Bullet Proof DAW for Sonar

[Mab]

Hi... I know there is a lot of tech talent here and I am glad this site is here for sharing info. I need the neighborhood to come together to revise a solid price/performance DAW specifically

MB,
Chipset,
CPU,
Memory,
Video Card,
Soundcard...

For DIY design build DAW project utilizing Sonar. I don't want to start any Intel AMD wars but if your system is "bullet proof with its config of hardware and software" please share. My win 2k error log is killing me. Thanks in advance!!!

[Bops2000]

I think sonar is a little volitile

[bubba freaktree]

it's all about the interaction of your computer's chipset with the soundcard. that is 90% of the stability battle.

a lot of sonar guys around here use aardvark q10s and seem rather happy.

[dawboxpro]

This is a pretty generalized question.

1.Budget?
2.Input and Output Needs?

This helps put things into prospective.

Sonar is a very solid program with the right setup. Sorry you feel this way Bubba. I have seen it hate the wrong setups and usually the wrong soundcards.

Factor in some user error and any system can be a nightmare. It's like a sports car, you have lots of power under the hood but if you can't shift the gears smooth it is going to poop out on you.

In plain english keep it simple and solid and stripped down and your half way there.

[Mab]

Thanks for the replies so far. Good question about budget, but its one of those deals where... if it works then its worth it. I am currently looking into the ASUS P4P800 Deluxe (deluxe has firewire i/o, Intel 865PE Chipset)Matrox G-450 32 meg dual head AGP for video, P4 2.8 GHZ (800 FSB. I am leaning toward Corsair Memory. As far as the soundcard is concerned I currently use both the Delta Omni Studio and the 2496 for midi i/o. I don't need the mic pres but I do need midi... Was considering the Lynx One, and MOTU 828 MkII firewire setup, but I'm not sure firewire recording is working very well? I just don't know. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it, after all I , like you, just want to make and record music and not want to throw myself in front of a train after working with error logs and crashes. http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

[D'Andre]

I pretty much have the same setup:
Asus P4P800
3.0Ghz P4
1Gig DDRAM
Matrox G450
2 delta 410s
1 delta 1010
midiman 8x8

I also run Sonar 3.0 and it's rock solid, no problems what so-ever.
I'v had projects with 48+ audio tracks, plus various plug-ins and it has ran great, without a glitch. It has never crashed not once.

[This message has been edited by D'Andre (edited 12-29-2003).]

[TeleCarlos]

Good, simple setup, like the guy above.

If you go AMD, I'd recommend Asus Nforce2 chipset (A7n8x I believe, the deluxe for firewire support). Mine works flawlessly with the Maudio Delta66 / Omni.

Good luck!

[dawboxpro]

Nforce 2 is a great chipset for M-audio and so is the KT400 and KT600.

The Asus board you mentioned with the 875 chipset is a screamer and tweakable. Be aware that there it needs specific brands of ram of it will freak on you so double check the website for the list of approved ram.

If you want to save $20 go with the D865PERLL you will not notice a performance difference in the 875 chipset VS. the 865.


Firewire? Are you kidding it works killer on tons of cards like the FW1884 and the Motu-828 MKII ect.
www.dawbox.com (http://www.dawbox.com)

PS. Do not go with the G450, get the Radeon 7000 or 7500 dual head more ram, more features, better driver support and they support the newest games if you so choose to run a game or two on your DAW.



[This message has been edited by dawboxpro (edited 12-30-2003).]

[Mab]

Thanks for the great advice everyone. Although I have checked out the Asus stuff the new Intel 875P board interests me. I just posted another topic looking at the extreme edition marketing and if it is worth it or not. I do like the 875P chipset over the 865PE and will most likely buy a board with that. I do not plan on overclocking so I will use PC3200 Twin 512 Corsair mem Low Latency stuff.

[Mab]

As a follow up, I actually went with the Asus P4P800 Deluxe 865 PE chipset due to the fact that Asus has their own version of PAT that is selcetable in the BIOS, so why was I going to pay an extra 70-80 for PAT and the 875 chipset... I went with also the following

Asus P4P800 Deluxe
1 gig PC3200 Corsair Twin XMS Low Latency RAM
Matrox G550
P4 2.8 800 FSB
(2) Hitachi 80 Gig SATA drives
Zalman P4 cnps7000a-cu (copper)
*** I am going to stay with W2K SP4

Good advice from everyone thanks again. Especially D'Andre good to know your set up has been crash free. Peace

[habibbijan]

I applaud you. The 865PE achieves similar performance compared to the 875P, and you would probably never notice the difference.

That sounds like a rockin' setup! I admit, I'm a bit jealous! Time to start checking my pockets for loose change....

[dawboxpro]

Why windows 2K? XP runs better than it and it is more stable.

If you are bummed on the authorization thing I understand but XP will utilize the functions of that hardware better than 2K and it will have a broader driver compatibility.

For $90 it is worth it. I ran 2K on my DAW for so long and was so sick of how it treats plug -N- play firewire devices for video.

Switched to XP in Spring 2002 and have never had to look back.

For all my fodder at least consider it.
www.dawbox.com (http://www.dawbox.com)