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  3. WINDOWS: Build from Scratch

  • WINDOWS: Build from Scratch

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    Hello, I am a ProTools 11 composer using a Hackinstosh - currently running Yosemite. Up to this point, I've been using East/West orchestral with pretty good results, but feel I have taken it about as far as I can. So, am ready to make the jump to Vienna strings. 

    I'm planning to build a WINDOWS machine from scratch and network in into ProTols on my existing machine. I'm wondering if anyone has done this and can recommend parts that might work best on this new machine. So far I have picked out a case -lol - but am ready to move forward pretty quickly on yhis. So any input or guidance would be most welcome.

    Thanks, Robert
  • bbeliusB
    bbeliusB

    Hi Robert,

    Would be nice to know how high your budget is, as well as which libraries you use and how big your template is.
    At the moment it sounds to me like you would be better off upgrading your hackintosh / use a single computer setup. (Btw: VSL instruments run on Windows and Mac)

    Best, Ben

    Ben@VSL | IT & Product Specialist
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    Which VSL string libraries do you want to run on your Windows machine? And what other libraries are you going to be using on it?

    Special Edition libraries are the least "system taxing" then, VI string libraries (much more samples and articualtions then Special Edition). Dimension and Syncron libraries require a lot more resources.

    Syncron libraries have "baked in" reverb. All of the other libraries are completely dry, so if you are using them you will probably want to use MIRx (if you are only using VSL Special Edition or VI libraries because it can only be used on them) or MIR Pro or Mir Pro 24 if you want to bring in other libraries and audio into your virtual concert hall.

    You'll probably want to run Vienna Ensamble Pro on your Windows slave, and I'd highly recommend getting Vienna Instruments Pro as well (unless you are going to use the Syncron libraries in which case you won't need it).

    If you tell us more specifics about about the type of string music you will be using this machine for, I'm sure other members who know a lot more about hardware then I do will be able to help you out. For instance if you are writing string quartets with Sole Strings 1 you won't need near the computing horse power you will need if you are using a Dimension Strings library that can have 24 individual instruments playing at once.

    Unless you already know that you are going to go with Syncron Strings, an easy way to familiarze yourself with MIR is to buy a single VI instrument such as Solo Violin 2 or Solo Celloe 2 with them you will also get the standard versions of Vienna Instruments and Vienna Ensamble and you will be able to demo Vienna Instruments Pro, MIR Pro, and and Vienna Suit (awesome set of FX) for free, not sure if there is a free demo of Ensamble Pro right now, I'm sure someone from VSL will chime in.

    With the current sale it's a good time to buy. Hope this helps and welcome to VSL!

    Michael
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    @bbelius said:

    Hi Robert,

    Would be nice to know how high your budget is, as well as which libraries you use and how big your template is.
    At the moment it sounds to me like you would be better off upgrading your hackintosh / use a single computer setup. (Btw: VSL instruments run on Windows and Mac)

    Best, Ben

    I'd like to keep it under $1,800 if possible. Thought I'd start with Starter Special Edition Vol.2 and go from there. I don't know about my template yet, but I wrote mostly larger orchestral works for theatre. - Also, upgrading a Hackintosh can be a somewhat daunting proposition. Frankly, I think I got luck with the build in the first place. It's been super solid since 2013 and I'm running ProTools 11, which won't run on newer than Yosemite. If I upgrade it, I'd have to go to ProTools 12 and their ridiculous subscription service.
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    @mschmitt said:

    an easy way to familiarze yourself with MIR is to buy a single VI instrument such as Solo Violin 2 or Solo Celloe 2 with them you will also get the standard versions of Vienna Instruments and Vienna Ensamble and you will be able to demo Vienna Instruments Pro, MIR Pro, and and Vienna Suit (awesome set of FX) for free, 

    Michael

    Thanks for the advice. I think that is a good idea - buying just a solo instrument to familiarize myself at first. There is A LOT to look at here and it is a bit overwhelming. But I know sound advice when I hear it 😊
  • bbeliusB
    bbeliusB

    Hi Robert,

    with 1800$ you can get a really high end system. But for the Starter Edition you don't need the most high-end system.
    I write down the parts I recommend, and alternatives besides them (prices in euro).

    CPU: Intel i5 9600k ~250€ (i7 9700k ~400€, i9 9900k ~500€) -> The i5 gives you enough power to run all instrumnets at once in a big orchestra + MIR Pro, therefore it is imo the best value
    Mainboard: Go for a board around 120€ with a Z390 chipset (Z370 should also work, but is older). And at least gigabit LAN!
    RAM: Any DDR4 RAM will do. 32GB. I would go for a board with 4 RAM slots and buy two RAM sticks to upgtade later. ~150€

    => 520€, with the money left, go and get some discounted VSL strings ;) The dimension strings are realy beautiful and flexible.

    After setting up your system, don't forget to tweak the bios and Windows to use everything your hardware.
    Disabling all energy saving options in Windows, turning off C-State, Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading + a little overclock.

    Hope I could help.

    Best, Ben

    Ben@VSL | IT & Product Specialist