Data Storage Configuration for DAW / Multiuse + more

[NoJones]

Hi ! I'm total novice to computer aided music production and to music all together tbh So please be patient. I've used quite a lot of time for research but I'm with inconclusive results So asking here o ye mighty computer nerds

Rig will be for : DAW. Virtual instruments. Recording vocals.

Rig will _also_ be for : Casual gaming , media storage/playing , and downloading stuff

What I have : C2D E6750 capable 3.6GHz + 4GB ddr2. Virtually silent cooling solution in modded Antec p180. 4 x scythe SQD1000 for 3"5 HDDs. XPhome32bit.

What I'm planning to get based on data mined : Gigabyte EP35-DS4 (TI chip for firewire) , 4 x 640 GB Samsung F1 or W.Digital GP , 32GB 2.5" SATA SSD - MLC.

Planned configuration : Trancend SSD for system. HDDs Intel matrix-raided in relatively small 0 array for samples , recording and other quick access tasks + large 5 array for system and 0 array images , TB worth of flacs etc.

Question 1 : Any knowledge of that SSD compared to 2.5" HDD in system drive use ? All I was able to find out was that it uses slower memory than some other SSDs (MLC instead of SLC hence the lower price $65~70vat0%).

Question 2 : Does the Intel Matrix work as it's been advertised ? I've never used that feature. Will the CPU usage of this software RAID be a problem ? Please note that I can disable all unwanted activity in raid5 array while streaming data from/to striped performance array.

Here is the rest of planned gear (need to save till January ) if it has any relevance or You have comments on it :

Tascam FireOne ($130) - Please tell me I can go this cheap. Love the jog/scrubwheel
Rode NT1-A, popf.incl. ($140)
Rubicon R5A, pair ($250)
Rubicon R10S ($290) - ditch this if monitors with 8" LF-woofer sufficient for bass guitar ?
AKG K271S ($125)
Novation Remote 37 SL ($450) - Very expensive but with high rep.
Washburn T24 Bass Guitar ($280) - Entry level - Do You wanna Funk
Olympus LS-10 ($280) or Tascam GT-R1 new model with trainer ($315) - Sounds of city/nature
DIY cables from highend Neutrik / Sommer Cable + micstand ($200)

This became a megapost tho I tried to be brief. Sorry and TY for reading /replying

[Electriclight]

Well, until a super computer genius replies...

I think you are spending way too much time worrying about the computer specs of this studio.

On the other hand, the heart and soul of your studio is your interface and you are willing to go cheap and you think it's "cool". The Fireone may be great but be aware that it's gotten lower and lower in price because it never sold. That's not a reason to avoid it but it is a discontinued item that will not be supported with any future updates. So it seems an odd choice to design a studio around.

You are missing a key bit of info here... the music.

No one can give advice on gear if they don't know what your musical plans are. Do you really need a MIDI controller? Will you NEVER need more than two inputs? Are super cables your most pressing need?

Putting it gently, the computer won't make the music - you will.

Good Luck -Dave

[richiebee]

What's the point of an SSD in a desktop?

You mention that you want to use VI's, but you don't mention what ones. It makes a huge difference - some rely on streaming data from disk (notably sample based), and others don't (most commonly synthesis based).

It certainly seems that in some areas you're trying to be a gear head, and in others you're cutting massive corners.

Are you planning a dual boot or some other way to totally isolate your studio system from your downloading/gaming system? You're probably heading for performance problems if not.

Are you RAIDing because your shit is going to be so hot that there ain't no way you're losing your data?

Just trying to understand where you're coming from with all this stuff dude.

R.

[kevmove02]

I pretty much agree with what was already said. Since it seems you have some coin to spend, buy 2 computers: one exclusively for music production and one exclusively for all the other stuff you do on a computer. Or better yet, don't buy a 2nd computer, but use the money to buy a state of the art audio interface. Every dollar you skimp on your audio interface will equal 24 man hours trying to resolve audio problems that would not have occurred if you bought a more expensive, but stable audio interface.