yeah i now i will probably at some point stop with this [Definitive] thread series
Please don’t post optimization advises if you don’t know what you’re doing… (it can be worst sometime) I’m a graphic designer, i have assembled PC computers for years, i’m on MAC since my studies in Graphic Design. I’m not a developer except for website so my knowledge in coding stick to web languages. Bios setup, Compatibily issues and get a working system. I don’t care of fixing software, registry… i do not care anymore at least. So that’s my way of thinking “Computer” now.
General Computing Advice
- If possible try to have a computer dedicated for Audio
[without the use of network on this one, if only one device try to use a tablet for browsing, email etc… and keep your music computer mostly WIFI-RJ45 OFF] - Get an external hard drive for Audio Libraries and useful audio stuff
- Get an external hard drive for important file storage. Try to Never save anything on your system hard drive
- Move, relocate, or symlink Every User location relative to music production or software
- Always make an image disk of a clean install + system updates + only software you absolutely “need” or “use” and only original (bought things) no warez stuff on the clean initial state !!!) that’s your Backup ! Put it safely stored on at least 2 external hard Drive (You can make a clean install of your computer and start to apply this advices now… take 2 days OFF and write everything you do on a piece of paper)
I recommend to buy important stuff and things you use a lot. At least Operating System, Daw and your absolute VST list the one you always need or launch at any time.
Install your operating system (if windows then a antivirus and a firewall at least if you can connect to network after installed those protections), make system updates, install your DAW, install restrictive list of system tools (zip, rar, backup software Acronis do good backup software and on mac Superduper, Carbon Copy Cloner… Data Backup), install restrictive list of audio tools (audio editor, batch software if needed … sample convertor if needed…), install rectrictive list of VST instruments and effects, Uninstall the good way antivirus and firewall, MAKE your BACKUP (don’t install in your clean state every hardware drivers because they always be updated in time and it’s better to install once these things so do that after your image disk)
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Start to cleaning/optimizing things after the first image disk / backup. Doesn’t became the computer psychopath-maniac only the one who think nicely, the one who can recover things because he had prepared himself to the computer drama (trust me it’s always happening at some point)
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Learn to be “Organized”, keep things cleaned, named, well structured. Always have in mind that binary can be corrupted so try to save as much as possible (save twice and keep those backup updated), try to save midi files, presets, recordings-samples, groove, refill, … PER PROJECT)
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Track background tasks and LIMIT THEM. Banish every system optimizer !!! (you have your clean initial state image disk (Backup) trust me you’re SAFE… the most you can actually do is only that part. (essential one)
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Limit network connectivity on your audio computer (sorry i repeat but it’s important. AVOID every distraction ? yes ! network is a HUGE one anyway…
PC Relative Computing Advice
If you not used your PC to Network, Browsing … no need of antivirus and firewall. “Plus”, you have your backup you can restore it at any point ! the moment you apply what i said earlier : you never save things on your system drive… and you relocate user relative data on an external drive so everything important is on external drives (data or audio).
Install always the last drivers for your device and hardware
Use the best buffer size according to your system
Any energy saving option should be deactivated or set to “none”.
Programs that are running in background can cause issues (limit them)
Bonus :
MAC Relative Computing Advice
Disable Energy Saver
Turn Off Wi-Fi
Disable FireWire Networking,
Disable FileVault Protection
Disable Automatic Updates
Disable App Nap (right click on app… DAW or other software that processes audio or control changes) and check the corresponding box.
Disable Spotlight Indexing for audio disk (reserved for record) ProTools user (Don’t do that one)
Repair Disk Permissions & Maintenance tasks (sometimes with ONYX or something)
Activate Journaling for Your Audio Drives
Install always the last drivers for your device and hardware
Use the best buffer size according to your system
Programs that are running in background can cause issues (limit them)
Bonus :