This will be a basic computer management-ish walkthrough..
Or whatever you want to call it..
This is my setup and how I've done it, I'm just giving guidelines on how you could do something similar..
Hopefully people will chime in with ideas, tips, hints, ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A..
Why am I writing this? Because I said I would in a couple of threads, but now I have no idea why I said that, because I have no idea what to write.. but here we go..
Building your PC is pretty simple, better and way cheaper than buying a finished brandname computer (some companies build your setup from chosen components for a price)..
This doesn't apply (not always - it's not perfect!) to Mac.
If you're thinking about building a music-pc, start saving up for what you can afford, check customer reviews and if the parts you're looking at will work together..
I thought about saving up for the new Intel architecture "Haswell", that was almost a year away at the time I bought my PC, now it's three to six months away..
There are tons of vids on youtube on how to build a computer, e.g. Newegg has a tutorial for building a PC and installing Windows 7.
It's actually not that hard, it's a more advanced version of LEGO..
MY only tip is to NOT spread the thermalpaste on the processor..
Just put on half a pea-size blob of thermalpaste on the processor and let the pressure from putting on the heatsink do the spreading..
If you wanna get fancy you can make a little X instead of the blob..
I've done both and in my experience they're both way better than spreading it out with a creditcard/plasticbag/other crap..
I have a dedicated Music-PC, that is not connected to internet..
It doesn't have anti-virus or a firewall..
That means more free resources by itself, but also even more free resources when you disable services that concern internet-access and security etc..
So that's what I recommend doing, even if it means using a shitty computer for internet/other stuff..
It's up to you what to do with the services..
I recommend checking out:
http://www.blackviper.com/service-c...dows-7-service-pack-1-service-configurations/
When I was on XP I shut down everything I could, minimum for startup..
I didn't use fancy windows themes or even a desktop image..
Noooow I've got a bit fancy and also a desktop image..
I've got a faster PC (than before) and more RAM, so it can handle it..
But try and free up as much resources as you can by disabling unnecessary stuff..
There's also stuff to be unchecked or edited in msconfig, just write msconfig in the search bar on the w7 startmenu..
Remember to make backups in case shit hits the fan..
My backups consist of:
1. Clean install
2. Clean install + All Microsoft Updates
3. Basic Software Installed
4. Everything Installed
As you can see below, I've got a Western Digital HDD, if you got one you can get Acronis True Image Western Digital Editition for free:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119
That's what I use for backups, I've installed everything and used a backup image and all serial numbers etc. for software were still working..
Windows 7 (and I'm sure 8 as well) has it's own backup software, that I'm sure works just as good, I just went with the Acronis WD edition..
The specs:
Intel Core i5 3570K (Ivy Bridge)
16GB RAM
Storage:
Crucial SSD 128GB (main drive)
Western Digital Caviar Black (Projects)
A-Data SSD 128GB (Samples)
Western Digital RE4 (Misc)
Screens:
I've got two screens that I got used off of the Swedish version of EBay
Two screens is way easier to work with, than just using one, IMO.
Audio:
M-Audio 1010LT (suits me at the moment)
Windows 7 Professional (64bit, can handle more RAM than 32bit)
Now windows 8 is out..
I'm sticking with 7, because it works and I can't complain at all..
As for the case, I got a soundisolated case BUT, I took extra steps and put in acoustic-foam that is used for dampening sound in speakers, it's cheap as fuck and I got it from a store that sells stuff for cars, boats, and random crap..
In Sweden it's called "Biltema"..
So..
Management..
As you see I've got a SSD for the main drive, I haven't installed anything unnecessary on it, so it will "last longer", although SSD's have a long lifespan when used properly..
An SSD speeds up loading of software/OS, but it doesn't do anything for software after it's loaded, so it doesn't make programs faster per se..
I got a regular HDD for my project files, I chose a Caviar Black because of the good reviews and the 5 year warranty, it's a bit more expensive but more reliable..
I got another SSD for Samples, temp recordings and backup-files.. loading samples from a SSD is much faster than from a regular HDD. I don't keep all my samples on this, they wouldn't fit.
I've a regular HDD for misc stuff that could be on a music-pc, this is where I keep IR's, samples, manuals, articles, bla bla bla..
It's also a bit more expensive, but that's because it also has a higher warranty, and is HDD aimed at servers, that are running 24/7..
I've got older drives that are cheap and they still work after several years, it's all about being a bit more sure about reliability..
There's also a RAM-drive, but that's not extra hardware, it's utilizing part of the RAM as a storage, this is faster than an SSD, but also a bit more unsafe..
I use the free version of RamDisk, it can only use 4GB RAM (paid can use more) but has backup functions:
http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
So when I shut down/restart my computer it saves an image of the RAM-drive to a file that loads when I start my PC again..
RAM doesn't store anything, so if the power goes out, what is in RAM is gone forever..
This is the reason it's not as reliable..
If you're working on a big project, you could easily render to the RAM-drive, without a "slow drive" issue.. even if the power goes out you can always re-render..
It helps if you have issues reading and writing from the same drive, at the
same time..
BUT..
If you work on a project/record to it, on the RAM-drive, and the power goes out/PC shuts down, you're fucked..
I chose to backup my RAM-drive to the SSD just because it'll write the backup-image a lot faster than it than it would to a regular HDD..
Other than that, well..
I say customize your Icons and make it comfortable to work with..
It also helps you're workflow if you can localize icons more easily..
Sort all your samples and stuff that you use, so it's easy to find..
Organize your startmenu however you want it so you don't waste time looking for programs..
Customize inputs and outputs in your software, use customizations so your workflow is better.. e.g. making hotkeys for your actions; cut, glue, delete, etc..
I have the universe most crappy digital camera, so I can't take pics of settings on gear being used, if you can.. take pics..
I made some templates for some of my gear..
Use themes, desktop images and whatever you makes you happy..
I'll throw in an album with desktop images..
http://imgur.com/a/rCV8E
Well..
For not having a clue on what to write, I did get some shit down..
Happy-fucking-holidays!
NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN
HO - HO - HO
/For Her Dead Eyes
Or whatever you want to call it..
This is my setup and how I've done it, I'm just giving guidelines on how you could do something similar..
Hopefully people will chime in with ideas, tips, hints, ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A..
Why am I writing this? Because I said I would in a couple of threads, but now I have no idea why I said that, because I have no idea what to write.. but here we go..
Building your PC is pretty simple, better and way cheaper than buying a finished brandname computer (some companies build your setup from chosen components for a price)..
This doesn't apply (not always - it's not perfect!) to Mac.
If you're thinking about building a music-pc, start saving up for what you can afford, check customer reviews and if the parts you're looking at will work together..
I thought about saving up for the new Intel architecture "Haswell", that was almost a year away at the time I bought my PC, now it's three to six months away..
There are tons of vids on youtube on how to build a computer, e.g. Newegg has a tutorial for building a PC and installing Windows 7.
It's actually not that hard, it's a more advanced version of LEGO..
MY only tip is to NOT spread the thermalpaste on the processor..
Just put on half a pea-size blob of thermalpaste on the processor and let the pressure from putting on the heatsink do the spreading..
If you wanna get fancy you can make a little X instead of the blob..
I've done both and in my experience they're both way better than spreading it out with a creditcard/plasticbag/other crap..
I have a dedicated Music-PC, that is not connected to internet..
It doesn't have anti-virus or a firewall..
That means more free resources by itself, but also even more free resources when you disable services that concern internet-access and security etc..
So that's what I recommend doing, even if it means using a shitty computer for internet/other stuff..
It's up to you what to do with the services..
I recommend checking out:
http://www.blackviper.com/service-c...dows-7-service-pack-1-service-configurations/
When I was on XP I shut down everything I could, minimum for startup..
I didn't use fancy windows themes or even a desktop image..
Noooow I've got a bit fancy and also a desktop image..
I've got a faster PC (than before) and more RAM, so it can handle it..
But try and free up as much resources as you can by disabling unnecessary stuff..
There's also stuff to be unchecked or edited in msconfig, just write msconfig in the search bar on the w7 startmenu..
Remember to make backups in case shit hits the fan..
My backups consist of:
1. Clean install
2. Clean install + All Microsoft Updates
3. Basic Software Installed
4. Everything Installed
As you can see below, I've got a Western Digital HDD, if you got one you can get Acronis True Image Western Digital Editition for free:
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119
That's what I use for backups, I've installed everything and used a backup image and all serial numbers etc. for software were still working..
Windows 7 (and I'm sure 8 as well) has it's own backup software, that I'm sure works just as good, I just went with the Acronis WD edition..
The specs:
Intel Core i5 3570K (Ivy Bridge)
16GB RAM
Storage:
Crucial SSD 128GB (main drive)
Western Digital Caviar Black (Projects)
A-Data SSD 128GB (Samples)
Western Digital RE4 (Misc)
Screens:
I've got two screens that I got used off of the Swedish version of EBay
Two screens is way easier to work with, than just using one, IMO.
Audio:
M-Audio 1010LT (suits me at the moment)
Windows 7 Professional (64bit, can handle more RAM than 32bit)
Now windows 8 is out..
I'm sticking with 7, because it works and I can't complain at all..
As for the case, I got a soundisolated case BUT, I took extra steps and put in acoustic-foam that is used for dampening sound in speakers, it's cheap as fuck and I got it from a store that sells stuff for cars, boats, and random crap..
In Sweden it's called "Biltema"..
So..
Management..
As you see I've got a SSD for the main drive, I haven't installed anything unnecessary on it, so it will "last longer", although SSD's have a long lifespan when used properly..
An SSD speeds up loading of software/OS, but it doesn't do anything for software after it's loaded, so it doesn't make programs faster per se..
I got a regular HDD for my project files, I chose a Caviar Black because of the good reviews and the 5 year warranty, it's a bit more expensive but more reliable..
I got another SSD for Samples, temp recordings and backup-files.. loading samples from a SSD is much faster than from a regular HDD. I don't keep all my samples on this, they wouldn't fit.
I've a regular HDD for misc stuff that could be on a music-pc, this is where I keep IR's, samples, manuals, articles, bla bla bla..
It's also a bit more expensive, but that's because it also has a higher warranty, and is HDD aimed at servers, that are running 24/7..
I've got older drives that are cheap and they still work after several years, it's all about being a bit more sure about reliability..
There's also a RAM-drive, but that's not extra hardware, it's utilizing part of the RAM as a storage, this is faster than an SSD, but also a bit more unsafe..
I use the free version of RamDisk, it can only use 4GB RAM (paid can use more) but has backup functions:
http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
So when I shut down/restart my computer it saves an image of the RAM-drive to a file that loads when I start my PC again..
RAM doesn't store anything, so if the power goes out, what is in RAM is gone forever..
This is the reason it's not as reliable..
If you're working on a big project, you could easily render to the RAM-drive, without a "slow drive" issue.. even if the power goes out you can always re-render..
It helps if you have issues reading and writing from the same drive, at the
same time..
BUT..
If you work on a project/record to it, on the RAM-drive, and the power goes out/PC shuts down, you're fucked..
I chose to backup my RAM-drive to the SSD just because it'll write the backup-image a lot faster than it than it would to a regular HDD..
Other than that, well..
I say customize your Icons and make it comfortable to work with..
It also helps you're workflow if you can localize icons more easily..
Sort all your samples and stuff that you use, so it's easy to find..
Organize your startmenu however you want it so you don't waste time looking for programs..
Customize inputs and outputs in your software, use customizations so your workflow is better.. e.g. making hotkeys for your actions; cut, glue, delete, etc..
I have the universe most crappy digital camera, so I can't take pics of settings on gear being used, if you can.. take pics..
I made some templates for some of my gear..
Use themes, desktop images and whatever you makes you happy..
I'll throw in an album with desktop images..
http://imgur.com/a/rCV8E
Well..
For not having a clue on what to write, I did get some shit down..
Happy-fucking-holidays!
NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN
HO - HO - HO
/For Her Dead Eyes
