Standard Pentium 4 (2.66) PC for LIVE. Pre-Purchase Question

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:12 am

Hi

I've got a standard Pentium.4 (2.66) CPU (NOT a duo2 or Quad) with 1.Gig Ram and a fast 7,200 H/Drive 300.Gig. Windows XP.

I want to know for my specific purpose if my computer will be able to handle 24.Tracks Audio (Including Midi-Drums and Bass within LIVE) Possibly a third party VST Instrument Plugin that isn't too heavy on CPU, with all other instruments (Vocals, Guitars) recorded Live on Ableton Live.6. Should my PC be able to handle all that?

My aim is to produce high quality, professional, finished productions.

I know how to tweak XP (turning off useless services and apps running in the background) keeping my PC regularly maintained and clean (no spyware, no adware, no crapware) This helps to get more out of any DAW.

I read about Ableton Live.6 and watched the demos/tutorials, I'm very impressed. I believe Live is much more than a Loop Based DAW for Electronica Dance music. I'm mostly into New Age Rock 'N Roll but I do many other styles too.

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longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:42 am

You are pushing it a little bit.

I also have a P4 2.6. But I had to go to 2G ram and get a new HD (now total of 3 HDs in this music computer) to really get on well with Live 6

I think you will do OK if you upgrade your RAM, but you will need to be smart about how you work because you won't have power to spare.

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:25 am

Thanks for the reply

Memory is cheap! I'll upgrade to 2.Gig Ram

Hmm I suppose in the near future I may have to get a Intel Core.2 Duo CPU and good Motherboard for approximately $400.(USD)

nathannn · Post by **nathannn** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:23 am

24 tracks of simultaneous audio with vst effects is really pushing it.
i seriously doubt it would be able to handle it even at the highest latency settings.
if you where just using 24 audio tracks and no plug ins i still would have a hard time trusting live.
i wouldn't see a problem with this setup with any other program besides live.
live is extremely cpu heavy and does not handle disk streaming as well as other programs such as reaper.

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:47 am

Thanks for that info

I won't be recording 24 Tracks "Simultaneously" NO!!

.... I'll be doing each track one by one.

Latency will be less an issue with an M-Audio PCI 1010 compared to most other FW and USB interfaces although with my PC loaded with the latest DAW? latency could be an issue that would render this whole endeavor as useless.

Hmmm I was concerned that my PC would be pushing it, huffing, puffing, spluttering *cough* *cough* *cough*

Reaper has great potential but at this point in time it isn't my choice! I would need extra serious plugins. I've been programming drums for years I want a solid sounding and tight rhythm section and bass which means I need clever, simple, excellent quantizing tools and all sounds within the drum kit separated for better control and production, the rest (vocals, guitars, keyboards) is icing on a solid foundation.

Unless I can hop on a Time Machine back to 2002 hehehe that would be cool. The problem is, almost ALL new DAW's are heavy on CPU.

Oh Well!! I'll just have to upgrade my CPU to Core2 Duo, a good Motherboard and at least 2.Gig Ram.

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sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:53 am

dB Mania wrote:Thanks for the reply

Memory is cheap! I'll upgrade to 2.Gig Ram

Hmm I suppose in the near future I may have to get a Intel Core.2 Duo CPU and good Motherboard for approximately $400.(USD)

you have to be joking what a rip off

i just got my friends computer upgraded, a new motherboard + RAM + cpu cost him about $130 USD....

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:58 am

sweetjesus wrote:
dB Mania wrote:Thanks for the reply

Memory is cheap! I'll upgrade to 2.Gig Ram

Hmm I suppose in the near future I may have to get a Intel Core.2 Duo CPU and good Motherboard for approximately $400.(USD)
you have to be joking what a rip off

i just got my friends computer upgraded, a new motherboard + RAM + cpu cost him about $130 USD....

I plan on geting a motherboard that supports fast bus speed, fast ram speed, an Intel Core2.Duo with expansion to Quad Core.

At Tiger Direct or Newegg? .com

Q: Where did your friend shop at?

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longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:27 am

sweetjesus wrote:a new motherboard + RAM + cpu cost him about $130 USD....

le wha?

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:15 am

longjohns wrote:
sweetjesus wrote:a new motherboard + RAM + cpu cost him about $130 USD....
le wha?

Yes SweetJesus, how about giving us the glory details?

FOR EXAMPLE:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor - 3.0GHz, 4MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Conroe, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775, BX80557E6850, Processor with Fan. > > >> The CPU Alone Costs: $309.99.(USD)

....and here's the link:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... No=3241546

.

wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:01 am

dB Mania wrote:Hi

I want to know for my specific purpose if my computer will be able to handle 24.Tracks Audio (Including Midi-Drums and Bass within LIVE) Possibly a third party VST Instrument Plugin that isn't too heavy on CPU, with all other instruments (Vocals, Guitars) recorded Live on Ableton Live.6. Should my PC be able to handle all that?

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i doubt you will need to run 24 tracks with effects. if you start becoming low on power freeze tracks or resample them so they are not playing effects.

What soundcard are you using?

wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:10 am

sorry, just read the rest of the thread.

You know - if you buy Live, you have access to all of the latest updates of live dating back to version 1.

Just downloadable in the downloads section.

so you can download live 2 and run it. exceptions are for macintels cos only live 5.2 supports UB.

Why dont you just try the live demo, and then see how it runs on your machine.

the demo is full version minus save, render & export.

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:31 am

wilxon wrote:
dB Mania wrote:Hi

I want to know for my specific purpose if my computer will be able to handle 24.Tracks Audio (Including Midi-Drums and Bass within LIVE) Possibly a third party VST Instrument Plugin that isn't too heavy on CPU, with all other instruments (Vocals, Guitars) recorded Live on Ableton Live.6. Should my PC be able to handle all that?

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i doubt you will need to run 24 tracks with effects. if you start becoming low on power freeze tracks or resample them so they are not playing effects.

What soundcard are you using?

Your idea about the "Freeze" tracks is something to consider! Thanks that's a very good point

RE: I've got an old M-Audio 24/96 PCI.

Hey Wilxon

I've never installed "Demos" downloads, not too keen on that idea. I'm considering upgrading my PC whilst I weigh all other options first. Watching the Live.6 video's is enough for me to get the basic idea

I'm just looking around first before I leap into the abyss. I have use "older" versions of Sonar and Cubase (Boxed Versions running on a Pentium.3) But I no longer have those Daw's since I moved from Australia to the USA to be with my wife. Now after two years of going through the immigration process I want to get back to serious recording.

Live.6 has won many awards such as the Remix best Daw awards. I want a Daw that not only handles loops and arrangements on the fly but also does audio recordings with ease and keeping it all in perfect timing, a nice "groove" without disruptions to my creativity workflow.

I just wished these "new" DAW's and Plugins focused more on being less and less demanding on CPU. Daw's such as Sonar and Cubase have become so loaded to the point of being ridiculous!

Sorry for the long disgruntled post!! I just had to let it all out!

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wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:56 am

the demo to live 6 is actually the program.

there is nothing added or taken away - just until you put in your unlock code or unlock online it remains in demo mode.

Exactly the same way as it will if you install off the bought disc.

I would reccommend installing the latest version though cos there have been 7 updates since the disc release.

Install the demo - like it - buy it - just input your serial & unlock - full version.

I think your point about having less CPU hungry programs, there are lots about, live 4 was a lot less cpu hungry to live 6 but has only half of the features.

Live 6 does the best it can by automatically switching off things that are not being used. If you have a reverb effect open and you are playing nothing through it or playing a period of silence through it it will register 0%cpu.

its a smart program.

Also if you get a soundcard with its own onboard processor you can take a big strain of your cpu. Emu 1616m & RME Hammerfall range spring to my mind.

dB Mania · Post by **dB Mania** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:42 am

I agree, Live is smart, it's a great DAW! I read at lot of positive things about Lve, listened and watched all the videos.

I love it

I want the "BOX" version, that how I always buy.

I thought! Ah! What the heck! I'll buy it and if I get to 18 tracks and after using freeze feature and the CPU struggles too much *cough* cough* then I can always upgrade my computer soon after

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wilxon · Post by **wilxon** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:08 am

dB Mania wrote:I agree, Live is smart, it's a great DAW! I read at lot of positive things about Lve, listened and watched all the videos.

I love it

I want the "BOX" version, that how I always buy.

I thought! Ah! What the heck! I'll buy it and if I get to 18 tracks and after using freeze feature and the CPU struggles too much *cough* cough* then I can always upgrade my computer soon after

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precisely.

do you have a shelf in your studio with loads of boxes on it?

i do.

I look at it and think - i own them.

Standard Pentium 4 (2.66) PC for LIVE. Pre-Purchase Question

Standard Pentium 4 (2.66) PC for LIVE. Pre-Purchase Question

Re: Standard Pentium 4 (2.66) PC for LIVE. Pre-Purchase Ques

Re: Standard Pentium 4 (2.66) PC for LIVE. Pre-Purchase Ques