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I am pretty well versed in hardware of computers, software not sooo much. What is better for recording 32 bit or 64 bit, I just built a comp and I need to get windows. Just wondering what would be best.

Comments

Boswell Fri, 05/10/2013 - 07:43

It depends on the drivers for your audio interface. If there are 64-bit drivers for Windows7 released, go for Win7/64 Pro as the OS on your PC. If the interface manufacturer has not released 64-bit drivers, then either you wait until they are released (could be a long time) or you install Win7/32 Pro. Avoid the Home versions of these OS.

At present, Windows7 is reckoned to be a more stable choice for PC audio workstations than Windows8, although this may gradually change as time passes.

godchuanz Wed, 05/15/2013 - 20:34

For strictly recording, no difference in quality.

But when you're mixing, you've got to consider these:
- there's a ~3GB RAM limit on 32-bit systems, so if you have that many tracks/VSTs, you can't use 32-bit.
- some VSTs still only come in 32-bit flavours, so if you use a 64-bit system, you got to find a replacement VST or perform some bit-bridging.

Todzilla Mon, 06/10/2013 - 12:39

godchuanz, post: 404710 wrote: For strictly recording, no difference in quality.

But when you're mixing, you've got to consider these:
- there's a ~3GB RAM limit on 32-bit systems, so if you have that many tracks/VSTs, you can't use 32-bit.
- some VSTs still only come in 32-bit flavours, so if you use a 64-bit system, you got to find a replacement VST or perform some bit-bridging.

Strictly speaking, this is correct. However, the 3G RAM limit will force you to cut back on virtual signal processing, virtual instruments and potentially track count (not that learning parsimonious recording habits is a bad thing...). With 64 bit systems you can use oodles of RAM (I have 16GB on my MBP) and the ceiling for the aforementioned limitations is much, much higher.

If the OP is considering RAM intensive plug-ins and high sample rates, then 64 bit is pretty much mandatory.