Remote audio workstation

Cubase
1

A couple of year ago I converted an old outbuilding (coal house and outside toilet) into a studio. It’s halfway down the garden an ironically some distance from the nearest toilet. As I now have problems with bowel and bladder.Not all the time, but some days the distance is just too far!
So I built another PC and basically cloned the drives on the studio computer.
The indoor PC isn’t as powerful but is ok for most purposes.
Though in general I prefer to use the purpose built studio.
All the software is the same (well.. when I keep it all up to date) My main Cubase project drive is portable though so I can quickly transfer pieces between the two.
The only problem really is that the Powerful Studio PC is Windows 11 and the indoor PC is Windows 10

With the end of support for Windows 10 looming there seem to be only two options.
Ignore any security issues and continue using Windows 10… or Upgrade the computer
(it has TPM but it’s the wrong sort of processor)

Ok there are a couple of other options. Upgrade to 11 using Rufus or similar. Or Pay microsoft for the security for 12 months but thats just delaying things and the Rufus ‘fix’ could potentially screw-up the PC.
I could probably just about afford a new motherboard bundle. But what’s putting me off, and I’m sure those who’ve had to do this are with me, It’s reinstalling the blasted software that I just can’t bear to do AGAIN!!
Took about a month last time to get it matching on both PC’s
Added to which I have Narcolepsy which breaks the concentration somewhat. It’s hard enough recording without adding to the issues.

So it got me wondering if there’s an easy (and cheap if possible) way of controlling/accessing the studio computer for recording purposes from the house?
I could manage with just one Mic/line input and some form of Midi (five pin or USB) indoors.
I already have a LAN cable and Telephone cable running through a pipe (plus the 60A armoured mains cable)to the studio. So pulling another couple of cables through is possible.
Anyone tried something similar and know the best way to go about it?

I already have Focusrite Scarlett 1820 USB interfaces on both PC’s (gen2 inside Gen 3 in the studio)but its a fair distance for USB (about 25 metres)
I’m sure this must be technically possible!!

2

There are a bunch of ways to take advantage of both computers, but it will depend on exactly what functionality you want to have on the indoor computer vs. the outside/studio computer.

Based on 25m distance, and the fact you already have a LAN cable connecting them, I’d suggest you start with integrating something like AudioGridder or Vienna Ensemble Pro between the machines, and that might give you some neat possibilities. They don’t solve everything of course, but they both give you useful options that might get you enough flexibility in your situation and make your life easier. The beauty of both AG and VEP is that they can run remotely on another machine, or locally on the same machine. So you could configure your systems in such a way that will be optimal for your use case scenarios, but also still be able to work in either studio space as the “master” machine and access the resources of the other computer as needed (depending on how you set up both machines).

Another somewhat related option is to look at something like Blue Cat’s Connector, Blue Cat’s Fader Hub or something similar. Those are very simple by comparison, but they are potentially useful tools that might solve certain remote use cases. And there are other similar tools on the market.

You could also consider the Windows Remote Desktop approach or something similar for full desktop access. I’m not a fan of this approach TBH, since I am skeptical of its impact on raw DAW performance, but it’s something to consider, and I’d suggest you look into it.

Or, if you need to have total direct control specifically via USB and HDMI without Remote Desktop, for example, consider looking into active/powered USB and HDMI repeaters/extensions with signal boosters, etc.. I don’t know if you will successfully achieve 25m with a multichannel audio interface, but I’ve seen USB 2.0 boosted cables that could go that far, and HDMI boosters that might theoretically handle that distance at lower resolutions/framerates/bandwidth. You could also look into HDMI over IP.

In any case, you’ve got options.

Actually, another option, as much as I hate to say it, is to consider getting a recent Apple Silicon machine (i.e. M4-based Mac Mini or Macbook Pro, etc.). They are so small and light (and quiet) that you can easily physically move them from one studio docking bay to another, without much hassle, if you set things up correctly. I’ve personally dumped all my Macs recently, but when I had a bunch of Apple Silicon Macs, their portability would have been a game changer if I needed to do what you are talking about. Might be a good option for you too.

Anyway, you’ve got plenty of options, I’m sure I’m missing some stuff, and in fact you could do all the above TBH… all depends on what you really want or need to do for any given session/project, and how far you are willing to go. Good luck! Let us know what you end up doing!

3

There is actually a third option: Don’t use the internet on your studio computer - if that is at all possible. This way you can just continue to use Win10 and don’t worry about the world.
Let’s face it - Win10 will be a fine OS for several years to come. It is not like milk that turns sour overnight. The only thing to worry about is foreign intrusion to the system. If you disconnect, then that issue is solved.
Maybe that is a possibility for you, since you have a second system.