Hello all and I hope you are able to offer me some advice:
My current setup is on Intel Core Duo CPU ( 4 years old) with 4GB Ram using a Focusrite Liquid 56 via Firewire and a UAD 1 card running FX, windows xp SP3. I have run into audio issues when my CPU hits 100% vie the firewire, using Cubase 5.
After working with Focusrite tech support it would seem that my computer is not upto the job of running more than 30 audio channels with a few fx (UAD) before I get audio artifacts (pops and distortion) when the cpu hits 100% for any lenght of time, and I have experimented with ASIO lataancy with no real sucsess and verified that the Chipset is supported (firewire from motherboard not tested with PCI or PCIe supported firewire as yet).
So my plan is to upgrade my computer and the choice is:
Mac Pro twin Xeon 12GB Ram + Focusrite Liquid 56 via firewire + Cubase 6.5
Self built twin xeon 32gb ram windows 7 64 bit + Focusrite Liquid 56 via firewire + Cubase 6.5
I would like to be able to use the UAD1 but will upgrade if that is not possible
I also use NI Komplete Ultimate, Halion Symphonic Orchestra and XLN Addictive Drums
I am starting to get more work doing Orchestral compositions and Foley to corporate video, its generally short time scales so what ever I get has to be rock solid and able to deal with 20 to 30 tracks of VST insturments (probably orchestration) and 20+ tracks of foley and FX, but I want a system that will be able to handle that and much more.
Now I know windows inside out as in a previous life I was a network trouble shooter and I can make a windows system that is stable and runs like a dream and I have no experience with Mac at all but I am willing to invest if I am going to get rock solid performance.
Also how noisy is the Mac Pro if anyone knows under a good load?
So do any of the good people on the forum run anything like my proposed setup and are you able to let me know that I will be able to do what I need to do before I spend £3500 on a new system.
Thanks very much in advance.