What is the best P.C on the market to run Cubase and other music software programs?

[Reag1502]

I am just at my wits end with F#$KING with this B.S. I am about to give it all up, and just listen to music, instead of trying to MAKE music. I went out and bought a brand new H.P computer a couple of days ago to make my life easier with this whole recording process. Turns out that its made my life 10 times MORE difficult! I downloaded Cubase on my new system and everything went ok, except that I kept getting these audio dropouts that I could'nt figure out. I spent all day yesterday talking with everyone on the phone from Cubase to Presonus, and nobody could figure out what the **** it was. Turns out, that its my NEW computer causing the problems! I rehooked everything back up to my old system, and what do you know, it all worked great. The new computer has Windows XP Media center, and some guy at Presonus said that could be the problem, so now he's wanting me to do all this crap that will take me 4 freakin days to complete, and knowing me it will do NO good! Can you tell that I am a little frustrated?

Any way my million dollar question is this

IS THERE a P.C COMPUTER THAT WILL WORK MUSIC STUFF??????????


I don't care if its DELL, COMPAC, HOME BUILD, GATEWAY ETC,, WHAT EVER

[dementedchord]

feel for ya brother... that's why if i was going to buy a new machine and wanted it to be a stable beast... i'ld look into an application specific preconfigured puter... like an ADK or sonic...

[statikcat]

There are companies that make computers specifically for audio/multimedia.

Often Media Center and/or computers from companies like HP/Dell come bloated with hardware, software, and background processes that can get in the way. The best bet is to install a fresh version of XP without any extra crap. HP and whatnot often come with preinstalled apps and crap.. which is like buying a tv show on DVD and it still has the commercials. Really annoying.

Anyway, ADK and PCaudiolabs come to mind.

[barryjohns]

In all my DAW years, I've never had a Mac that didn't work. You may not want to be on the Mac OS, but that is one advantage, is that they all have no issues with recording music. Some are better than others simply because of horsepower, but they all work.

You've got to pick the Compter/OS that best suites your needs. There are plenty of guys using Windows based machines with a lot of luck. The only thing is, with a Mac, you know it's going to work.

If Windows is what you want, then you are best to build your own with parts that are known to work well with each other for audio. I have put together several over the years and it really is very easy. This is you best bet, I think at least.

Best of luck.

[reflexon]

Yeah. I would wipe your os drive, get a frsh copy of xp pro on there and update all the drivers for the computer. But first, I would check and make sure that your hardware doesn't have a conflict with the chipset you are running.

Doing a reinstall of windows will take maybe an hour, not four days.

[fetishfrog]

The best bet is to install a fresh version of XP without any extra crap.

I purchased an HP computer and it wasn't until I did a fresh XP install (I actually went with x64) from an OEM disk that things became stable. While it is possible to get a stable DAW from an off the shelf computer, the amount of tweaking/troubleshooting that can go into such a task may not be worth it. If I were to do it over again, I'd either build my own (with careful research of all potential compatability issues) or buy from a known, reputable DAW builder like ADK or Sonica. The latter solution will guarantee you a stable DAW with tech support...definitely worth the price if you are less than tech savvy. Whatever rout you go, good luck.

[Tantrum The Cat]

I run a two-computer setup (one Mac, one PC) and this website helped me a LOT:

http://www.musicxp.net/

[Reag1502]

Thanks guys, I think I am just going to return it. There's one more thing I am going to try that some guy at Presonus suggested, and if that doesn't work I'm done.

[Henchman]

It might help if you old us what interface you're using.
I've never had a problem with PC's running audo apps.
If you bought one of those Media PC's becasue they look so cool, well, thta's a big mistake.
You don't want to use Windows media center. period.
Fresh install with XP is the place to start.
Other than that it's pretty simple.
You should have also asked aout MB's etc, before buying the HP.
BTW, did you disable any wirless cards?

[Reag1502]

Originally Posted by Henchman

It might help if you old us what interface you're using.
I've never had a problem with PC's running audo apps.
If you bought one of those Media PC's becasue they look so cool, well, thta's a big mistake.
You don't want to use Windows media center. period.
Fresh install with XP is the place to start.
Other than that it's pretty simple.
You should have also asked aout MB's etc, before buying the HP.
BTW, did you disable any wirless cards?

I didn't buy the H.P because it looked cool. I bought it because I thought it would make everything run a lot easier and smoother. Key work "THOUGHT" I told the moron that sold me the computer about 5 times, that I needed one with Windows XP professional or home edition. I didn't even know that there WAS a media windows edition? Someone made a suggestion, and this is what I am going to do. Return the Media center piece of crap, and just go get someone to build me a computer Specifically for recording music. Something that I should of done in the first place.

[manning1]

reag...
i'm looking at a new dual core right now....
but i assure you no media center pour moi.
xp for me.
if u return it....try and get a pc with xp on it.
ALSO....before buying it make sure u check out that your sound device
and daw software works with it.
just out of technical curiosity ....a friend of mine has media center and
ive been trying to get him into recording useing reaper.
(he dont have lotsa money.)
thus i'm real curious if reaper runs well under media center.
that is if your not too frustrated at this point.
i'm just trying to help a friend. if u cant..no problem.

[rynugz007]

I put together a rig for a buddy of mine and we ran into the exact problem. It was a new HP PC with windows media center. Cubase and windows media center do not get along. I installed window XP professinal and everything runs great now. He's really happy with everything.

Though once I had XP installed windows wouldnt recognize the ethernet port so I had to find a driver. That was the only snag though. Let me know if you end up swapping media center for XP and I'll give you a link for that driver. You'll probably run into the same problem.

[Reag1502]

Originally Posted by rynugz007

I put together a rig for a buddy of mine and we ran into the exact problem. It was a new HP PC with windows media center. Cubase and windows media center do not get along. I installed window XP professinal and everything runs great now. He's really happy with everything.

Though once I had XP installed windows wouldnt recognize the ethernet port so I had to find a driver. That was the only snag though. Let me know if you end up swapping media center for XP and I'll give you a link for that driver. You'll probably run into the same problem.

Thanks I really appreciate it. I really want my life long computer migrains to be a thing of the past if all possible

[ABGen]

www.alvio.com

Call them and ask for Leo Gobilusky - Russian guy that can build you a custom PC and with quiet or fanless parts - like the NVidia GeForce 7600GS - its fanless -

less noise, reliable - plain jane xp install - great pricing - smart russian engineer dudes

good luck

[shanabit]

Stop the madness bro

http://www.shop-sonica.com/default.cfm

http://www.adkproaudio.com/

[Reag1502]

Originally Posted by shanabit

Stop the madness bro

http://www.shop-sonica.com/default.cfm

http://www.adkproaudio.com/

Thanks for the heads up, but there is a place out here in Los Angeles were they are going to build me one.

[barryjohns]

I't really easy to do yourself. Try it.

[taturana]

i normally build my own computers... it's really cool, but i always have somebody i can ask about what's hot so i choose the best hardware... myself i am a fan of intel motherboards and chips.... i had a couple of pc's with asus motherboards and wasn't so happy with them...

[barryjohns]

I just go the latest issue of Sound on Sound in the mail today There is a section dedicated to building your own PC. Check it out.

[halcyo]

If you are NOT a computer geek, for christ's sake, get a Mac and thank me for it when you realize how much easier it is to run a home studio on one...

I won't even dare claim that they are any BETTER for recording (thats totally based on opinion) but god damn I will claim they are LESS HASSLE...

halcyo

[treymonfauntre]

i think you'd be much better off paying somebody in your local community $50 to help you part out and build a custom pc than to pay twice as much as the parts for something like a sweetwater/adk system
(but i'm glad they're netting profit on their knowledge/skills/compatability tests (really!))

[catfish11]

I have both, buy a mac

[upscaps]

Originally Posted by treymonfauntre

i think you'd be much better off paying somebody in your local community $50 to help you part out and build a custom pc than to pay twice as much as the parts for something like a sweetwater/adk system
(but i'm glad they're netting profit on their knowledge/skills/compatability tests (really!))

1. go to one of those daw builders sites. do the configuration for one of their $2200 beasts

2. go to www.mwave.com pick out same components and then add $75 option for them to build and test it for u. You will save $1000 easy. and get a warranty. Get an intel motherboard to go with intel processor.

3. go to musicxp.com and get easy to read & follow tweaks for windows xp (stay away from vista for now)

some say tech support is worth the extra $1000. I say if it's built right the first time why do I need tech support if all i'm doing is plugging in a pci card or two?

any problems u encounter will most likely be caused by the additional hardware u get like soundcard, duende, UAD-1, etc. and they have their own tech support for u.

[mastermind59]

How much are you looking to spend? I recently built a high end audio/gaming pc, it cost me a little over $1600 and runs cubase sx wonderfully. I can run over 100 plug ins on it with no problems. It's a core 2 duo e6600 system with 2gb of ram built with only the best components in a high quality g5 looking lian li case. The problem is when you buy an hp or something like that, they are crap you get what you pay for, and you need to know what parts you are getting. I recently got tired of using cracked versions of cubase and decided to go all out buy all my software and switch to logic so I bought a mac pro. Now I am looking to sell this pc system. I need the money to pay for my new mac pro so I wouldn't mind letting it go for around $1400. give or take a few bucks, plus shipping. I will show you pictures, invoices and screen shots of the specs. My ebay username is mastermindproductions, currently at 79 feedbacks 100% positive, look it up. My advice, don't waste your money buying from one of those daw building sites, they overcharge for everything and are there to make a profit. I am letting my pc go at a loss because I decided to change my mind too quickly. I will be keeping one of the hard drives as all my files are on it, other than that this thing is tuned for audio and runs flawlessly has windows xp pro installed.

here is the invoice of the parts i used, and some pics... (excuse the quality of the pics)

[abit]

The best would be Mac Pro.
U can run it with OSX or with XP - your choice.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by abit

The best would be Mac Pro.
U can run it with OSX or with XP - your choice.

IMO, if you want to run OSX get a Mac. If you want to run XP, especially with music apps and DAWS, get a PC.

[tradarama]

They seem to have pulled out of the US market (my luck huh). Anyway it doesn't have all of the stuff hung on that a Dell etc will have. I've had no issues and mine is 3 years old now running Cubase 4.

If you don't like/want a Mac then go with a maker who does audio PCs...yes it will look expensive vs. the names you know but I think there is a benefit of knowing it will run well.

[manning1]

a joke....
a casino near me......for employees gives them a huge discount for a pc....
thus...lol....go work in the casino for a few weeks.....lol...get your dream machine.
its all gonna be obsolete in 18 months anyway whether mac or pc....

[FFTT]

You're putting yourself through a lot of unnecessary grief.

Return your P/C and go for either a 2.66 GHz MacPro with no less than 2 GB RAM
or a well equipped iMac.

Either unit will still allow you to run any of your Windows programs if desired and
will give you the stability and flexibility of Mac OSX.

That extra flexibility allows you to run ANY DAW, you prefer. ProTools, Logic, Cubase, DP, anything.

The hardware is optimized to perform to your benefit, but you can not skimp on RAM.

[shanabit]

Basic MacPro 2.66 with 2 gig ram and Applecare which is a MUST and NO SECOND HARDRIVE will run you $3,047!! Now you have a nice Mac that can run OSX or WINDOWS apps.

However NO ONE has mentioned that Cubase is NOT OPTIMISED for the MAC, never has been and probably wont be. It runs like CRAP on the Mac, I know from experience. Uses WAY more resources than the PC and Crashes WAY more.

Support for Cubase on the Mac is dismal at best. Look at the number of posts on http://cubase.net/phpbb2/index.php and that will tell you the vast majority run it on Windows. Steinberg could give a squat about their Mac Users.

Mac has been just as much a PITA as my PC. However, Id love to have a new MacPro However I will be building me a nice PC soon