Master slave configuration for PCs

[vignesh.vijay]

I am a little confused with all the responses here.
In a nutshell, Is it worth to do a master-slave configuration? Is there any significant benefit over using a normal PC build? Or is it just an overkill?

[BertKoor]

I think the info/opinions you asked for has been given, and I understand it's tough for you to make a decision. But the good news is: you don't have to make any decision.

If your current PC cannot handle the load of your average project, then it is an option to buy a relatively simple/cheap extra machine to spread the load.

But as I understand it, you're going to get a replacement for your ca 10 years old PC anyway. While it's certain that a brand new PC will be more powerful than a 10 years old machine, it is uncertain where exactly its limits will be and how long it will take before also that PC will struggle with your projects - again. Producers have the tendency to use all power available, and don't do simple things anymore which makes work easier on the PC once there is more power available.

My advice: get that new PC but don't retire the old one yet. It has enough juice in it to act as a servant, in case you want/need that in two years.

[vignesh.vijay]

I think the info/opinions you asked for has been given, and I understand it's tough for you to make a decision. But the good news is: you don't have to make any decision.

If your current PC cannot handle the load of your average project, then it is an option to buy a relatively simple/cheap extra machine to spread the load.

But as I understand it, you're going to get a replacement for your ca 10 years old PC anyway. While it's certain that a brand new PC will be more powerful than a 10 years old machine, it is uncertain where exactly its limits will be and how long it will take before also that PC will struggle with your projects - again. Producers have the tendency to use all power available, and don't do simple things anymore which makes work easier on the PC once there is more power available.

My advice: get that new PC but don't retire the old one yet. It has enough juice in it to act as a servant, in case you want/need that in two years.

cool, makes sense.
And true, selling my old pc would be worth for peanuts. So better to consider it as a slave option in the future since Haswell E 5960x is a pretty good processor still.
Would you recommend VE pro or the other ones folks are suggesting here?
And I don't follow the logistics issue here. Isn't it going to be a one time set up and done thing?

[audiojunkie]

I am a little confused with all the responses here.
In a nutshell, Is it worth to do a master-slave configuration? Is there any significant benefit over using a normal PC build? Or is it just an overkill?

As you can see, it will depend on who you talk to--and that is because it is an issue of preference--what do YOU prefer? If you don't mind Server/Client setups, then it will work fine for you. If you don't like Server/Client setups, then it probably won't be something you want to do. It all depends upon your personal preference. There is no wrong answer if you are happy with how you do things.

The benefit of using a Server/Client setup over using a normal PC is Scalability. A Server/Client setup will always have the benefit of potentially being more powerful. The most powerful production system will never be as powerful as two of the most powerful production systems working together as Server/Client. The downside is that it is a bit more difficult to set up and use.

Likewise, the benefit of using a single powerful computer is that it is easier, and in the case of a laptop, more mobile. However, you are stuck with the power available in the single computer. There is no distribution of power.

The thing you have to ask yourself, is do you NEED more power than what will be provided with a single powerful computer? If the answer is No, then there is no need for a Server/Client setup. However, if you will end up needing more power than a single powerful computer can provide, then Server/Client is for you.

In your particular case, you want to buy a new computer, and not waste the usage of your existing computer. You will need to ask yourself if you need the power that a Server/Client setup would provide. If yes, then use Server/Client. If no, then use your old computer for other, lighter duty purposes.

I think that's about as clear as I can explain it. I hope this helps!

[audiojunkie]

I think the info/opinions you asked for has been given, and I understand it's tough for you to make a decision. But the good news is: you don't have to make any decision.

If your current PC cannot handle the load of your average project, then it is an option to buy a relatively simple/cheap extra machine to spread the load.

But as I understand it, you're going to get a replacement for your ca 10 years old PC anyway. While it's certain that a brand new PC will be more powerful than a 10 years old machine, it is uncertain where exactly its limits will be and how long it will take before also that PC will struggle with your projects - again. Producers have the tendency to use all power available, and don't do simple things anymore which makes work easier on the PC once there is more power available.

My advice: get that new PC but don't retire the old one yet. It has enough juice in it to act as a servant, in case you want/need that in two years.

cool, makes sense.
And true, selling my old pc would be worth for peanuts. So better to consider it as a slave option in the future since Haswell E 5960x is a pretty good processor still.
Would you recommend VE pro or the other ones folks are suggesting here?
And I don't follow the logistics issue here. Isn't it going to be a one time set up and done thing?

VePro, Audiogridder, Patchwork/connector, etc... There's not really a wrong answer. It depends on what you like best and want to use. Just remember that if you are going the Server/Client route, you will need a gigabit switch (unmanaged is best), and each computer will need a gigabit ethernet adapter.

[elassi]

I have a spare PC, too, and asked myself the same question some time ago. I came to the conclusion to stay away from the client/server thingie due to two main reasons:

- hassle of operation like Jim said (always need to start and shut down two PCs, run two monitors or use a switch that I'd have to buy, in some cases update plugins twice when running on both machines, general maintenance tasks doubled, etc.)
- energy waste(!)

I still have the old PC and run some Blender rendering tasks on it every now and then. But most of the time it's switched off. Maybe I need it one day, maybe not.

[barza]

I run a main DAW running Cubase and then 3 slave PC's. One slave PC has all my synths/guitar vsts, one has drums, another has orchestral libraries. Every one of the plugins I own has a disabled channel in my template in my main DAW. When I want to use that vst I enable the channel in my template, enable it on the slave (where it has been preloaded in VE Pro), and it is ready to go and patched in my mixer where I want it to go.

I use VE pro to do all this and it works seamlessly. But there is a cost for the software on a per pc basis. I have experimented with the cheaper options and not found them to be as reliable, but they are fine for occasional use.

There is an "overhead" of cost in terms of keeping the windows OS up to date and functioning well on all 4 pcs. It is not quite a one and done as you have to keep windows and VE pro updated on the slaves as well as the master.

You do not absolutely need a monitor for each PC as you can log in to each one remotely from the main DAW PC. I actually have 5 monitors running from my main DAW PC, and remotely log in to each Slave from the DAW PC.

Is all the above necessary? I have a big library of plug ins and the above allows me access to all of them. Would I be more productive if I limited my choices to the best of each, quite possibly.

If you cant come up with a specific reason why you need a master/slave set up, I wouldn't advise you to go for one at the outset. If you find yourself running out of CPU or think you would like to organise some stuff on a separate PC then you can do that as your use case becomes more crystallised.

[vignesh.vijay]

Thanks a ton, The main reason I might consider a client- server or master-slave set up is to load up or have it handy all my orchestral tracks and plugins when working with films and focus mainly on composing only. (just to make the workflow tad faster)
So should the slave pc be the more powerful pc than the master pc?

[barza]

If I understand you correctly the slave PC is going to store your orchestral libraries and then load up lots of instances of Kontakt (or similar) so these are available for your master PC. The slave PC needs storage and RAM more than it needs CPU if this is all sample based. Your main PC running the DAW would likely do audio processing/synths which are more CPU intensive. So you want most of your CPU and audio processing power in the main PC.