Studio on a USB key - non-ASIO host suggestions?

[Consumer Whore]

Hello everybody.

Common problems relating to poor workflow and lack of discipline have been expounded many times on these fora. Just when I had spent some time learning and becoming workflow efficient, my boss sends me off on an extended travelling stint. Now, whilst this may in itself be a blessing in terms of inspiration and health, it does rather put a damper on my music pretentions.

Or does it? Let me explain...

I have a nearly-dedicated laptop DAW at home, but I have been handed a shiny new laptop from work. I am forced to make a pragmatic decision as to which one to bring on the road

The big problem is that my work laptop, though reasonbly-well specc'd (Pentium-M, 512mb RAM), is cursed with Windows NT, and thus with various restrictions on installing drivers etc. In plain, I cannot install the ASIO drivers (ASIO4ALL) necessary to allow me to run energyXT.

So here's what I wanna do...

Since I use a USB key to hold various useful utility programs, mostly small executables, that replace the need to install anything, the thought occured that I could perhaps put a small studio onto a 512mb USB key. This would allow me to simply plug-in an compose on almost any pc - obviously with no complex mixdowns or sample-based workstations! - but enough to get me by until I get home.

Is there a small host like energyXT that is not ASIO dependent and does not require installation? I only require basic host functionality: - There are plenty of free midi plugs I can get at KVR.

The soundcard is a Dell - Sigma job (WDM?) and seems to work fine. I intend to use the following plugins (you are invited to specify more):

Host: ? (Need help choosing)

Synths:
Triangle I
Synth1
Galactix
Neurosynth pack

Drums:
Drumatic3
ODO Rhythms

Sampers:
SFZ with a few small soundfonts
Angstrolooper
Slifty

Other:
Trollo
Various MIDI plugs...


FX:
Nyquist EQ
Classic Series


Wav editior:
Audacity


Utils:
CDEX



Thanks in advance for any advice...

Ja

[Squonk]

I could be wrong, but NT doesn't (generally) support USB, although there are some devices with custom driver support.

[Consumer Whore]

Yep, I know that, but I have the USB driver - and until now it works fine with a variety of USB sticks.

Of course it is only USB 1.0 - but that shouldn't matter once all plugs are loaded into RAM (or should it?)

[UltraJv]

This idea is being worked on but in a more general (ie non audio) way. Manufacturers have got together and are trying to standardise apps running from USB devices. The problem is that apps put files all over the place in windows and the apps have to be recompiled to work to a new stardard, Its not coming any time soon but it is in progress. The only real solution to your problem is to dual boot NT with XP.

[geoslake]

Yea, if programmers had done a proper job from the start, they wouldnt have relied on registry, windows folders/dll etc.
A clean app should be self contained in its folder, period.

[Consumer Whore]

Yes, I understand, but I don't think we are speaking of the same thing. Technically the plug-ins won't be running from the USB key once they are loaded into RAM - In energyXT, for example, you can load a plug-in by dropping the dll onto the main screen.

I mean, the USB key is not a requirement - I could equally drag all plugs into a new folder on the hard-drive and work from there.

Latency is not an issue, as I'll mostly be midi sequencing.

Thanks,
J

[UltraJv]

The problem is that any app or driver needs to be installed. This puts files where they are needed in windows. Most apps wont run without installing as of yet. plugs are different but they too rely on other things being installed before you can use them. The plugs arnt the problem - its the host. As I said before, the only solution is to dual boot NT and XP.

[Consumer Whore]

You cant just run an app without installing it as of yet.

UltraJv,

Thanks for your input, and excuse me for my ignorance of Windows OSs, but...
On my USB key now I have a bunch of applications that do not need installation. They are simple executables. My thinking is that host in the form of an executable (and not ASIO-dependent) could be run in this way.

What you are saying is that, for a host to work, it is absolutley required that it interfaces with the registry, drivers, etc?

I dunno, with all the ingenuity at work around here, surely somebody has encountered this. Any developers available for comment?

Cheers,
J

[Squonk]

Yep, I know that, but I have the USB driver - and until now it works fine with a variety of USB sticks.

M'kay, sorry, hope I didn't sound patronising!

[Consumer Whore]

M'kay, sorry, hope I didn't sound patronising!

Not at all. Thanks anyway.

[UltraJv]

Yes for a host to work it relies on certain dlls to be installed on windows to work properly. I dont think anyone is going to specially compile a unique version unless you pay them $$$s or maybe write one yourself

[Consumer Whore]

Ok, I getcha. Thanks for the info - and bringing me down to earth...


Might have to opt for a Yamaha QY100...

[rockstar_not]

Might think about going larger than the key - try getting one of the inexpensive laptop disk enclosures (they cost about 20$) and putting in a small laptop hard drive, say 20 GB, which you should be able to get for $70 or so, and you've got 20GB of room to work with. I like your choices of 'desert island plugins', but 512 KB isn't going to cut it for soundfonts. With 20GB, you could take along the Splendid piano soundfont, NSKit, and some other top drawer sf2. I like the idea, posting here to watch the thread.

-Scott

[Trojan Badger]

How about this?

http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/20 ... o-150.html

Normally I consider Linux to be a system for bearded conspiracy theorists, but this might do it for you. Plus they mention USB keys here - not sure quite in what context, but it may be bootable...

[pHz]

well ... i was intrigued ...

... ive just had massiva (energyXTs grandaddy) running fine off a USB stick ... so it IS possible ...

slainte rob