LINK 84: 2010 PC NOTES COLUMNS

For anything relating to music-making on Windows computers, with lots of FAQs. Moderated by Martin Walker.
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LINK 84: 2010 PC NOTES COLUMNS

Post by Martin Walker »

JANUARY 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan10/a ... s_0110.htm

If you’re upgrading to Windows 7, you might be considering buying a 64-bit version to access more RAM. But will you still be able to use all your 32-bit plug-ins?

Intro - when can we expect 64-bit versions of all our favourite VST Instruments and Plug-ins?

Building Bridges - 'bit bridge' wrappers, Steinber VST Bridge, jBridge...

Bounce Metronome Pro - mini-review of a clever PC metronome utility with visual options such as 3D bouncing balls, animated drumsticks and conductor’s baton graphics.

Audiophile USB? - Aqvox USB Driver.

First USB 3.0 motherboard - Asus Xtreme Design P7DP55DE-E Premium

Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 2010 - special new features of interest to musicians.
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Martin Walker
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February 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

FEBRUARY 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb10/a ... s_0210.htm

Find that elusive synth preset when you can’t remember its name, generate music from your own images, and catch up with the latest PC news bites.

Examine32 Text Search - mini-review of this handy utility from Aquila Software, suggestions for synth preset use...

SpectroBits - mini-review of this excellent freeware real-time graphics to audio VST Instrument.

Windows 7 Drivers - 8-port MIDI interfaces

Entangled Species - AAS String Studio presets.

Fatter Platters - 1TB and 2TB hard drives explored.
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Martin Walker
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March 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

MARCH 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar10/a ... s_0310.htm

This month, we’re talking new technologies, including futuristic carbon-nanotube computing and — more immediately — the availability of SuperSpeed USB...

Intro - carbon-nanotube circuitry, cooler running computers.

SuperSpeed USB Is Here - sustained transfer rates of USB2, Firewire 400/800,USB 3.0, hard drive bottlenecks removed...

Gulftown News - six-core processing, upgrade paths from Intel Core i5 and i7.

Xoxos Plug-Ins Set Free - 80 PC-only plug-ins, instruments and utilities now available as freeware.

Kong Audio Releases - new PC-only VST Instruments recorded by Chinese musicians for ultimate authenticity.
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Martin Walker
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April 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

APRIL 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr10/a ... s_0410.htm

The silent studio is a real possibility now that solid-state drives are offering unrivalled transfer rates, free from mechanical noise. So why aren’t we all switching over?

Solid-State Drives & The Musician - faster boot times, low noise for studio use

And The Cons - Cost, greater overheads as drive fills up.

IndyGo FXTractor - conversion from VST Preset to FXP/FXB format.

Shareware Spotlight - Robin Schmidt MIDI Monitor and Signal Analyser
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Martin Walker
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May 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

MAY 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may10/a ... s_0510.htm

High-capacity drives now not only make it possible to carry entire multitrack audio projects in your back pocket, they also allow installation of some audio applications, theoretically offering a totally portable studio solution.

USB Memory Sticks - Kingston’s 256GB DataTraveler 310

USB Stick Format Options - FAT16, FAT32, NTFS. Which is better?

SHEPPi Spatial Enhancer - mini-review of a freeware plug-in that’s seriously good.

PC Snippets - Dodgy USB Sticks, Dongles aren’t so bad...
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Martin Walker
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June 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

JUNE 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun10/a ... s_0610.htm

Not everyone has yet made the leap to Windows 7, so if you’re a musician, what are the benefits of upgrading?

Seventh Heaven? - Windows 7 runs smoother than Vista, but any performance benefits over Windows XP?

Startup Delayer - Delaying non-essential tasks with Startup Delayer can result in your PC being ready for duty sooner than expected.

PC Snippets - Reaktor PRoPHeCy, Gulftown Update, RME Babyface.
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Martin Walker
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July 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

JULY 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/a ... s_0710.htm

If your PC is overheating, the solution could be as simple as getting rid of the filth — and we don’t mean pornography...

Filth Removal - link to the X-Rated PC Guide, how to spring clean your PC.

USB Hub Deception - Don’t get caught out buying a ‘USB 2 Hub’ that has a maximum speed of just 12Mbps!

SATA Confusion - SATA 1.5Gb/s, SATA 3Gb/s, SATA 6Gb/s, SATA 2, SATA 3...

PC Snippets - OCZ Enyo USB3 external drives, EasyTune culprit exposed, DDR3 RAM on the up.
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Martin Walker
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August 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

AUGUST 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug10/a ... s-0810.htm

The need for speed continues with the release of Intel’s new optical cable technology, hot on the heels of Superspeed USB 3...

Superspeed USB 3.0 - Light Peak optical cable technology, 100-metre long cables, and no ground loops!

Tonic Patternarium - ‘Musical Darwinism’, and a glimpse into the future.

PC Snippets - Windows 7 SP1, Record PC Market Growth, Sharp Video Wall, WhoCrashed...
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Martin Walker
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Posts: 21477 Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:44 am Location: Cornwall, UK

September 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

SEPTEMBER 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/a ... s-0910.htm

With official support for USB 3 sorely lacking, we’ll just have to make the most of its predecessor.

Superspeed USB 3.0 - Intel tardiness, non-essential for audio interfaces, why USB 2.0 bandwidth is sufficient for audio.

Audiobulb Ambient - mini-review of this inspiring standalone soundscape generator.

PC Snippets - Half Windows 7 installs are 64-bit, PC Prices Up.
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Martin Walker
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October 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

OCTOBER 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct10/a ... s-1010.htm

There seems to be a nasty bout of CPU throttling going around. But don’t despair: we may have a cure...

CPU Throttling - what it does, why it does it, and why it’s bad for an audio PC

Windows Power Scheme - most suitable setting for this and BIOS option

Clock On! - checking if your PC is being throttled using various utilities

PC Snippets - Windows 7 overtakes Vista, RAM price hikes, and Intel Sandy Bridge news
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Martin Walker
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November 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

NOVEMBER 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov10/a ... s-1110.htm

If your hard drives are overflowing, what’s the best way to add extra capacity? PC Notes investigates...

The three options - buying a new PC, installing additional hard drives, replacing existing drives with larger models.

Getting Transferred - copying everything over intact from your previous drives: Windows, applications, data, the lot.

Clone Wars - dongle and serial-number protected audio software survival.

Scope For Improvement - Oszillos Mega Scope mini-review.
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Martin Walker
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Posts: 21477 Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:44 am Location: Cornwall, UK

December 2010 PC Notes Column

Post by Martin Walker »

DECEMBER 2010:http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec10/a ... s-1210.htm

If your laptop’s giving you ground-loop problems, maybe it’s time to go back to battery power...

Batteries Included - NiMH and Lithium types, how to get the longest life.

Still In The Fan Club - Seasonic X-Series fanless PSUs

Front-panel USB 3.0 - ASRock offer first motherboards with front-panel USB 3.0 connectors.

AudioMulch 2.1.0 - update news on this excellent real-time sound creation and improvisational composition software.
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Martin Walker
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Posts: 21477 Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:44 am Location: Cornwall, UK
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