Topic: Time for a new DAW - which interfaces? (Read 13331 times)

bblackwood · « **on:** August 15, 2011, 07:34:12 AM »

It's time for a new DAW and this means new everything - the drivers for my old RME Digi96 sound cards aren't 64 bit capable (and really aren't usable beyond XP as the drivers only allow ASIO after that). I've read though the old 'interface' thread but wanted to ask what folks are using who are running Sequoia under Win7 - I need two soundcard (either two of the same where they are capable of running @ independent sampling frequencies) or recommendations on one as a 'pitcher' and one as a 'catcher'.

Any / all feedback appreciated - even if you aren't using a ptch / catch system.

Thanks.

SafeandSoundMastering · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2011, 10:22:13 AM »

I suspect if you are using external DAAD that another RME solution would be the best bet ecomically and driver wise.

Gold · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2011, 11:39:03 AM »

I've been using a Lynx2 with LS-AES and an RME AES32 in the XP machine without even a hint of problems. I recently got a Windows 7 64 bit machine. I got a Lynx AES16 and an RME AES 32. I don't have that machine running yet. Just got my Sequoia 11 upgrade to install. I'm hoping for the best. Both cards have been rock solid in the XP machine. I'm keeping the XP machine as is.

PBM · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:06:22 PM »

Quote from: Gold on August 15, 2011, 11:39:03 AM

I've been using a Lynx2 with LS-AES and an RME AES32 in the XP machine without even a hint of problems. I recently got a Windows 7 64 bit machine. I got a Lynx AES16 and an RME AES 32. I don't have that machine running yet. Just got my Sequoia 11 upgrade to install. I'm hoping for the best. Both cards have been rock solid in the XP machine. I'm keeping the XP machine as is.

+1 for the RME AES32 with Sequoia partnership - rock solid here (in XP) since forever too.

Cheers,

Eric

bblackwood · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:13:31 PM »

Quote from: Gold on August 15, 2011, 11:39:03 AM

I've been using a Lynx2 with LS-AES and an RME AES32 in the XP machine without even a hint of problems. I recently got a Windows 7 64 bit machine. I got a Lynx AES16 and an RME AES 32. I don't have that machine running yet. Just got my Sequoia 11 upgrade to install. I'm hoping for the best. Both cards have been rock solid in the XP machine. I'm keeping the XP machine as is.

Sounds like what I'm leaning towards with the new machine - the Lynx for WL playback and the RME for it's rock-solid work with Sequoia.

jdg · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:53:30 PM »

i have a lynx aes 16e and RME HDSPe.

the lynx in the mac, and RME in the PC.

everything is working great on both, but the total mix app is still amazing, and maybe worth the price delta

Gold · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2011, 01:04:56 PM »

I know there were problems with the Lynx AES16 driver and V9 but I think since V10 it's been solid.

If you are upgrading Sequoia take a look at the service contract instead of a straight upgrade. It seemed like a better deal to me.

Viitalahde · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2011, 04:11:15 PM »

Now that the Win7 has been out for a while, what's your experience with it? Is it better/more solid than the XP?

I have a RME AES32. Has been rock solid so far. Before that I used a Lynx Two card, which was stable too. But the Lynx software is really confusing to me, and that's what ultimately made me go RME.

Ed Littman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2011, 01:13:29 AM »

Quote from: bblackwood on August 15, 2011, 12:13:31 PM

Sounds like what I'm leaning towards with the new machine - the Lynx for WL playback and the RME for it's rock-solid work with Sequoia.

3 months back i had an os failure so I thought i'd try windows 7 as a fresh install. WL kept vanishing so i reinstalled xp with great success. i'm keeping windows 7 on a spare drive. i'm thinking why fix what aint broke.
Ed

DOMC · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2011, 01:23:07 AM »

RME aes32 - windows 7 64bit, sequoia
rock solid for months
though I did turn off automatic upgrades to windows today...no reason, just got sick of waiting for upgrades to install before the machine turned off. have been contemplating the lynx 2 card for playback though, but it means loosing one of my UAD cards...at present my WL playback is via an optical out on a mac mini... I dont use it a lot though.

KAyo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2011, 01:56:25 AM »

RME .. RME .. RME .. Solid interface and drivers, just can’t beat that.
Also, as always, I format to WinXP SPII, no matter what’s new out there.

No need to port over as yet ..

Ciao’
KAyo

bblackwood · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2011, 10:44:21 AM »

Hrm , interesting point - WinXP or Win7 for Sequoia 10+?

Cass Anawaty · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2011, 11:23:57 AM »

Quote from: bblackwood on August 16, 2011, 10:44:21 AM

Hrm , interesting point - WinXP or Win7 for Sequoia 10+?

XP and V10 here. Not planning on upgrading to W7 with this machine, nor Sequoia just 'cause I don't think there's a reason to.

I've thrown in the towel on mixing in Sequoia because with XP the multi-core implementation is problematic with DSP on board (UAD2 and 2 Poco FW), and the machine must be restricted to 1 core. I only bring up the mix aspect because that's where the bottleneck is--not for mastering work.

Magix needs to get their upgrade strategy in order.

MatteskyK · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2011, 12:58:29 PM »

Quote from: bblackwood on August 16, 2011, 10:44:21 AM

Hrm , interesting point - WinXP or Win7 for Sequoia 10+?

Ever think of something like Windows Vista Ultimate? If you are worried about any possible compatibility issues with Windows 7, then that could be an option. Before buying Sequoia I did talk to Tim Dolbear and he said via email ""Yes it works perfectly in bootcamp-W7 32 or 64 bit." I have not tried it with W7 personally though and am running the program on Vista Ultimate 64 bit (hence the recommendation), but I have not put the program through its paces yet. The program is still a very new purchase for me.

These charts may be of some help too: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Compare Windows to Windows and Features of Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/products/compare?t1=tab09

Compare Windows 7 editions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

Gold · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:21:26 PM »

Quote from: bblackwood on August 16, 2011, 10:44:21 AM

Hrm , interesting point - WinXP or Win7 for Sequoia 10+?

You have to do some registry hacks to get Sequoia 10 to run on 64 bit Windows 7. I am a luddite so I opted to upgrade to V11. The instructions look thorough. I tried Sequoia 10 on a Windows 7 32 bit machine and it seemed to work fine but I didn't do extensive testing.

MatteskyK · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2011, 02:26:47 PM »

Forgot to mention that I am running Sequoia 11 on the Windows Vista Ultimate, not version 10.

Mastertone · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2011, 06:20:37 PM »

Running Samp 11 pro on win 7 32bit, lynx drivers - Rock solid. The machine is a gigabyte system.

When Samp/Seq Pro X (64 bit) is out i will consider switching up the OS to 64bit.

And regarding win 7 vs xp, win 7 is far superior in every way. Awesome OS.

KAyo · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2011, 12:47:26 AM »

Agreed!
Win7 does show, high-end requirements are better handled in Windows 7. Superior optimization overall, for multicore CPUs.

Nonetheless, my personal needs haven’t changed much, thus, sticking to what’s always worked.
Future proofing not a requirement as yet.

Couple of reads of the given below, should clear up the fog, Brad.
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-compared-windows-7-vs-vista-vs-xp-615167

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/if-you-love-windows-xp-youll-hate-windows-7/630

Ciao’
KAyo

Hermetech Mastering · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2011, 04:41:43 PM »

I'm also looking for the same thing, a new DAW, Windows 7, probably running Samplitude. So far it seems like the RME or the Lynx are the firm faves, but the Lynx is a lot cheaper. Is it worth paying an extra $300 or so for the RME? And is it worth goping for the PCIe versions over the PCI versions? And are there really no "smaller" digital AES interfaces? It seems something with two stereo outs and one stereo input would be ideal fro mastering. Do any of you do anything fancy with all the extra digital ins and outs?

Sorry, lots of questions!

DOMC · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2011, 11:24:28 PM »

Quote from: Babaluma on August 19, 2011, 04:41:43 PM

Do any of you do anything fancy with all the extra digital ins and outs?

Sorry, lots of questions!

digital in/out 1-2 to main in/out crookwood
3 -4 - transfer da/ad to crookwood
5-6 reference track to crookwood
7-8 digital out 2 to crookwood for random stuff

jdg · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2011, 09:53:39 PM »

i've been running system outs (itunes, quicktime, web, etc) on a different set of digital outs, and the DAW on another dedicated set... nice to be able to switch to and from things.

bblackwood · « **Reply #21 on:** August 22, 2011, 06:24:13 AM »

Are any of these cards able to handle multiple sampling rates simultaneously on the same card? I'm guessing not, but curious...

jdg · « **Reply #22 on:** August 22, 2011, 02:28:00 PM »

man, that'd be great, but none of mine do.

ggidluck · « **Reply #23 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:27:01 PM »

Brad,
I see that the AES16 has an SRC version. From what I can tell 4 of the digital inputs are capable of doing mastering quality sample rate conversion.

The way I see this working is if the internal clock is at a different rate those inputs would be resampled to the internal rate of the card. There is not any specifics on that in the online manual so I'm guessing.

I would inquire with a Lynx dealer about it.

ggidluck · « **Reply #24 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:41:52 PM »

Just found this...

There is an Alan Silverman review up on Lynx's site.
http://www.lynxstudio.com/news_media_detail.asp?i=19

He is using Sequoia at two different sample rates probably like you would want to do.

His cards are the LynxTwo and the AES16 and running on XP.

R/E/P Community

Author Topic: Time for a new DAW - which interfaces? (Read 13331 times)