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Hi,

I am planning to set up a PC which will only perform audio mixing. No recording at all except only one input of vocal sometimes. But the wav file formatted tracks in the process of mixing would be average and above 20 and at least 1 or 2 plugins effects would be applied to each track.

Is Dual Core is a must for such a mixing system? I will surely go for at least 1GB of RAM.

But my idea is still in fog about processor. I would accept the higher in spec, the bettter quality. But I want my budget suits with my needs.

Any recommendation from experience?

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RemyRAD Sun, 05/14/2006 - 20:03

Well lots of us here have been routinely mixing in excess of 24 tracks with quite a few plug-ins on single Pentium 4 systems so I do believe you will speed things up and/or included a lot more plug-ins for real-time playback, with a dual core system but not an absolute necessity. Certainly not for your indicated usage? It's always fun however to have more of everything. More money. More sex. More rock and roll!

Size does matter.
Ms. Remy Ann David

Did I say more sex?

zemlin Fri, 05/19/2006 - 11:05

It also depends on which DAW software you're running - and different plugins suck different amounts of CPU - so it's not as simple as 20 x tracks x 2 plugs = xxx CPU.

I'm currently running a P4 Northwood 2.4 (400 MHz FSB). My software is Samplitude. On larger projects (which, for me, would be 15+ tracks) I may have to freeze some tracks or objects to keep the playback running smoothly.

anonymous Fri, 05/19/2006 - 19:36

Thanks for ur advices. I will be using adobe audition 2 and Fruity loops. But no rewire among the two softwares. Will save tracks from FL as wav files and mixdown at adobe audition.

Anyway I plan this system to be my temp system. Next year after Windows Vista has stablized, I will set up another system with dual core for audio only. And this current dream system would be for general use and occasional gaming by then. However all those planning depends on my future budget situation.

Follwing is my current dream system spec that I am planning to build on September (hope this 939 socket prices will drop by then as AMD is launching new AM2 socket)

Mobo : Asus A8N-E nf4 Ultra S-Raid /PCI-E/GLan/8ch (nVidia nForce 4 Ultra chipset which supports up to 2000Mhz FSB)
CPU : AMD Athlon 64 3200 (Its single core 2.0GHz, 512 MB L2 Cache and 2000Mhz FSB)
Memory : PC 3200/400 Kingston CL3 1GB (depends on later practical situation whether to add another 1GB)
HDD : Seagate 80GB 8MB SATAII (Would buy another 160GB for tracks and data later)
GFX : Asus EN6600GT 128MB DDR3 Tv-Out/DVI (or) PowerColor X1600Pro 128MB DDR3 TD [haven't decided which one to choose. both are at same price. Some said nVidia chipset will support best with nVidia gfx chipset?]

PS: I got Tascam US-122 (audio interface) and Event TR8XL (studio monitor speaker).

Well, thats the gear I am dreaming for now. Any comment from experience?