Which PC? Please help

[tripit]

Hi,
I use Mac\'s in my pro-tool studio and want to get a PC just for GSt.
I\'ve seen several posts in here saying that a Celeron 500+ works fine. Others
say that P3 is the only way to go. I don\'t know much about PC\'s - but I\'m wondering
if a store bought PC, such as Compaq with a Celeron 566 w /FHC, 256mg, 2nd 7200 rpm drive and a gina card would work fine as a stand alone gigastudio. I won\'t really need the effects, just full use of voices. I\'m looking to put something together without spending a fortune, but I don\'t want to end up with a nightmare.
Thanks in advance.

[VictorD]

Dear Tripit

Yes, indeed these are good questions to consider. First of all you need to make the
final choice.

This is my experience as a professional musician and software engineer. Celeron can work with Gigasampler/Gigastudio and you will find users very happy with such a product. You will also find users not so happy with Celeron. The most successfull pcs I have seen most users happy with is definately a Pentium 3 as I am the owner of one. I have been very fortunate with my pc I bought.
I am happy to say that even though I spent a few more dollars, its worth it than buying generic pcs. I classify a Generic Pc as a typical office pc. These are the pcs they sell mostly through big vendors.

I believe a pc should be a music studio and built by muicians or Audio Gurus that understand whats needed to make a studio pc different form a Generic PC. There are many
problems with Generic PCS. Its the questions we ask \"which Pentium\" \"The bigger the better\" . This is not the criterria. Rather What does the Motherboard Support. Which harddrive and what is the data transfer rate(Not necesseraly the seek time or rpm that count, its more than that.

I just bought a Pc running Gigastudio, Cubase
AARDVARK PRO 24/96 which I am very happpy with. People are \"Jealous\" to know I havent had any problems with my Gigasstudio set up why??
Because I bought a studio PC and no \"Crap\"modems and drives I would take out anyway to replace with good gear.(in this way I saved more money and spent it on a good Rewritable drive)

My set up
Pentium 3
700 MHZ (Motherboard supports Ultra 66)
2 harddrives (Ultra ATA 66 and SCSI)
Excelllent cd rewritable from Plextor(reads 12x) (my Favorite)
256 megs of ram
cd drive
floppy drive
cool case with 4 pci slots(think expansion)

This is my set up and as a musician and computer buff I would recommend these guys any day.

You might want to ask them how much for a studio pc with your requirements and it will be custom made if they dont have the model you want.

I chose the Studio Classic but added the scsi drive and 128 megss of Ram.=(256 megsram)

I bought mine from Soundsonics pcs and they are music Gurus.

I had mine within 1 month which is good for a custom configured and tested audio workstation.

The guys name is David and the companys
e-mail is soundsonics@netexecutive.com

I hope that I have given you enough info, remember you make the final choice!!!!

Mine was good!!!

VictorD

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
Hi,
I use Mac\'s in my pro-tool studio and want to get a PC just for GSt.
I\'ve seen several posts in here saying that a Celeron 500+ works fine. Others
say that P3 is the only way to go. I don\'t know much about PC\'s - but I\'m wondering
if a store bought PC, such as Compaq with a Celeron 566 w /FHC, 256mg, 2nd 7200 rpm drive and a gina card would work fine as a stand alone gigastudio. I won\'t really need the effects, just full use of voices. I\'m looking to put something together without spending a fortune, but I don\'t want to end up with a nightmare.
Thanks in advance. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 09-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 09-02-2000).]

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 02-21-2001).]

[tripit]

Thanks for the reply VictorD,
I\'ll check out your tip, although I think that because I already own several top of the line mac\'s, blown out with protools, logic audio, and a ton of other music programs, I really only need a PC machine that will do just GSt. I won\'t need it to do any other audio or sequenceing, so maybe I can go with somewhat less of a machine. I know that having a good machine is worth the money, but I don\'t want to spend a fortune on yet one more compter system, especialy one that will only be used for one thing.
I will take your advice though about looking for a custom made one. Hopefully they will be able to set me up with something not to expensive but good for GSt.
tripit

[tripit]

Sorry about the icon - was suppose to be a smile
tripit

[Haydn]

Gigastudio needs a lot of power and will not work as well on a lesser machine. VictorD\'s system is a good base system. Get at least 256 MB of RAM and fast hard drives. I recommend at least a PIII 700 if you want to use the full capabilities of Gigastudio. You should probably stay away from many name brand systems as they load them up with alot of software that will slow down the system. Most of the companies do not support stripped down software if you have problems. They normally make you reinstall all the junk from their installation disks when their is a problem. PIII 733 is at a good price (Approx. $200 for the processor) at this time. Any faster and the prices jump. Any slower and their isn\'t much of a cost savings. Hope this helps.

[VictorD]

Dear Tripit

There are many good things about a studio pc
and yes it could cost you more, but trust me
with Gigastudio you need better than a Generic PC even if you only use it for Gigastudio.

As HaydN said there are a lot of crap software on your pc which comes preloaded. Also with Generic pcs you get modems and other hardware components which disrupt your performance by sharing IRQ interrupts and glitches could accur.

I would recommend you talk to Dave at Soundsonics and just ask him advice before you purchase a Generic system.

I am using Windows 98 Lite with my system because I am running my pc for Gigastudio.

My other PC is a P3 850 MHZ
128 M RAM
1 harddrive for my programs.

I just want to give you my experience and expertise, but you make the final choice.

Sincerely,

Victor D


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
Thanks for the reply VictorD,
I\'ll check out your tip, although I think that because I already own several top of the line mac\'s, blown out with protools, logic audio, and a ton of other music programs, I really only need a PC machine that will do just GSt. I won\'t need it to do any other audio or sequenceing, so maybe I can go with somewhat less of a machine. I know that having a good machine is worth the money, but I don\'t want to spend a fortune on yet one more compter system, especialy one that will only be used for one thing.
I will take your advice though about looking for a custom made one. Hopefully they will be able to set me up with something not to expensive but good for GSt.
tripit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[tripit]

Thanks for the help guys. I put a call into Dave and sent him an email.
Cheers
tripit

[JohnW]

oh <BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
Thanks for the help guys. I put a call into Dave and sent him an email.
Cheers
tripit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks to Soundsonics and VictorD!!

I now have a very special system which is working great with Gigastudio 160. I can Produce a fast array of Orchestral Techniques and feel confident in using this Product.

JohnW

[Raven]

Thanks guys for your help.

I placed an order to David of soundsonics.
Their email is soundsonics@netexecutive.com
and tel 503-999-8305.

He is building me a killer Machine.

I tried Soundchaser and others and I found, that they sell systems not suited for everyones needs.I found Soundsonics to be the best. I am going to be the owner of a 1 Gighz machine.

See Ya

Raven


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
Hi,
I use Mac\'s in my pro-tool studio and want to get a PC just for GSt.
I\'ve seen several posts in here saying that a Celeron 500+ works fine. Others
say that P3 is the only way to go. I don\'t know much about PC\'s - but I\'m wondering
if a store bought PC, such as Compaq with a Celeron 566 w /FHC, 256mg, 2nd 7200 rpm drive and a gina card would work fine as a stand alone gigastudio. I won\'t really need the effects, just full use of voices. I\'m looking to put something together without spending a fortune, but I don\'t want to end up with a nightmare.
Thanks in advance. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[This message has been edited by Raven (edited 10-09-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Raven (edited 12-03-2000).]

[tripit]

I just got my new machine yesterday - built by David at Soundsonics and it\'s killer. Anyone else out there looking for a PC, you should try Soundsonics. David is great and very flexible. Now I\'m off to translator land to see how well Rubber chicken can translate Roland samples.
Tripit

[Raven]

Hey guys, I got my Gigastudio running on my new Digital Audio Workstation from Soundsonics.

I am glad that I was referred to Soundsonics.
I can get full polyphony on my new System and Pops and Glitches are of the past for me.

I love the way it is built as it is exactly what I wanted. Yes David at Sounsonics is very flexible and I like it. I would recommend him stongly and am glad I did not buy a PC from Dell.

I am in Love with my new DAW. It Rocks and I can expand it up to 1.5 gigs of Ram if I ever wanted to. My wife comes first but boy its a hard choice!!

Thanks Soundsonics!!!

Raven.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
I just got my new machine yesterday - built by David at Soundsonics and it\'s killer. Anyone else out there looking for a PC, you should try Soundsonics. David is great and very flexible. Now I\'m off to translator land to see how well Rubber chicken can translate Roland samples.
Tripit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Dear Tripitt or Raven

I see some great reviews on your gear you purchased from soundsonics. What makes these guys so good and not only that.....

I dont often hear about success with Gigastudio Computer gear while in the working environment.I always hear horrors with glitches. Have all you dudes experienced any I say!!

Let me know as I am considering them to build me a PC.

Stay Cool Man!!!

TREX

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tripit:
I just got my new machine yesterday - built by David at Soundsonics and it\'s killer. Anyone else out there looking for a PC, you should try Soundsonics. David is great and very flexible. Now I\'m off to translator land to see how well Rubber chicken can translate Roland samples.
Tripit<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Chadwick]

Hey TREX,

I don\'t know too many people who would bother posting to this forum if they weren\'t having some kind of problem they needed sorted.

That\'s the nature of these places.

FWIW, I\'m about 60-70% happy with the performance of Gigastudio overall.

So far, in two weeks of working I\'ve had very few crashes which I can put at the feet of Gigastudio. I\'ve had several caused by corrupt conversions by a beta version of a third party programme. Most of the time Gigastudio just sits there and does what I ask it to, which is a lot better than the mungrel PC I have at home, or the piece of garbage my partner uses in the office.

Mind you, I\'m sure I could change that picture by installing a few games, internet, and a couple of demo downloads http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

[Raven]

TREX,

I bought my PC from Soundsonics, My PC runs Gigastudio 160 easy, no problem, in fact I think it can take even more than that. I have not run into any errors. The performance is phenominal!!!!!. I layer a lot and that is hard on the CPU. Not on mine!!. I am very happy with their quality and service. Tripitt is correct David of Soundsonics is very flexible and will build you exactly what you want. My PC was plug and play all configured. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS
Load Gigastudio. I have so much expansion for years to come!!!

They are worth it and I would recommend them any day!!!!

Tripitt tell us about your experience on Soundsonic\'s Product.

I am off to buying a bigger library of Sounds as I have a total of 100 Gigabytes on my Harddrive.

Thank you very much Soundsonics!!!!

Raven

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TREX:
Dear Tripitt or Raven

I see some great reviews on your gear you purchased from soundsonics. What makes these guys so good and not only that.....

I dont often hear about success with Gigastudio Computer gear while in the working environment.I always hear horrors with glitches. Have all you dudes experienced any I say!!

Let me know as I am considering them to build me a PC.

Stay Cool Man!!!

TREX

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Simon Ravn]

Raven, can you tell me a couple of things about that machine you got? Since I\'m not from the US I don\'t have the option to get a custombuilt machine like that, but if you could tell me 1) which motherboard is in the machine and 2) maybe what HD controller, then it could help guide me in the right direction!

I am about to buy an AMD Thunderbird machine for Gigastudio specifically, so I\'d like to be confirmed or the opposite, as to if this is the right choice.

Thanks in advance,
Simon

[VictorD]

Hi Simon,
My System smokes

You might want to call Dave at Soundsonics,
I am very \" HAPPY\" with my DAW !!

Very Stable Systems, I also have the Aardvark Pro/24/96 and have heard others love it for its stability with Giga and Sound quality.

VictorD

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Simon Ravn:
Raven, can you tell me a couple of things about that machine you got? Since I\'m not from the US I don\'t have the option to get a custombuilt machine like that, but if you could tell me 1) which motherboard is in the machine and 2) maybe what HD controller, then it could help guide me in the right direction!

I am about to buy an AMD Thunderbird machine for Gigastudio specifically, so I\'d like to be confirmed or the opposite, as to if this is the right choice.

Thanks in advance,
Simon<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 02-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 02-21-2001).]

[Raven]

Hey, Dudes

It was great chatting with you. Try out the forum sometime, and well talk.

Simon

killer machine!!!. The Motherboard is /Thunderbired/Abit/Pc 133 Ram (Corsair) Ati 16 Video, Seagate 20Gig and 45 Gig.

See YA!!!



[This message has been edited by Raven (edited 02-21-2001).]

[VictorD]

Hey Raven,

Meet me on the forum.
I have a question on Gigastudio\'s Editor. Anyone who knows about the Editor and how to changes values as far as Duration etc. Meet us on the chatforum on Wednesday nights.

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 02-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by VictorD (edited 02-21-2001).]