:11:53 PM

Your problems have nothing to do with the manufacturer of the PC. It has to do with the operating system, it's configuration, or the fact that you may be on a network.

If you are meeting the technical reqirements for running Sound Forge I suggest you contact the SF support.

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: sk

Date:10/29/2001 7:57:21 PM

I was just at Digidesign's site yesterday and they have some very specific compatibility issues. They listed their free 5.0.1 tools as needing 128 MB of ram. I have 120, and the program wouldn't install, citing the lack of sufficient ram. But at least they're clear about the issues. AMD K6-2, which I have, does not work well with their programs. And they have some cross-compatibility issues involving their own software. So my suggestion is go to their site if you haven't already, and check out their recommendations. They essentially recommend the latest version of Pentiums along with the fastest hard drives and no VIA chipsets. But they go into more detail there.
Regards,
sk
btw, their URL is http://www.digidesign.com/ and the second URL is where they discuss some of the compatability issues.
http://www.digidesign.com/compato/mainfreewin.html

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: beetlefan

Date:10/30/2001 8:36:45 AM

That's why they can get away with offering Pro Tools For Free, not that many people can successfully use it.

Pro Tools in any flavor just wasn't designed with the home user in mind.

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: Petrified

Date:10/30/2001 4:55:34 PM

Working at Sweetwater I have had to create contacts at Dell to configure a computer the "correct" way in order for the compatibility and other such issues to be resolved. Folks would order a computer from "Bob's computer store" and would get a configuration that has all kinds of conflicts.

I would say that 8 out of 10 times when you are experiencing the problems that you are with your Dell, it would be other issues, not the manufacture, but with setup, hardware conflicts, etc...


Beetlefan mentioned the Protools was not designed for the home user, I would have to respectfully disagree. Sweetwater sells more Digi001 and Toolbox systems then I can count and they are all welcomed by the user. I agree that the power of a full TDM system could not be scaled down onto a native system (as of yet) but the 001 and the toolbox are both GREAT audio interfaces/hardware for most peoples audio and MIDI needs. Both are still considered to be professional.

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: olino

Date:10/30/2001 6:47:04 PM

well,

I am using SF with a Pentium II 400Mhz with 256Mb memory and Hd 7200 rpm.
No probleme...

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:10/30/2001 9:26:53 PM

Lol, Beetlefan always makes these kind of comments without having any background info to support it. You have to excuse him, he's a moron. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to operate Protools, maybe Beetlefan has problems operating it, but his IQ isn't on the high side. Protools free was directly developed for consumers wishing to get exposure to a Protools experience, without having to buy all the hardware, which is required on every other Protools system. This is also the factor that makes Protools a solid audio system. Protools Free is limited to 8 audio tracks, thus it's really a demo product marketed to get more users interested in buying the other versions. That's why it's free!!!

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: BrianBC

Date:10/31/2001 2:10:53 AM

I'm using a VIA KT133 chipset, (recently upgraded) and am having some problems. When I go into record the system monitor goes off the scale. In record SF is using all my processing power. Playing back is fine. You mentioned a fix for this. Please let me know. It's driving me crazy!!!
Cheers
BB

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: PatrickL

Date:10/31/2001 6:08:25 PM

"I'm using a VIA KT133 chipset, (recently upgraded) and am having some problems. When I go into record the system monitor goes off the scale. In record SF is using all my processing power. Playing back is fine. You mentioned a fix for this. Please let me know. It's driving me crazy!!!
Cheers
BB"

Try these alt drivers which should help via chipsets for audio

http://www.viahardware.com/download/index.shtm

Subject:RE: what computer is best?

Reply by: Petrified

Date:11/1/2001 12:36:25 PM

olino,

You are doing the exact thing that I recommend my customers at Sweetwater to do. P2 or 3 not 4 (at least no yet) win 98 (folks are getting there act together in righting drivers for 2000, and they should be finished soon) 2 hard drives, one for audio and the other for programs. Both 7200rpm. If multitracking is involved then SCSI drives may be appropriate, 256RAM or more...