Mates,
I'm considering organising a somewhat unusual computer sound system, and would appreciate suggestions as to buying or building.
This computer would be specifically to use Hauptwerk 3, a software for a virtual pipe organ. This is because the 4- church organ sounds on the Yamaha S90 synthesizer sound like combinations of the accordion, bagpipe, and harmonica sounds as played by a asthmatic.
Hauptwerk is quite amazing, very large samples are available in sets from 94 historic organs, controlled by a MIDI keyboard. The screen shows a mock up of the keyboards, pedals, and other controls- couplers, generals and so on:
http://www.hauptwerk.com/index.php?src=directory&view=Instruments
- I've loaded the evaluation software [370MB download] and through the 1995 Audiowerk2 soundcard in a Dell 3Ghz/1.5 GB RAM Dimension 8400 and my Logitech Z-2300 THX 2.1 powered speaker system., I can play individual notes on the virtual keys with the mouse. Even on the computer speakers (Z-2300 135W subwoofer is rated to 30HZ), I can hear the true timbres o the various stops.
The thing is, because of the number of sounds that an organ can make at once- with 10 fingers and two feet with many stops on, it's not difficult to have 200-300 "pipes" sounding- that's 200-300 discreet sounds/pitches. But, that's the tip of the iceberg if the reverb or any other effect is on as the polyphony with all the sounds repeated in a calculated decay and the computer must then produces 1000 sounds at once or more.
The computer to do this without obvious limitations requires a fast processor, 64-bit OS, lots of RAM, and the least possible other software and devices taking processor and/or RAM function. My specification:
Intel quad core 2.66 or better (socket775) with 6MB L2 or better
8GB RAM- ideally, expandable to 16GB for when the cost comes down a bit
2- 600GB HD's
2-PCI slots for soundcards
Firewire
Vista 64-bit
-My current recording computer is a 1998 Dell Pentium 750 with 256MB RAM and W98 and whicc will not install Hauptwerk.
I've looked at building such a thing ($1,200) but in fact, I can see that I can buy a Dell or HP with these features for somewhat less- ($950). The problem is that no mass maker offers a motherboard that can accomodate the future 16GB of RAM. I've had good luck with the two computers I assembled, but would also like to be as frugal as I can for what has to be a fairly high-level performer.
In the future, if this works as well I hope, I'm thinking to buy an Allen or better yet, Rodgers organ with MIDI and use that to control Hauptwerk. This is however too big a commitement in cost without knowing how I'll get along with the software. The sample sets are expensive too- $200-1,200.
I'm assured by some on the Hauptwerk forum that I needn't worry about a supercomputer, but then someone else would waltz in and say that his dual Xeon with 32GB RAM was just about right- that would be a $5,000+ computer.
I've also seen a recent Dell XPS with my specification on Craigslist for $550, but I've never had a used computer.
What would you do?
Cheers,
Bambi B
PS: My first computer was an IBM 486/ 25 with 2MB RAM and 85MB HD running DOS 6 and Windows 3.1. I had AutoCad 10 for DOS, Worpdperfect 6 for DOS, and CorelDraw 3. By the way, with all the software and files, it took 6 months to fill the 85MB HD and the 2MB RAM upgrade cost $180.
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Topic - Computer recommendations: Buy or build - Bambi B 09:58:49 09/9/09 (9)
- RE: Computer recommendations: Buy or build - sogood 07:45:06 09/10/09 (3)
- I'm on my way to Hauptwerk! I've gone ahead and bought a similar model - Bambi B 10:03:43 09/10/09 (1)
- RE: I'm on my way to Hauptwerk! I've gone ahead and bought a similar model - sogood 10:46:55 09/10/09 (0)
- WOW..that is a smokin good deal !!! - Gmood1 08:02:30 09/10/09 (0)
- For best sound, "Build" is better - cics 14:15:50 09/9/09 (1)
- Go for a mobo that offers integrated graphics that way you can avoid the extra video card. - Jon L 09:33:46 09/10/09 (0)
- RE: Computer recommendations: Buy or build - Gmood1 13:12:10 09/9/09 (0)
- RE: Computer recommendations: Buy or build - John Swenson 13:01:52 09/9/09 (0)
- Per There site, Mac OS seems to work just fine - Dynaudio_Rules 10:05:23 09/9/09 (0)