cubase sx3 noOb

[TwistedLefty]

I'm going to start a new thread even though I'm pretty sure the things I'm going to ask are probably covered. if this starts getting too redundant please feel free to move or delete.

my goals for my home recording studio are to record tracks for collaboration with other musicians I've met on the internet.

i suppose a hardware list of what I'm using, and how i have it hooked up is a good place to start.

i have a home built PC with,
Pentium D 3Ghz duo core.
1024 M of ram
M-audio audiophile delta 2496 pci sound card

the card is connected to a Behringer UB802 mixer thru RCA ins and outs via the tape in & out on the mixer.

i have installed Cubase sx 3 and have a set of tutorial DVDs to get me started on the device setup etc.

any comments, suggestions or questions about my setup will be greatly appreciated, even if just to say that it looks like I'm good so far.

my first confusion is with definitions as they pertain to my device setup options.
the delta 2496 has several options as to which inputs and outputs can be used.
rather than risking a mistake in listing them, here are some pics of the control panels.
some are listed on the device setup in cubase as choices for input and output, I'm not sure yet of the definitions/differences so I'm going to have to read up quite a bit on which is which.
any pointers or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

[lunaticpro]

With speed like that - do yourself a favor and get more ram. You already got the processing speed. Ram will really help with the plugins. They will process faster and so forth. I started with 1gb of ram and later upgraded to 512mb more. Just the half a gb made a difference and Im using nearly half the processing chip your using (1.8 dual core intel). Now Im gonna max out to 3gb.

I use cubase sx 3 also but a different interface so I cant help you with you delta issue. I do know that you can set up the templates on cubase so when you open a new project you already got say - a 8 channel, mono recording set up and so forth. Your default template should be set up to the number of tracks you can simutaneusly record. Say 10 in - go for a 10 channel mono default template setup. Good luck.

[brandondrury]

my first confusion is with definitions as they pertain to my device setup options.

Ignore anything with S/PDIF. This is the digital output which means that you would need to purchase an additional analog to digital converter and digital to analog converter to use them. In your current state, you can't use them and really don't require them.

Waveout 1/2 is the output of the audio interface which you would send to your studio monitors.

H/W 1/2 is the inputs where you would send the line level signal from your preamps.

The only thing I would change in the control panel (assuming everything works) is I would set the sample rate to 44.1Khz.

Brandon

[TwistedLefty]

Thanks for the reply BrandonDrury, i appreciate the advice and i agree that i need to add ram.

but for now i am putting my setup and testing on hold because i have acquired an intermittent problem.

it seems that i am getting a BSoD that codes as a "device driver error"
the report from MS does not offer any solution other than the obvious laborous process of elimination involving removing and testing numerous pieces of hardware, software, etc, etc.
most suggestions from forums and the like point to a system Ram problem and since i am needing more anyway i think upgrading to 2GBs is probably worth a try.
hopefully my system crashing will cease and i can get back to learning cubase and finally recording my music.

if this does not fix the problem i am more than likely going to go the route of a digital recorder



(TASCAM DP-02CF)

Buy Tascam DP-02CF Portastud (Mislabeled) Portastudio at Musician's Friend



then i will be using (i assume) cubase, for remixing, mastering.

any thoughts/suggestions on this will of course be greatly appreciated.

[TwistedLefty]

Received the shipment from NewEgg yesterday and installed the new Ram.
I've not been able to recreate the system reboot (BSoD) yet.
I've tried running several fairly weighty programs at once while watching a Divx movie on WMP and downloading torrents.
So far, so good.
I've also run Sandra benchmark to test the overall system stability and it seems stable.

Anyone have a suggestion for other tests i might want to try?

I really want to make sure this is going to be stable before i put a lot of valuable time into learning cubase.

As always thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by TwistedLefty

I've tried running several fairly weighty programs at once while watching a Divx movie on WMP and downloading torrents.

Anyone have a suggestion for other tests i might want to try?

I would strongly advise NOT using your system for downloading torrents. If you need to do such a thing, buy another hard drive, install a dual boot system, and keep your crap separate from your studio.

If you're using an illegal version of Cubase (I'm not accusing you of it, but your post strongly supports the theory!), you may find many issues of stability are related to that.

[TwistedLefty]

Originally Posted by richiebee

I would strongly advise NOT using your system for downloading torrents. If you need to do such a thing, buy another hard drive, install a dual boot system, and keep your crap separate from your studio.

If you're using an illegal version of Cubase (I'm not accusing you of it, but your post strongly supports the theory!), you may find many issues of stability are related to that.

ok let me get this straight,
you assume way too much here for me to let this slide.

i appreciate any suggestions but would like a little backup of your reasoning.
are you are suggesting through your post that?,

1. somehow torrents are "crap" (or at least mine are) and that somehow this threatens my system?
2. you suggest that my instability problems may be related to my using of an illegal (strongly suggested in my post???) copy of cubase?

1. suggested educational info
LegalTorrents™ - Home
Creative Commons
Legal torrent sites - AzureusWiki

these and many other sites offer a large number of "legal" torrents or related info on how to share or provide legal torrents.

2. My copy of cubase is legal. (although it's none of anyones business) i acquired it from an ex-relative that teaches guitar. he recently upgraded to cubase 4.
although we are on good terms, it is better for my current relations at home to not spend much time with this person.
My stability problems are not software related, of this i am 100% positive.

the tutorial DVDs he gave me with it are from legal online sources.
they are on divx or xvid (i forget which one) to compress them on a DVD for easy access by him and i had nothing to do with it.
without researching further i can't honestly say that the codex he used to do this was divx or xvid because I'm really not concerned with that.
the justification for using torrents is for homeschooling my children and sharing very large files such as movies and books etc, with other home schoolers and family that i network with.

i am not a pirate or whatever you are suggesting and would strongly advise anyone to only download/upload legally shareable data.

i hope this clears things up.

i would like to remain a member of this community and feel that i may actually have something to offer once i get up to speed on cubase and related recording questions.

i would hope that in the future any comments not related to my questions be sent by PM to keep things uncluttered and to avoid unfair accusations or suggestions that reflect negatively.

[brandondrury]

crap

Before this goes the wrong way, I want to comment on what "crap" is. "Crap" is anything on a recording computer that inhibits the computer's ability to record. So with that said, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Open Office are all crap......for recording. Of course, I use these three programs hours and hours per day on my home computer where I do most of my internet work. However, for recording purposes, they are DEFINITELY crap.

For those of us without the luxury of a seperate computers for recording and non-recording work, a dual boot system is the best solution I know of.

So don't take what Richiebee said personally. Downloading Torrents is DEFINITELY going to reduce recording computer performance and therefore I have to put them in the "crap for recording" category.

I think it is safe to say that most uses of Torrent are illegal even though there are notable legal uses.

Richiebee is clearly trying to help here, so don't take anything he says the wrong way. You've got to remember that Richiebee and myself have helped many, many people over the years and when you've seen your share of pirates trying to make Cubase work, it's easy to assume that's the problem. If nothing else, you want to make sure that the person is using a legitimate copy so you don't waste time fixing a program that is already broken.

My copy of cubase is legal. (although it's none of anyones business)

Fair enough. However, Richiebee is right in pointing out that illegal versions of software are seldom reliable. If this doesn't apply to your situation, great!

My stability problems are not software related, of this i am 100% positive.

How did you come to this conclusion? Just curious. Do you include problems with drivers as "software related"?

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by TwistedLefty

ok let me get this straight,
you assume way too much here for me to let this slide.

I never assumed anything which is why I put a disclaimer on my suspicion, which has perfectly valid reasoning -

1. Cubase 3 hasn't been commercially available for over a year, so if you've just started using it, you didn't "buy it new". I don't recall what Steinberg's deal is with license transfer, but you should check it out if you haven't already before you claim that you are running a legal version!

2. Bit torrents are generally used to illegally file share. Eg, films, music, software...

3. You used the term noOb! Nuff said.

1. somehow torrents are "crap" (or at least mine are) and that somehow this threatens my system?

Yeah, exactly. Torrents are a good source for malware, spyware and taking over the use of your computer.

2. you suggest that my instability problems may be related to my using of an illegal (strongly suggested in my post???) copy of cubase?

Yes.

1. suggested educational info
LegalTorrents™ - Home
Creative Commons
Legal torrent sites - AzureusWiki

these and many other sites offer a large number of "legal" torrents or related info on how to share or provide legal torrents.

So, you're suggesting, but not actually saying that you use a bit torrent for downloading only legal things. Just for the record, is that true?

2. My copy of cubase is legal. (although it's none of anyones business) i acquired it from an ex-relative that teaches guitar. he recently upgraded to cubase 4.
although we are on good terms, it is better for my current relations at home to not spend much time with this person.

You should check into that further, but assuming you transferred the license with Steinberg, great. You have a legal install of Cubase.

i would hope that in the future any comments not related to my questions be sent by PM to keep things uncluttered and to avoid unfair accusations or suggestions that reflect negatively.

That's just silly. If you have nothing to hide, it can all be kept on the forum. Then you don't have to deal with ten people PM'ing you the same stupid question.

Seriously dude/dudette, you need to relax. No one is accusing you of anything. You suggested it in your post. You could have easily cleared it up for everyone by simply saying "My Cubase installation is legal". I don't even care whether you are using a legal or illegal install. It makes no difference to me. I was simply suggesting that it is often a source of trouble.

As a final word, if you can't get on with me, ignore me or tell me to ignore your posts. There's never a reason to ever leave a forum because of your relationship with one person.

[TwistedLefty]

wow, i guess i over reacted, thanks for all the great advice.
now that i know that "crap" means anything downloaded or not a part of the recording process i can make a distinction

"So, you're suggesting, but not actually saying that you use a bit torrent for downloading only legal things. Just for the record, is that true?"

read my post again, i stated clearly...
"the justification for using torrents is for homeschooling my children and sharing very large files such as movies and books etc, with other home schoolers and family that i network with."

"i am not a pirate or whatever you are suggesting and would strongly advise anyone to only download/upload legally shareable data."

is this merely "suggesting" that i do not download illegal files? no it's quite clear.

i am disappointed that we got off on the wrong foot, but i am even more disappointed that you cannot bring yourself to admit that you made an unjustified slight on my character.
yet nowhere in your last post do you offer any possibility that you may have been wrong about me.

"Quote:
i would hope that in the future any comments not related to my questions be sent by PM to keep things uncluttered and to avoid unfair accusations or suggestions that reflect negatively."

"That's just silly. If you have nothing to hide, it can all be kept on the forum. Then you don't have to deal with ten people PM'ing you the same stupid question."

no it's not silly in the least bit.
i have nothing to hide and my suggestion to PM questions that are off topic or accusitory in nature would be better handled in private. i've moderated several forums in the past and this is the type of thing that is best handled privately.

after 90+ reads on this thread and the multitude of helpful responces i think i can fairly say that i've exhausted the available "help" i might get here.

thanks for all the fish.

i guess this will be deleted, so have a good day and try not to assume so quickly next time, you may make a valuable friend.