Alright Cubase VST/32 is OUT and New Host is in - Which Host

[dlt123]

Hello everyone, I'm asking for your opinions on a new Host. I did some research on this topic, but only found some specific application requests, which is what I guess I'm asking.

I want a novice to professional caliber system and plan on only using VST plugins, no hardware synths. I've sold all my hardware synths and bought VST plugins.

I've had nothing but problems with Cubase VST/32 V5.1r. I updated to V2 from Steinbergs website, but I still have horrible dropouts. I've tweaked my system, upped the buffers, made sure no background software is running, turned off Window System sounds, and tweaked till I'm red faced...

My system is...

Dell 8500 Desktop
OS: XP Home SP2 installed by Dell
3.0 Mhz with 1 Gig Memory.
160 Gig HD
Echo Gina24 sound card - Updated Drivers
Midex 8 Midi controller - Updated Drivers
Cubase VST/32 V2.0
Vapor VST
Cameleon
Pentagon 1

It's time to look into a more stable Host. I think I'm having SP2 problems and want something that will work on SP2. If I need to get new Midi and Sound Card hardware, I'll do it.

Does anyone have suggestions for a Novice to Professional Host? Any feedback is appreciated.

Please no flames, I've already been burned by Cubase.

Thanks in advance,
DennisT

[daverich]

hmm.

Well - i'd be looking at your hardware before blaming cubase.

I'm a sonar user, but cubase should be able to work fine on your system. I notice you say it's a dell - bad move - but there you go.

Any irq sharing going on?

also, pentagon has some documented bugs which are denormal related so that might be causing you grief also.

There's no reason why if your computer isn't working now that it would work with another host.

Make sure all your onboard soundcards/midi ports etc are disabled - take out that midex too see if that helps.

Kind regards

Dave Rich.

[cptgone]

SX 1 and 2 are much more stable then VST. SX hardly ever crashes on my new, self assembled DAW, whereas I had lots of weird problems on my old PC (bought in a supermarket)

[danielmm]

Well - i'd be looking at your hardware before blaming cubase.

This is probably your issue here...but Cubase SX is a much more stable host than any of the older versions.

Also, if you are using samplers that do not use streaming from disk with large audio files...that may cause drop outs.

Also, program files on one hard drive, audio files on another or partition your exsisting hard drive.

Also, the way you use effects in your host may be bogging your system down.

Also, if are you running antivirus software or use your machine for internet.

Anyway, many of these things you may have already thought about, because on paper you seem to have a fast enough machine.

dano

[Scotrick]

and, I'd try downloading the demo of tracktion, is that how you spell it? and also... what else forum folks? uh, you should look into Cubase SE/SL in addition to Cubase SX, as the cheaper packages offer nearly all of the same functionality... that said, I use Cubase SX and VST/32 and I've not had ANY real problems with VST/32... certainly not anything like you're describing, and I worry that you'll buy a new host and still have problems... there's a demo for SX 1 up on the Steinberg/Pinnacle site, and even though it's old now, you might still get some idea of its stability on your computer...

is there a demo for Cakewalk products? They have lots of cheaper packages that would work well, though perhaps if you're mainly after VSTi, you might want to stick with Steinberg...

Oh, and I too only run VSTi synths, my only hardware synth is an Alesis QS 8.1, not exactly an exciting synth monster...

so I can stay, to repeat myself, that on my system, VST/32 works with Vanguard, Albino 2, Pro-53, B4, and several free synths, like from Concrete FX, what's their new distortion synth? anyway, I hope you get sorted...

[Amberience]

See my signature for two of the best solutions (my opinion)

[dlt123]

Hello again. First I want to thank everyone who posted help for my question. I did more research on other sites and the Cubase site and came up with some of the same recommendations you did.

I kept reading that Hyper Threading should be shut off and so I went into the BIOS and turned it off, that did the trick.

Before shutting off HT, I was pegging my CPU usage at 100% just playing a chord. After shutting off HT, my CPU usage is around 9-15%.

So, if others are having similar problems I had, try shutting off HT.

Thanks again for helping out, you were right, it was a hardware problem. Good ideas everyone.

Also, I checked with Steinberg about upgrading cost from VST/32 to SL3 and it's $249. I still might upgrade, but will stay with VST/32 for awhile.

Thanks again,
DennisT

[bluedad]

Also, I checked with Steinberg about upgrading cost from VST/32 to SL3 and it's $249. I still might upgrade, but will stay with VST/32 for awhile.

Thanks again,
DennisT

I upgraded to SX2 from vst 5.1 back in july just because I thought the upgrade price was reasonable and was afraid it was about to be cut off.
that being said -
I loved vst 5.1 so much, one day while traffic was stopped on the interstate I contentedly sighed and thought, "I love cubase"


glad you got your problems sorted out.

[kritikon]

I thought you were into Sonar nowadays? Or was that someone else

I still miss VST5.1 - SX2.2 is certainly alot more stable ( I haven't had a single crash or lockup yet...and I can do things now that would normally lock up VST5.1). And SX sounds better to my ears...just a little bit more definition and less flab at the bottom end. But I still prefer VST's workflow and GUI - SX is just too cluttered, even after I've customised it, and way too many mouse clicks to get anything done in audio quickly...but again, it does so much more with audio now. I was always on the verge of buying a separate audio editor with VST5.1, but with SX I just don't need one.

What I want, what I really really want, is SX glued onto VST5.1's GUI.

[Montana]

Tracktion.

Im dumping Cubase for it and couldn't be happier.