Do I need to upgrade my RAM?

[Reb]

My specs:
Windows XP -1.7Ghx Processor
40GB partitioned 22GB -OS and all programs (Sonar 2.0) the other 18GB
(Project File - Audio Data)
80GB partitioned 40GB - saved files
256RAM
Creative Audigy Soundcard

I have this 750MB bundle file, which I can't seem to work on. I started of
with Midi, convert to Audio, process and mix. Everything was going fine,
until I did this 'remove silence' on my 11 audio tracks. That process took
almost 30mins. Then I saved it and tried to call it out. But, it didn't
work - 'Virtual Memory Minimum Too Low'. I changed the Virtual memory
setting and it opened after 5 mins. But, I can't seem to play, edit, delete,
etc. I also did all the other recommendations for tweaking. I am even saved
it as a cwp file, but the same things happens.

It seems like the computer starts doing the job, but just stops. When I
check the status is says 'Sonar not responding'.

I am only a beginner, I only have done 3 songs. The first was 400MB, it
works perfectly well, second was 600MB also works perfectly well. And the
3rd was this project. Is there any way I can still use this file?

Is it anything to do with my 256 RAM? Do I need to upgrade?

Can you PLEASE help?

Rebecca

[Easto]

You have a 750mb file?

I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with the term "bundled" file. With XP I would suggest at least 512mb of ram. Is this thing just slow or are you getting errors?

[maggotcontrol]

Rebecca,

Under WinXP, just let Windows decide what virtual memory setting is best. Yes, you need to upgrade ram. 512MB is a pretty good number for WinXP systems. More is better but half a gig is enough for most projects.

Also your file sizes appear pretty big for a Sonar project...are they the project folder sizes or are they the Cakewalk bundle file size? Is Sonar set to record/playback at 16bit/48KHz? (that's the Audigy's actual native sampling rate and bit depth..same as the Soundblaster Live series)

Yoshi
www.studiokobari.com (http://www.studiokobari.com)

[Reb]

Easto,

Sonar 2.0 XL uses bundle file (combination of audio and midi tracks).

I guess, everyone who is replying, suggest a higher RAM.

It is just slow. No errors. I just see the hour glass working....I guess I don't have enough patience!

[Reb]

Yoshi,

The WinXP was doing the virtual memory setting, until someone else suggested increasing it by 2 -3 times. So I did it. I'm glad at least almost everyone agrees on upgrading the RAM. Strange, but most of my computer tech friends (no nuts about music and computers) say that 256 is more than sufficient.

I start of with Midi files, then change them to project file and finally when it is all complete I save it as bundle file. Yes, record/playback is set as 16bit/48Khz.

Rebecca

[Easto]

Learn somthin' new every day.

[XenosoniK]

256 is sufficient for internet or word processing but for audio you have to go at least 512MB.

-Xeno

[radiant_city]

Originally posted by Reb:
The WinXP was doing the virtual memory setting, until someone else suggested increasing it by 2 -3 times. So I did it. I'm glad at least almost everyone agrees on upgrading the RAM. Strange, but most of my computer tech friends (no nuts about music and computers) say that 256 is more than sufficient.

Reb, don't forget that XP is directly descended from Windows NT, which means (1) it operates from a different heartbeat than Win 95, 98, and ME did; and (2) it deals with internal memory and page files (a/k/a virtual memory) a lot more efficiently than Win 9x-- but that said, it's a different beast. The suggestion of setting virtual memory to 2-3 times your physical RAM is, I think, meant to keep the page file from resizing, and it came about because Win 95 was so horrible at memory management. Win 98 corrected a lot of those problems, meanwhile NT had no such worries.

Try it both ways-- have XP manage your page file for you, or manage it yourself, and see which is more time-efficient. If you decide to manage memory yourself, set the size of your pagefile to the amount XP recommends-- but then make that both the minimum size and the maximum size. This should prevent the page file from resizing, which is a good thing when you're in the middle of a disk-intensive operation like recording audio. But it could also slow things down some in other areas of your computer use. Experiment.

BTW RAM is so dirt cheap these days that you'd be well-served by slamming as much into your system as your motherboard will allow. Just a thought. -- Rick