Taking the Vista challenge: NOT a poll, an Audio discussion

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:05 am

Just when we thought that MS was getting it right with XP, they up and release Vista. For many it was not a big deal. We still have XP. And with major brand computer companies begging MS to prolong XP's distribution, it seemed that we would catch a nice break. After all we have too much invested in hardware and software to simply view this as a simple "upgrade". But...

Now we are on the edge of SP3 for XP. And that is it. After that support will dwindle down to nothing. Simultaneously is the SP1 release for Vista. If that were not enough we are seeing images of Windows 7 (which in my opinion will help to introduce Vista SP2 if that is not what it is).

Have you tested, tasted, or plunged into Vista? If so, what have you found that works with it? Hardware? Software, etc? (this is all audio related of course) Has anyone tried SP1 RC1 for Vista?

If you have not gone with Vista, why not?

I am still in the process of doing some "testing" and will share my results with you shortly. Nothing major in the benchmark department but more likely DAW type scenarios to keep it real. Meanwhile, let's discuss it, uh, if you are interested that is!

Jon Solo

RiotNrrd · Post by **RiotNrrd** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:12 am

My old computer was too slow to handle the new upgrade of Propellerheads Reason (and didn't have a DVD drive, which was required), so, in anticipation of the new release, I bought a new computer last August. Naturally, it came with Vista.

It runs the new release of Reason without a problem. I haven't had a single issue with Vista - in my own experience it is just as stable as XP. There've been some driver horror stories, but I haven't run into any of them.

Note that this is purely my own experience - others definitely have had problems. But I haven't been one of them.

RiotNrrd · Post by **RiotNrrd** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:14 am

Wow, that was a pretty wild error message I just got here. Sorry about the double post - it seems to be a result of whatever was going on behind the scenes.

RiotNrrd · Post by **RiotNrrd** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:16 am

And now the double post is gone.

Weird.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:46 am

RiotNrrd

Are you using a built-in soundcard, add on PCI card, or external USB for your audio?

Jon

RiotNrrd · Post by **RiotNrrd** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:05 am

I'm just using the built-in soundcard.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:02 am

Thanks for the reply. Many users veered away from Vista because of a lack of drivers for their pro card. Additionally Vista is a memory hog with a huge kernal. If that were not enough the visual enhancements add to all sorts of issues with audio playback. And if THAT were not enough, getting programs to run required 3-5 additional clicks every time you start up just giving the program permission to do the same repetitive task over and over. Seems like there would be a "Don't Ask Me About This Program Again, Dammit" box you could check.

On the other hand, Vista is more secure and is currently shipping with almost every new system. Even those that carry XP CANNOT carry it after March (from everything that I have read). So if you get a new PC, you are pretty much stuck with Vista. The reason this is NOT so bad anymore is that there are plenty of drivers that have been released for audio cards that seem very stable even though we are not at SP1 in Vista.

Additionally, many audio programs, with some tweaking run just as good as they do in XP. There are a few that claim to run better under Vista than XP if you follow their 'executable' instructions.

The one thing that is exciting me about Windows 7 is that right now the kernal is merely 28mb in size. That means this is the smallest kernal of a Windows OS in the last 13 years. If they can maintain that size and add skinnable user GUI, we are going to have the fastest, most portable OS for music we have EVER had (including Linux and Mac). Especially since Windows 7 will maintain Virtual Machine capabilities.

I have feelings about MS and what their plans for the future are with this, but will share as others comment.

Jon

Pecca · Post by **Pecca** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm

Currently i make my music stuff on my stationary PC that runs XP.
I have Vista on my laptop which i´d love to use for the mobilitys sake. Will need to expand ram to atleast 2gb (have 1 now). The built in sound isn´t very good, so i´m going to buy some kind of audio card to it. USB or Firewire... Haven´t decided which i´ll go for yet.
Might take a month or 2 before i upgrade my laptop, but i´ll certainly have a go at it sooner or later.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:50 pm

Pecca,

Either choice would be ok, except Firewire seems much faster. I have always been pleased with M-Audio products for a good cost/performance ratio, and recently they have released finalized Vista drivers for many of their portable products. They have also released betas for their PCI products as well for Vista.

Since RAM is so cheap consider going to 4gb. I got a deal on Slickdeals.net from an online vendor. $50 after -$20 MIR. You really can't go wrong and since Vista wants a chunk, you will need all you can get for audio.

This weekend I should be able to post some direct comparisons. I have a dual boot machine (XP/Vista)

Jon

Pecca · Post by **Pecca** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:46 am

Jon

I will have to check if my laptop has any limitations regarding ram.
I do have a 2GB Kingston memory stick that can be used as a "ReadyBoost" device in Vista. Not as fast as real ram, but might work storing samples used in a music project.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:47 pm

It's taken me a couple years to get comfy with computer recording, and I am now, so Vista came at a bad time for me.
My current PC is doing real well (knock wood), so I'm stickin' it out for as long as possible..
I do have conversations with the Geek Squad anytime they're available for questioning, and they're pretty positive about Vista, where as before they absolutely warned me against it for audio, especially since they said that owners of E-MU PCI cards were all having driver issues, (I have a 1212M).
By the time I get ready to upgrade my PC again, especially in light of recent events with Fed Ex, I may take a long hard look at Macintosh.
The learning curves don't appeal to me, but an awful lot of my internet collaborators use Macs, and they constantly remind me of how great they are for digital audio.
Finances will be a determining factor, now that I'm semi retired, so if I go with a PC, and Vista, it'll probably be under protest, because I couldn't afford to spend 3 grand on a Mac, and new software.
Change, is something I rarely enjoy.