System requiremnets,

[wildey]

HI, I really am new to all this so here goes I want to buy vienna special edition, I have a pc it has an amd dual core version on it, with 2 gb ram, it is a 32 bit system, with bout 100gb left on the harddrive Is the 2gb ram going to be enough or I can easily add another 2 if required Is the 32 bit systemn going to pose problems, CAN I install on my computers harddrive or will I need to buy an external hardrive, If I do need to buy an external harddrive what kind do I need to get and what kind of cable to transfer the messages is going to be enough, Yes, I know very little about computers, my strength is in songwriting, and composing songs, I want to get into this to fully realize the ideas in my head, I guess we are all at different levels of learning here, If anyone could answer these simplistic questions be much appreciated DAve

[nick.halliwell]

Hi Dave,

I'll have to keep this very general as I'm a Mac user but some things apply to all computers. I don't know much about Windows and RAM but generally speaking the more memory the better, especially when working with samples. Can't advise you on 32/64-bit Windows, I'm afraid, but can't imagine 32-bit would be a problem at this level... I think that's more of an issue if you're trying to use really big configurations with much larger amounts of RAM than you're talking about. 

As far as hard drives are concerned, the best configuration is to have separate internal HDs. My Mac currently has 3 SATA drives, one for all the system stuff and software, another for all my audio files and a third containing all my VSL stuff. I do have a lot of VSL libraries, though. I have in the past also worked with my samples on an external HD and it works fine, it's just that you won't squeeze the last drop of performance out of the computer, that's all. But for starting off with the SE you'll probably be fine (although don't tell any of the boffins I said that). Basically, if you're opening up your computer to add a couple of sticks of RAM, why not add one or two internal HDs as well? They're cheaper than external ones too...

If you do go for an external then it'll probably be USB2 and the cable should come with it. If not then it'll be a standard USB2 cable connecting it to your computer. But seriously, unless you specifically need a portable HD for some reason, I'd advise putting the SE onto an internal HD but preferably not the one on which you've got your system files. You could probably get away with having 2 HDs, one for WIndows and your software and another for audio files and sample but HDs (especially internal ones) are now so cheap and most modern machines allow you to have at least 3 or 4 internally so I'd recommend having a dedicated HD for your samples. It'll also give you some room to expand in the future.

Hope that helps a bit.

Nick

[wildey]

HI thanks, thats a great answer, yes my computer knowledge is that limited I didn't know this was an option, yes that sounds like a great idea, especially if it works out cheaper!, i.e. internal harddrive The only reason I would need an external hardrive I imagine then is that, I envision eventually also getting a laptop, would it be better longterm to get an ext harddrive so that I can just transfer the sample library between the laptop and the pc, or if the laptop has a big enough hardrive can I partition the harddrive and just install the software in there too on the laptop that is, ??? I would need vsl for stage use I just thinking longer term etc, but really the nmore money I save I can then put towards special edition plus etc, yeah the 32 bit 64 bit part worries me though, everything I see on here is in relation to 64 bit, i don't understand the limits etc, I know I can't use as much ram etc, Dave

[nick.halliwell]

Hi again Dave,

I'd still recommend going down the internal HD route if you can. But there's nothing to stop you getting an external HD as well when you do get a laptop, they're now so much cheaper than even a couple of years ago. I do actually have some of my VI samples on an external as well for those rare occasions when I need to go away to a studio other than my own. The VSL library is copy-protected using the Vienna Key (i.e. a dongle) which means you can install the samples and software on as many computers as you like but the whole thing will only run when the Key is plugged in (i.e. on one machine at once). So that wouldn't be a problem. You could have everything installed on both your desktop and your laptop, and then you simply plug the Key into a USB port on whichever one you're using at any given time. Obviously if you plan to take your laptop out gigging you should make sure your insurance covers everything, including loss of the Key (a little thing 2 inches by 0.5 which can contain licences worth thousands is an obvious and easy target) but that applies to most software/samples nowadays.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 32/64-bit issue for now if I were you. I don't know how much RAM 32-bit Windows can address but I'm sure it'll be enough for the purposes of the SE. The main early adopters of 64-bit are people running things like the Symphonic Cube (usually on multiple computers using VE3 or something) who want to load up a whole orchestra with a huge range of articulations all at once. There probably wouldn't be much point installing 16Gb of RAM or something right now, but I'd've thought any machine would benefit from 4Gb over 2Gb (but as I say, I'm not an expert on this). If you do a search on this forum I'm sure you'll find people who know a lot more than I do and everyone around here's very helpful and friendly, and the same is true of the VSL people themselves.

Nick