Windows Optimization Guide For Audio Production

[Mikaël-ange]

That would be awesome!!!! Do it please...

 

[kev]

That's pretty much my home set up at the moment Kev.I still think it'd be appreciated though,but i have just qualified as senior and so can't really say i know how many times it has been covered already.

Yep I do agree dude, plenty of people can benefit

 

[The Unavoidable]

Dude you can't phrase the third option like that, I almost voted for it out of spite and I need that guide!

 

[Dexter_prog]

I've always thought M Audio's site had a nice page devoted to optimizing a Windows PC for audio...It's helped me a lot.

could you post the link to that?

 

[DanLights]

lol @ third option, really funny hahahaha

A guide like that could be a nice addition, please considering not everyone can afford a computer solely dedicated to audio? maybe some ideas to optimize it while stilll using it for other type of stuff?

 

[DestroyTheColossus]

lol @ third option, really funny hahahaha

A guide like that could be a nice addition, please considering not everyone can afford a computer solely dedicated to audio? maybe some ideas to optimize it while stilll using it for other type of stuff?

Just finished making my computer a dual boot system, so I have 1 version of windows xp just for audio, and another for everything else, all on the same computer. IT IS AWESOME! The 2 versions of XP share a 500 GB harddrive split into two, while all sessions and other stuff are on a 1TB hard drive, and can be accessed by both operating systems. So this is an option for people unable to afford 2 different computers.

 

[Harry Hughes]

Bump.

 

[jrt12]

i could def use any advanced pointers on this front... i've got a pretty damn good machine, but its not dedicated. anything i can do to make it better before i can afford another dedicated machine would be a big help.

 

[oscillat0r]

The guide (or maybe its more than one) needs to talk about windows 7 as much as, if not more than XP

1) XP will not be availble on new systems or standalone anymore meaning
that you must use an existing disc (or old h4x0rd copy)...the target audience is going to get smaller and smaller over time.

2) Vendors will not continue to create XP drivers forever - testing and supporting them is ton of expense. I don't just mean audio interface vendors either - if you byo or buy off the shelf, installing XP will be a PITA and those who are less tech savvy will not be able to rely on pre-built XP systems.

3) XP 64-bit drivers suck. 64-bit really is/will be the standard IMO and Vista and Win 7 have good 64-bit driver and s/w support.

4) and finally - Win 7 is really pretty good. no its not perfect but there will be a much better return on investment from tweaking Win 7 than continuing with XP. I mean...Amigas were pretty good too, right?

********************
EDIT

5) There areready a shitload of XP guides out there such as xMannequiNx shows below

********************

embrace the future my brothers and sisters! (or get a mac)

 

[xMannequiNx]

http://www.pcmus.com/TweakXP.htm

?

 

[KillDivision]

Just finished making my computer a dual boot system, so I have 1 version of windows xp just for audio, and another for everything else, all on the same computer. IT IS AWESOME! The 2 versions of XP share a 500 GB harddrive split into two, while all sessions and other stuff are on a 1TB hard drive, and can be accessed by both operating systems. So this is an option for people unable to afford 2 different computers.

I have the same setup.

A dualboot on a 120 GB of SSD (both XP SP3 32bits), one for internet/mail and one for audio. Also have 4 Samsung F1 harddisks, wich contain drumsamples, synthsamples, audiosessions, audio and movies.
I have XP stripped down (services), it's now taking 148 mb RAM. That leaves a lot for drumsamples.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

The guide (or maybe its more than one) needs to talk about windows 7 as much as, if not more than XP

1) XP will not be availble on new systems or standalone anymore meaning
that you must use an existing disc (or old h4x0rd copy)...the target audience is going to get smaller and smaller over time.

2) Vendors will not continue to create XP drivers forever - testing and supporting them is ton of expense. I don't just mean audio interface vendors either - if you byo or buy off the shelf, installing XP will be a PITA and those who are less tech savvy will not be able to rely on pre-built XP systems.

3) XP 64-bit drivers suck. 64-bit really is/will be the standard IMO and Vista and Win 7 have good 64-bit driver and s/w support.

4) and finally - Win 7 is really pretty good. no its not perfect but there will be a much better return on investment from tweaking Win 7 than continuing with XP. I mean...Amigas were pretty good too, right?

********************
EDIT

5) There areready a shitload of XP guides out there such as xMannequiNx shows below

********************

embrace the future my brothers and sisters! (or get a mac)

Windows 7 isn't officially out yet, and even so, there aren't THAT many drivers for it. XP will likely remain the standard for at least the rest of this year and probably a good bit into the next.

 

[oscillat0r]

Windows 7 isn't officially out yet, and even so, there aren't THAT many drivers for it. XP will likely remain the standard for at least the rest of this year and probably a good bit into the next.

To your point, its not out yet...but come October, let alone the holidays I'd expect to see a lot more.

Even if XP will still have a strong presence for another year, I think the investment of energy for this would be better spent on Win 7. my 2 c

 

[jossesphere]

DevilJaw, you've got some work!

 

[TheWinterSnow]

I optimized my system. Its a fairly simple process. I am kind of the tweak head and since I built my own computer I have been crazy about taking things a parts and modifying the hardware to stay cool as possible and then turning off as much of the background junk as possible to get it running as smooth as possible.

The most things to worry about are CPU headroom and RAM usage, especially RAM.

but a tutorial for the noobs to optimize their stuff would be really cool, look forward to critiquing how easy your article is to understand and hope it helps quite a few out there.