Seperate computer for effects?

[lscman]

I am newly returning to the DAW world, and I remember reading something a long time ago about using a second computer to run all your effects plug-ins. I stumbled across it somewhere, and can't find it now. It was supposed to free up your recording machine by putting the fx load on another computer. Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!

[crankz1]

FX Teleport (http://www.fx-max.com/fxt/index.html) :cool:

[Brian Jones]

It seems like a very extravagant (and Costly) way to run plug ins. Plug ins will work fine with a good amount of memory a really, really good processor and of course talent and knowing when and when not to use your plug ins.

[crankz1]

Yeah, the best method for reducing computer overhead with effects would be with the use of a dedicated DSP card such as a Powercore (http://www.tcelectronic.com/PowerCoreConcept) or UAD-1 (http://www.uaudio.com/products/digital/ultrapak/index.html).
However, if you have a spare computer lying around and a fast LAN, FX Teleport can be useful for sharing the load. Specially if you use many intensive virtual instruments in your compositions.

[TimOBrien]

Just to chime in, also the Powercore and UAD-1 are locked systems; you have to run their special plugins. With something like FXTeleport you can run any of your downloaded VSTs.

Of course if you really want to spend some dough you can get a hardware box like PlugZilla ( http://www.manifoldlabs.com/ ~$3,000) that will run your VSTs live even on stage without a computer.

[lscman]

Thank you all very much! This was exactly what I needed to know. I do have a UAD-1 card, 512 megs of ram, which I know I should, at least, double... I am running 98SE with Nuendo and Cubase VST. My system:

P4 2.8 gig
512 DDR SDRAM
P4B533-E MoBo
nVidia GeForce4... Cost 200? it has tv tuner, tv in/out, two monitor outs... forgot the exact model number.
UAD-1
Striped RAID w/80 gig total for writing to,
40 gig program drive (removable)
I know, I know... where's the sound card? I had to pay bills and sold both Aardvarks I had... patiently waiting to get some cash together for a new I/O:( (sympathy graciously accepted...)

I also have a machine sitting on the floor looking lonely... an Athlon 1800XP (1.53gig) on an Asus A7S333, 512Meg RAM, cheaper GeForce4 video card, with a LAN. This is the one I thought would be usable for FX.

Anyway... I thank you all very much, and if you think of anything else, feel free!

[NeilNense]

hmm looks interesting.

i actually use 2 machines for recording.
one runs the standalone NI app
"Guitar Rig"
and one is solely dedicated to recording.

i just route from one soundcard to the other.

i guess with FX teleport it actually calls upon the other machine to do the processing for VST when your running it in your recording software ? as oppose to what im doing and using it as a live stream ? is this correct ?

My PC just couldnt cut running guitar rig and Cool Edit Pro at the same time wih anything than more than a few tracks.
i guess my recording PC is a little Old :
Dual 800 Mhz p3
512 Rambus
4 X 10K Ultra3 scsi