Recommended Pc Manufacturer

[uselessoldman]

Building a PC is a doddle, you cannot go wrong and installing windows is childs play, follow what the menu says fill in the info and your done. But I guess I can say that from experience and it is something I enjoy, when it works and continues to work.

No you cannot blame Scan your PC or Windows 10 for old legacy toys not working, thats down to the original manufacturer and not providing proper working drivers, like Yamaha and my 01x. grrrrrr

It makes complete common sense when buying a complete new system to get someone else to build it, especially if your not confident yourself. But then what about upgrades? I remember when PC World first opened and they charged £65 labour just to replace a Graphics Card, £150 to re-install windows and transfer your data. They even charged you £50 to look at it before then charge you to fix an issue even with their own computers claiming it wasn't covered by the Warranty as it covered the hardware only.

I have had more than a few friends and family take their computer to a shop to be told xyz was wrong with it and get a staggeringly large bill or quote. Yes diagnostic can take patience and time, sometimes its obvious and easy others it can take hours sometimes you can't fix a problem, rare but not unknown. Most common fault are drivers followed by bad memory, computer do go faulty, like everything else. Computers are no more reliable than they were 20 or 30 years ago, but they do not go out of date superseded expire as fast as they used to. A well spec'd computer today will or should last you 10 years, you might need to replace the odd part (component) along the way, but not a complete system. That said I guess you might have to reinstall windows a few times.

Just think what your DAW or plugins were like 10 yrs ago, how they have significantly improved yet the same system can still run the modern versions all perfectly fine. I actually deleted all the plugins I had dated prior to 2018, if it wasn't updated its gone.

I had shelves full of software boxes some were really old, like 30 yrs old. They have all gone to, just a single folder with all my licenses and that is saved on my computer not hard copy.

[uselessoldman]

poor blindrew, be thankful it wasn't a brand new £60k Merc that the dealers couldn't fix and it still run like shti. Then after 6k the engine blows up in pieces.

[The Elf]

Building a PC is a doddle, you cannot go wrong

Oh yes you can!!! And I've seen it many times!

And some of the worst-performing audio PCs I've ever seen have been the result of "I know a bloke who builds gaming PCs..."

[Mike Stranks]

I've gotta agree with the Elf...

IMPE those who are constantly having PC/Windows problems are those who think they know something about computers... they often do, but not nearly enough! They're the ones who tell me to 'do it myself' and who I won't let anywhere near any of the PCs and laptops in this house. Once bitten...

[Hugh Robjohns]

The OP sought a recommended PC supplier. Self-build wasn't mentioned as an option.

We currently have 10 posts independently suggesting Scan (with one negative post for balance).

I reckon that's job done!

[Drew Stephenson]

We currently have 10 posts independently suggesting Scan (with one negative post for balance).

And to be fair, I suspect the actual ratio is far higher based on previous posts and threads. I think I just have been a bit unlucky.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think you're right, but I can certainly understand your disappointment.

I'm still getting to grips with a new 3XS machine I bought a few weeks ago and still wading through the delights of installing and setting up endless software... Every few days I try to do something and realize I haven't loaded on the software for that yet...

But I have to say the internal build quality is exemplary and it all works perfectly (so far). To the original machine I've added a UAD quad card, some RME cards (my original AIO plus TCO module, and a new AIO Pro card), and it's happy driving a pair of Iiyama monitors directly from its on-board graphics.

[uselessoldman]

Fortunately having worked in the computer industry I understand and appreciate organisation, which is strange considering IT always had the worst reputation over any department. All my plugin folders are split into individual vendors except VST3s, which I have just left as default install location and I rename all the original install folders so I know what version is currently installed.

Kontakt is easy I have two main folders Kantakt Authorised and the other Kontakt UnAuthorised. I do like Native Access, for once something that actually works.

But its the Soundbanks, wav sample and Presets owned used by plugins that really drive me mad. Some in pubic docs some in your own user docs some in the vstx64 dll folder some in Program Data others in Program FIles even Common FIles, they are all over the damn place. I have spent weeks going through my fav plugins sorting moving them all onto and into one soundbank partition/disk. It just makes adding expansions updating and especially backing them up so much easier and then I know exactly where they are and not hunting them down.

Now after a rebuild, I can copy the vendors specific Program FIles Folders including common, the Program Data folders and VST3 folder across, as the vst dll folders and soundbanks are still where they were when I configure the DAWs to target and search the custom vst folder almost everything works first time. Last time took me half a day before it took days.

Oh yes and then there is the licensing issue, curse swear eff in blind. Some are easy Native Access, Waves Central, Nexus Spectrasonics etc log in everything works fine. Some use the registry so needs to be physically installed before they work. In my user docs folder I have one specific folder, Licenses, inside it has specific vendor folders and then inside them a batch file with the respective license file/s. Run the batch file it automatically updates the registry and installs the license updates Soundbank location etc thats about 80/85% of plugins covered, the rest are all damn manual, drag in licenses redirect to preset soundbanks.

I wonder how much Scan or anyone else would quote to rebuild reinstall a music workstation? 3 figures maybe even 4? and yes I am being serious. It takes 24 hours of continuous copying to transfer my Kontakt Authorised library alone. SSD would be faster but they are not fast at writing only reading thats why they are good great even for file access not storage when they are no better and sometimes worse. IN fact I would not be surprised if they said thanks but no thanks !!

[tea for two]

Hi Hope someone can help

I am looking at a new PC for music production, is there any company you would recommend for a PC? are Carillon any good?

Thanks in Advance

Stuart

Hi Stuart

I think it helps our music creation process when we can just forget about the computer as were,

For this reason I would suggest a Specialist Audio Computer (SAC) assembler company.

There were several SAC assembler companies posting on this forum just over a decade earlier.

Oscar winning composer AR Rahman 2008 Slum Dog Millionare used a SAC in 2007 2008 from one such SAC assembler company posting on this forum.

Many of them have fallen by the way side.

Nowadays the last one standing still posting on this forum from time to time is Scan.

On Scan site there are computers workstations for Video editing, CAD, 3D Modelling, Gaming, Music Making.

These differentiations highlight that each requires separate attention, separate testing of components, separate merging of components.

Thus yes I would purchase a SAC.

And I would request select that it was assembled around latest AMD 5xxxx series processor.

[TheLegit]

The only issue I had with SCAN was that I for some inexplicable reason bought a 'Touring Case' thinking it would offer it more protection even though it would never go on tour. Weighs an absolute ton you literally wouldn't believe it

[n o i s e f l e ur]

Another vote for Scan here, if Brexit-related issues aren't a concern.

I will say I had a few issues with the process of them actually delivering on the advertised spec due to Intel stock shortages, and a couple of other issues with the machine on arrival (easy to address). I don't blame them for the shortage but they could have been more responsive in syncing the Configurator to the SKUs they had in stock. That's no refelction on the quality of their build, however.

Solid machine, no consequential complaints.

Would buy again.

[uselessoldman]

Same goes for the Fractal Design XL cases, especially when fully loaded since they have cages for 8 hard drives. I did have them populated with 1/2Tb drives but gradually replaced them with 6/8Tb and now no longer use the SATA raid card and down to 5 drives two of which are lighter SSDs. Still weighs an absolute ton.

The issue I have with SAC is everyones demands on their computers are different, yet the components used are all the same, just a different spec. Computers have hardly changed in 10 years, some slight improvements here and there but a top of the range computer back then will still keep up with any good computer today (clearly not the top end ones). I replaced the motherboard to give me M2 and graphics cos I moved to 4k, and larger drives are now available. Yes DDR4 is faster than DDR3 higher cores are now available at a reasonable price mine are all Quad 4 cores min, now you get 8/12/16 which 10 yrs ago was only available on servers or high end pro workstations.

I bought my Vega64 18 months ago for £240 its not trading on eBay for over £700 !! I seriously thought about ripping it out and selling it cos I have RX570s kicking about and there good enough for playing WOT and have 4k drivers.

If anyone asked me today when to buy and what to buy, I would strongly recommend waiting, for 2 reasons.

Computers currently are way over priced inflated by the chip shortage and pandemic
DDR5 USB4 will be here later this year, then will be the time to buy and hopefully by the end of the year prices will come down, although rumour has it we might have to wait up to 2 yrs... I will wait

[n o i s e f l e ur]

Are you sure you're on the right forum?

I'd be interested to hear what exactly you think DDR5 or USB4 bring to the table for audio production that DDR4 or USB3 fail to deliver.

[uselessoldman]

USB4 should be a huge and significant release since it will incorporate firewire which many of us use for our audio interfaces/mixers. You try and find a current laptop or (2 in 1) tablet with firewire like the Microsoft Surface range ? Yes you can buy a thunderbolt PCIe card for £70 but thats half the price of a decent motherboard. So to be include for free, is a great benefit/feature as well as meaning I can buy a new Surface Pro tablet and use my Liquid 56 with it.

AS for DDR5, its just faster, but that said meaning any board with DDR4 will be incompatible, and since all new boards will have DDR5 its the future and for future proofing will be with us a good 5 years buy DDR4 and its going to be out of date next year. So for me looking to replace my existing systems (3 of them) I will want DDR5 same with the Surface PRo cos I want it to use with my X32.

As for forums, aaaugh I only mess about on a few now not enough time or inclination but computers and IT is something I know inside out.

[n o i s e f l e ur]

USB4 should be a huge and significant release since it will incorporate firewire which many of us use for our audio interfaces/mixers. You try and find a current laptop or (2 in 1) tablet with firewire like the Microsoft Surface range ? Yes you can buy a thunderbolt PCIe card for £70 but thats half the price of a decent motherboard. So to be include for free, is a great benefit/feature as well as meaning I can buy a new Surface Pro tablet and use my Liquid 56 with it.

AS for DDR5, its just faster, but that said meaning any board with DDR4 will be incompatible, and since all new boards will have DDR5 its the future and for future proofing will be with us a good 5 years buy DDR4 and its going to be out of date next year. So for me looking to replace my existing systems (3 of them) I will want DDR5 same with the Surface PRo cos I want it to use with my X32.

As for forums, aaaugh I only mess about on a few now not enough time or inclination but computers and IT is something I know inside out.

For the record.

I can't even . . .

[uselessoldman]

You asked me why I was so in favour of DDR5 and especially USB4 and I gave you my reasons and what they deliver. I have 3 systems to upgrade and looking for a Surface Pro which none currently deliver what I want but will in the near future. To me that is a cost of about £3k, no small investment and at 57 I hope the last computers I will ever need !! certainly for music/audio although I will I guess add some other upgrades down the line for gaming

maybe I should add the order will go to either Scan or CCL, depending on stock and price.

[n o i s e f l e ur]

You asked me why I was so in favour of DDR5 and especially USB4 and I gave you my reasons and what they deliver. .

No - you need to go back and read the question again.

Perhaps take a moment to consider where IEEE 1394 enters the picture. Ask yourself if audio-production is currently bandwidth-constrained.

but computers and IT is something I know inside out.

Do you really believe this to be the case?

[uselessoldman]

ok I see your point and maybe I should have explained better. I have a Focusrite Liquid 56 that uses firewire. My systems are currently AMD FX8350 on Gigabyte GA-990x motherboards cos they have a M2 socket, which I filled with Adata 1Tb NVMe thingies and PCIe Firewire cards.

These audio interfaces confirmed work with Thunderbolt, so in theory will also work with USB4 doing away with the need for the addon cards and with the Surface Pro that does not have firewire or Thunderbolt means it will also work when Microsoft add USB4 ports.

Also it will mean I can use my Yamaha 01x cos I will be able to run it in a virtual machine and not have to configure dual boot systems as it also uses firewire.

Obviously USB devices will see no change or benefit like my Behringer X32, but then we all know that

[n o i s e f l e ur]