Surface Pro for running - Sampletank, Pianoteq etc etc

[keys_au1]

just wondering what the experts here reckon about using a MS Surface Pro, probs a 7 or 8, for running a hosting app (this is for live gigs NOT necessarily audio production) that will have Sampletank 4, Pianoteq and other VSTi synths, including a couple from KVR.

Tossing up between getting a MODX 6 M to go with the Keylab Essential controller, but thought a PC based touch screen device might cover more bases so to speak.

[keys_au1]

no-one?

[mothra]

I'd rather get a cheap laptop. Someone at work a couple years back decided we could all get by with Surface Pro 7s and took all our laptops away. Needless to say, I just got a brand new Lenovo Thinkpad about 6 months ago and the rest of the team is now getting them as well because the Surfaces just cant cut it for even web-based work heh.

[jojoB3]

just wondering what the experts here reckon about using a MS Surface Pro, probs a 7 or 8, for running a hosting app (this is for live gigs NOT necessarily audio production) that will have Sampletank 4, Pianoteq and other VSTi synths, including a couple from KVR.

Tossing up between getting a MODX 6 M to go with the Keylab Essential controller, but thought a PC based touch screen device might cover more bases so to speak.

Yeah you can get the listed to run. I've run more demanding VI on a Surface Pro 3 i7.
Use a decent audio interface, one with quality drivers (no that doesn't mean pricey. Even Behringers UMC line will do the job)
You need to know how to streamline your system/OS (lots of info out there for the OS you have)

You can get into a more powerful laptop for less though.

[keys_au1]

just wondering what the experts here reckon about using a MS Surface Pro, probs a 7 or 8, for running a hosting app (this is for live gigs NOT necessarily audio production) that will have Sampletank 4, Pianoteq and other VSTi synths, including a couple from KVR.

Tossing up between getting a MODX 6 M to go with the Keylab Essential controller, but thought a PC based touch screen device might cover more bases so to speak.

Yeah you can get the listed to run. I've run more demanding VI on a Surface Pro 3 i7.
Use a decent audio interface, one with quality drivers (no that doesn't mean pricey. Even Behringers UMC line will do the job)
You need to know how to streamline your system/OS (lots of info out there for the OS you have)

You can get into a more powerful laptop for less though.

Cool, thanks much.
Form factor of a laptop IS the factor haha! Will be using for gigs and it also doubles as a chart read on a iPad holder on the keys stand.

[moss]

Molten Music is the expert on the topic:

[keys_au1]

Molten Music is the expert on the topic:

Thanks but this is an 8 ( I did note that in the OP) nice link though!

[moss]

Molten Music is the expert on the topic:

Thanks but this is an 8 ( I did note that in the OP) nice link though!

The link is a playlist. It contains all kind of models (incl. .

[keys_au1]

Molten Music is the expert on the topic:

Thanks but this is an 8 ( I did note that in the OP) nice link though!

The link is a playlist. It contains all kind of models (incl. .

[IBarch]

Been using a Surface Pro for a keyboard rig and for home studio use since 2021. It has been a solid performer to date. No DPC latency issues, no ASIO driver problems, no breaking Windows updates (but the past doesn't guarantee anything about future Microsoft updates). It has given 5 years of flawless performance - not sure I can say the same about my playing.

I would recommend my spec as a minimum. an 11th gen i7 with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. That means Surface Pro 7+ or later. Stay Intel, avoid ARM. It has a microSD card slot and SSD from the 7+ onwards can be easily upgraded. External drives are a Mac thing.

I use Steinberg VST Live as a host. I'm running VSTs from Omnisphere, Keyscape, Zenology Pro, Arturia, GForce, Halion. It comfortably is handling 8 plus parts simultaneously. It will do more, but I don't tend to bukd patches beyond 8 splits and layers.

At home I'm using it with Ableton Live. It can track 16 tracks of stereo audio and 16 tracks of midi simultaneously from my Fantom 08, over USB. I've started dabbling with East West Hollywood orchestra and its usable for that, although I'm freezing tracks frequently. For standard band tracking it handles that easily.

A tablet device is far superior to a laptop of ease of use when gigging. Having a full OS that runs all my top tier VSTs on the tablet beats buying a different set of limited apps for an iPad every time. With refurbished Surface Pro 7+\8 devices going for under £500, I'd highly recommend it. Performance does have a ceiling but is more than good enough as long as you arnt expecting to run insane track counts or dozens of FX plugins. Only caveat, it will have to stay plugged in. Microsoft destroyed performance levels on battery with a firmware update that locked in too aggressive processor throttling.

[keys_au1]

Been using a Surface Pro for a keyboard rig and for home studio use since 2021. It has been a solid performer to date. No DPC latency issues, no ASIO driver problems, no breaking Windows updates (but the past doesn't guarantee anything about future Microsoft updates). It has given 5 years of flawless performance - not sure I can say the same about my playing.

I would recommend my spec as a minimum. an 11th gen i7 with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. That means Surface Pro 7+ or later. Stay Intel, avoid ARM. It has a microSD card slot and SSD from the 7+ onwards can be easily upgraded. External drives are a Mac thing.

I use Steinberg VST Live as a host. I'm running VSTs from Omnisphere, Keyscape, Zenology Pro, Arturia, GForce, Halion. It comfortably is handling 8 plus parts simultaneously. It will do more, but I don't tend to bukd patches beyond 8 splits and layers.

At home I'm using it with Ableton Live. It can track 16 tracks of stereo audio and 16 tracks of midi simultaneously from my Fantom 08, over USB. I've started dabbling with East West Hollywood orchestra and its usable for that, although I'm freezing tracks frequently. For standard band tracking it handles that easily.

A tablet device is far superior to a laptop of ease of use when gigging. Having a full OS that runs all my top tier VSTs on the tablet beats buying a different set of limited apps for an iPad every time. With refurbished Surface Pro 7+\8 devices going for under £500, I'd highly recommend it. Performance does have a ceiling but is more than good enough as long as you arnt expecting to run insane track counts or dozens of FX plugins. Only caveat, it will have to stay plugged in. Microsoft destroyed performance levels on battery with a firmware update that locked in too aggressive processor throttling.

Thanks heaps for that detailed reply!
If I may ask assistance with this...
I am getting many random pops and crackles. I have tried both WASAPI and external audio interfaces using ASIO. Have tried ASIO4ALL....makes no difference. Tried even 512 no difference. Mine is the Pro 8 with I7 3ghz, 16 ram.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[BertKoor]

I am getting many random pops and crackles.
[...]
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Same as with any Windows computer, run the LatencyMon by Resplendence, and study the report.
https://resplendence.com/latencymon

[keys_au1]

I am getting many random pops and crackles.
[...]
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Same as with any Windows computer, run the LatencyMon by Resplendence, and study the report.
https://resplendence.com/latencymon

thank you. Will Try that

[jens]

Any thoughts or suggestions?

First thing I'd try is disabling the Dolby Atmos service and stuff like that...

[jojoB3]

Thanks heaps for that detailed reply!
If I may ask assistance with this...
I am getting many random pops and crackles. I have tried both WASAPI and external audio interfaces using ASIO. Have tried ASIO4ALL....makes no difference. Tried even 512 no difference. Mine is the Pro 8 with I7 3ghz, 16 ram.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

You likely have a lot of things going on to streamline still especially when using the Surface Pro devices.

- Many suggest staying Windows 10 for a while longer, perhaps even until well into Win 12+.
Still that requires streamlining the W10 OS for production (cut out any and all BS/bloat).

- remove plugins you simply will never use
- Use interfaces with known, well coded drivers (instead of ASIO4ALL, etc)
- Plot and plan your USB bus controllers and setup.
* Interesting note: those with older yet decent Firewire devices might want to reconsider dumping them as FireWire uses (streaming, bi-directional) data transfers via its own chipset that can ease the processing burden. Some of these older FW devices have mediocre pres though which is a factor.
** Of course (quality/modern) USB-3+ interfaces out today can be setup to work well (if their dev team cares that is so choose wisely).
- Multiple SSDs and daw setup care is necessary. Have an OS and apps drive, a temp/render drive, and additional drives to meet storage needs.
This is asking a lot of the Surface Pro USB controller. Do consider a Surface Pro hub.

- If Win 11 already here's a decent guide to streamlining your system.