Skip to main content

I'm not sure what software supports it, but 2 I'm looking at do; Cubase 3 SX and Sonar 5.

I'm doing a new computer build and am trying to decide whether to go with Windows XP x64. I'm nervous about drivers. The computer will be strictly for recording.

Topic Tags

Comments

anonymous Mon, 10/03/2005 - 13:47

Well, actually there is only one. The just released SONAR 5 is the the first and only native 64-bit digital audio workstation on the market. SONAR 5 ships as both a 32-bit and 64-bit application, and the 64-bit double precision floating point engine is accessible in both applications. Cubase is not a 64-bit coded application. There is a big difference.

anonymous Mon, 10/03/2005 - 14:03

What is the real world difference between a program written native 64 like Sonar 5 and a program written to be compatable with 64bit CPU's like Cubase 3 SX?

"In addition, Cubase SX3 supports a 64-bit operating system and up to 4 GB of RAM when used with Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition and 64-bit processors such as the AMD Opteron. According to Steinberg, the doubling of maximum available RAM resources yields a significant performance boost when used with the latest generation of 64-bit processors."

Is it just marketing?

anonymous Mon, 10/03/2005 - 15:49

This x64 architecture includes 2 new enhancements that translate into direct benefits for music and audio software uses: the ability to access more physical memory (RAM), and more internal CPU registers. In the case, of SONAR 5 x64, as a 64bit coded app, it can access and use up to 1024GB, of RAM, for instance. Whereas, SX3, because it is not a true native 64bit coded app, can only access 4GB. According to Cakewalk, there is a 20%-30% performance gain from 64bit computing, over 32bit. You may want to read the following Cakewalk white paper on 64bit computing and it's audio implications:

local music shop

Or this article interview, with Ron Kuper (Cakewalk CTO) from several months ago, concerning the benefits 64-bit will bring to SONAR 5:

http://www.digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=30309

I just got my SONAR 5 upgrade, but unfortunately 64-bit computing will have to wait, until I upgrade my DAW from 32-bit. But since SONAR 5 includes both 32-bit & 64-bit versions of SONAR, I will be ready to jump in once I do make the upgrade and I won't have to pay extra for it either or use a stupid dongle.