Suggestions on building a DAW

The Dude · #1 10-14-2002, 07:37 PM

Hello Everyone,

Trying to educate myself before building my DAW.

Was considering the following:

Pentium IV 2.8
Gigabyte GA-8IHXP i850E
1024 mb 1066 RDRAM
Adaptec 39160 SCSI card
Seagate ST373405LCV Hard Drive (x2)(for Recorded data)
IBM DTLA-307075 (for OS and software)(Few games of course)
ATI 9700 Pro APG Video Card
MOTU 1296
TC Elcetronics G-Force Effects
Mesa Boogie Triaxis Pre-amp
Windows XP Professional
I have Sonar XL2.0, Need suggestions on software that does Surround,
Front,Rear,Center,Sub-woofer mixing
Insert this in a 5U rackmount Case

I would like to be able to record all 12 inputs at once from the MOTU 1296.
This possible?

Any suggestions,comments,criticism

is welcomed, I like hearing what other
have experienced

Thanks,
The Dude

AlexBHome · #2 10-14-2002, 07:46 PM

If your 1296 is firewire I'd use caution, but otherwise you should be able to record all 12 inputs simultaneously. You've got a machine that will totally eat up and spit out anything that you throw at it.

You don't need 1024mb of RAM though. 512mb and even 768mb will be more than enough... even Nuendo doesn't use much RAM beyond that with its native design... its mostly processor power and hard drive speed that you should bump up, and for most applications a P4 2.8 is overkill already.

Only thing you're missing is an interface from the 1296 to your PC, unless you're going to get the whole bundle... I recommend Hammerfall cards. They're the best on PC imo.

Nuendo does surround sound with its surround sound pack.. total price is around 2k at a good dealer, more like 2400 list price.

-Alex

The Dude · #3 10-14-2002, 08:14 PM

Hello AlexBhome,

Planned to purchase the MOTU 1296 with the Audiowire PCI-324 card. That way I could upgrade to three total 1296 units.

Thanks for the quick response.

Thanks,

The Dude

Soup Kitchen Studios · #4 10-14-2002, 08:25 PM

You don't need any interface between the 1296 and your computer. They come packaged with the PCI-324... which is the only card you can use.

I also don't think 1024 of ram is overkill. Especially if you plan to use any software samplers. I have 2GBs in my mac and i routinely go over 1300MBs.

I'd wait a couple of months on the 1296. MOTU has announced a replacement for it that will use the new PCI-424 card and have the same converters as the PT 192s. Even if you don't want the newer hardware, the price should plummit on the 1296 after the press release during winter namm. The 2408mkiii that was just released remained at the same price as the mkii, sending the mkii's to the blowout section. You can probably expect the same from the 1296 update.

Also, I'd seriously consider one of the new dual g4 power macs. I'm a former Sonar user and once you experience the power of Digital Performer you won't want to ever see cakewalk again. DP also does Surround.

Instead of the G-Foce, you should consider Waves Gold plugins or maybe a UAD-1 DSP card plus some other plugs.

By the way, a firewire 828 or 896 would easily record all 16 tracks at the same time as long as you have a couple of 7200RPM hard drives. I don't think you'll have any problems with the 1296.

AlexBHome · #5 10-15-2002, 01:42 AM

Good call on the PCI-324. I had used an 828 with Firewire and not got good results with a Powerbook.

The RAM issue is definitely important should you wish to use a Mac. If you're using a PC, with samplers, most programs out use hard disk storage like Gigasampler / Halion, and if you have a 10,000RPM drive or better, they work as well as RAM.. plus, nothing else on your PC unless you're rendering video will make use of the RAM.

I'm on either side of the fence with Mac / PC. I've developed for and on the PC all my life, and have seen and used the wonders of Pro Tools that have come and go to be matched by programs like Nuendo (though HD ups the ante). Both systems have their ups and downs. The best thing about DP that I like is the 'humanize' function for quantization

-Alex

bammbamm · #6 10-15-2002, 10:08 AM

What about using the MOTU 24I?
That has 24 ins and 2 outs for monitoring.
Motu makes some great stuff, you'll be happy no matter which model, just curious about your needs as far as inputs.
Final product really hinges on where you master your projects too.

As far as the workstation I would always tend to side with overkill because you may decide to upgrade sw packages and they may integrate more cpu intensive applications as time goes on. Sometimes more is more !

Bamm

Lonely Raven · #7 10-15-2002, 10:33 AM

I would also forget about the IBM hard drive.

There is a class action law suit againsed IBM about the quality of those
drives, so I would highly recommend you avoid them unless you like
losing data.

If I were you, I'd go for the Western Digital Special Edition Hard Drives
at www.newegg.com They happen to be on sale now.

http://www.newegg.com/

The rest of the system (computer wise) looks pretty good.

bammbamm · #8 10-15-2002, 11:47 AM

Raven is right, IBM actually has a problem with long term use in certain drives. Go with another mfr.
Bamm

Tsorovan · #9 10-16-2002, 05:56 AM

I second that. Western Digital are the only ones who make decent (there are no really good ones nowadays) IDE drives. Stay away from IBM and especially Maxtor.

Also, RDRAM doesn't really have any real-world advantages over PC2700 DDR...but on the other hand it's not that much more expensive either...but if you can save a hundred bucks or so by going PC2700 (possible, but you'd need another mobo then), I say go for DDR.

30yroldpig · #10 10-16-2002, 01:40 PM

Check out the new DIGI002 Firewire interface. You've got 4 pre's, it's a stand alone digital console and control surface (which is VERY cool, you mix directly in Pro-Tools using automation for fader, panner and sends controls-It's the future of mixing-trust me) and it's available for MAC and PC (Win XP). Suggested retail is 2500 US all you need after that is speakers and an extra audio drive.

I'm gonna check it out at a demo today.

Good luck

Cheers
Pat