When are mutiple computers necessary?

[Reth234]

Hello, I have read a few threads on this site and even some books on how to use multiple computers, but I haven't found one that completely describes the specific benefits over a single computer setup. At what point would you decide to switch to a multi- computer setup instead of just upgrading your current computer? Would having more than one processor in a mother board accomplish the same thing(I assume not or people would do it.) and why wouldn't it.

Anyways thats basically my question. Also people that are using multiple setups what benefits have you seen?

[paulwr]

If you have large sound libraries with tons of articulations, and you think you'd benefit from having most all of them loaded all the time as a project template, then you may be a candidate. I have a small network of four computers and they are showing their age. I still have about 1,500 or so instruments/articulations all preloaded across different tracks and keyswitches. For say a busy pro in Hollywood, even with the latest and greatest computers are running five or more. Used to be eight was the magic number, but it is reducing fast. It boils down to how much do you want loaded at all times to keep you moving along in a more creative manner than having to screw with constant loading and adjustments? Plus, I'd rather have multiple computers just easily jogging along than one super computer running at the edge of reason. Not everyone agrees with that, though.

Hope this helps.
-Paul

[Ravich]

I'm curious... would it be safe to say that with SSDs becoming the standard, that having everything preloaded isnt quite as necessary?

[paulwr]

What does that have to do with it? It's the time to make a track, name it, and then choose an articulation and attach to the track. Then the amount of time to load, which then, the SSD can help with. Plus which, you can then have a normal pre-determined flow to commit to audio tracks in the form of stems (groups of tracks than make sense to record to one stereo track to simplify mixing).

Many orchestrated cues have 70+ midi tracks. Often over a hundred when you are really working hard to have all the right articulations and layering as necessary. When the tracks and connected instruments are all preloaded and you know your template and can flip to what you want in often less than a second, or at most just a second or two........... the creative flow remains more intact. That is my experience. If you aren't up against stiff deadlines, certainly it isn't as necessary. But creatively and for time saving, I'll be relying on slave computers for a good while to come. On my small system, I have every single articulation in Platinum SO (kontakt) LOADED. Also every LASS articulation. Also a large selection of SD and SD2. Every single choir articulation except the boys and solo, but including the VOTA. And then a fair amount of soft synths. It does come in handy for me. And again, it doesn't appeal to everyone. It takes a LONG TIME to setup. BUT once setup, it is just fantastic.

-Paul

[Daryl]

I have one PC. 24GB template. I don't need any more computers than this.

D

[Pietro]

I guess the point where you need another computer is the point where upgrading your main machine gets more expensive than buying a new one.

Today, with 6 core CPU's (with hyperthreading, that's 12 threads), motherboards that can hold up to 24GB of RAM and SSD drives, that are supposedly great for streaming, you'll see more single computer setups than ever.

Though, for example, if that's not enough for you, buying a 12 core (if that exists) machine with 48GB RAM and twice as many SSD drives for samples than that single machine as above - so basicaly, doubling the power, would cost you much more than buying another new same machine and networking software.

Probably though, additional licenses for your libraries would even that difference in costs up .

- Piotr

[Daryl]

You have to figure soundcards, cables, extra licences and electricity into the equation when you talk about cost. Multiple machines are not such a cheap option when you do that.

Oh yes, my machine already does have 48GB RAM.

D

[reddiesel41264]

I always thought it would be better to have a server as a slave, In another room to avoid the noise problem. Anyone tried this?

[paulwr]

You just do your math.

And lately, soundcards aren't absolutely necessary with VE Pro working so great for so many.
For some, slaves will be necessary. For others, not so much or not at all. Again, it just depends on what you feel you must have as a template up and running most of the time. From there, you figure the best value path to successfully loading and streaming the data.

Daryl is happy with one beefy Xeon. Zimmer gets by on 36+ server style computers, 17 alone for strings. Who's right? Who cares. What do you want handy in your template at all times vs what it takes to get there. Do some research, do some math.

-Paul

[tedreedy]

Originally Posted by paulwr

Zimmer gets by on 36+ server style computers, 17 alone for strings.

can someone explain what exactly 17 computers for strings does for your music? I cannot hear what the strings in a score like TDK are possibly doing that could be so processor-intensive... unless it is extremely subtle layers of 200 virtual instruments... ?