Optimization Tips?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 11:58 am
Howdy. Just wondering if it would be a good idea to have an "Optimizing the PC" section? Especially for the newer users, it may be helpful to have one spot where they can link to several sites that offer tips and tweaks for optimizing their computer for audio, maybe with the Windows versions (98,XP, etc.) subcatagorized. Some folks may not realize that an off the shelf pre-configured computer is so far away from serious recording-ready without them taking control vs. the manufacturer. The average computer is so loaded with services and garbage running in the background, and configured for home or game use, that they are nearly unusable for serious recording. It will make you hair stand on end when you discover how much GARBAGE these companies put on there, not to mention all the junk that lurks around from downloading and surfing.....this junk eats up resources that digital audio needs.
It must be stated also, that since nearly every one of our computers are different by some degree, (the hardware, software, settings), that no one combination of tweaking the computer and the software can apply to everyone. But, there are certain tweaks that are a must to squeeze out the most horsepower and assure a more stable system.
This can be time consuming. I can spend a long weekend starting on a fresh computer. It all starts even before the operating system gets installed. I will tweak as I go, one peripheral, and one program at a time.
A fresh system, properly tweaked, is the absolute BEST way to go, although there are still ways to liven up a system without nuking it first.
For those who say "Yeah, but I don't wanna screw around with the hassles of all that...I just wanna make music on this stupid thing"...here's a question. If you are having trouble getting music out of that stupid thing (which it is, we are not), how much music are you making vs. sitting in front of the computer trying to find an easy fix for a complicated problem?
It behooves anyone who expects to use a computer as a serious recording tool to learn all they can about the how's and why's. The stress level when you know it's not fatal, and you know you have everything backed up, and you know you can get the thing running again is MUCH lower than when the computer crashes and your world is spinning out of orbit.
This is just a suggestion, and if the moderator could decide if this is a useful thing, I have some links to some good info, as I'm sure a lot of you do also. (Probably much of the same).
Time for work. (May officially join the group when I get time, (unless there are serious objections ) Thanks for letting me lurk.
HDB
It must be stated also, that since nearly every one of our computers are different by some degree, (the hardware, software, settings), that no one combination of tweaking the computer and the software can apply to everyone. But, there are certain tweaks that are a must to squeeze out the most horsepower and assure a more stable system.
This can be time consuming. I can spend a long weekend starting on a fresh computer. It all starts even before the operating system gets installed. I will tweak as I go, one peripheral, and one program at a time.
A fresh system, properly tweaked, is the absolute BEST way to go, although there are still ways to liven up a system without nuking it first.
For those who say "Yeah, but I don't wanna screw around with the hassles of all that...I just wanna make music on this stupid thing"...here's a question. If you are having trouble getting music out of that stupid thing (which it is, we are not), how much music are you making vs. sitting in front of the computer trying to find an easy fix for a complicated problem?
It behooves anyone who expects to use a computer as a serious recording tool to learn all they can about the how's and why's. The stress level when you know it's not fatal, and you know you have everything backed up, and you know you can get the thing running again is MUCH lower than when the computer crashes and your world is spinning out of orbit.
This is just a suggestion, and if the moderator could decide if this is a useful thing, I have some links to some good info, as I'm sure a lot of you do also. (Probably much of the same).
Time for work. (May officially join the group when I get time, (unless there are serious objections ) Thanks for letting me lurk.
HDB