Windows versions

[Electric_Andy]

I am going to buy a PC soley to use Reaper recording software.

The Reaper website says:

"Supported operating systems
Windows: XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 (32 or 64-bit, Intel/AMD only)"

There are some PCs on sale with older versions of Windows on; given that I won't be using it for anything else, are there any pros or cons to using any older versions of windows? I know they won't be supported with updates etc, but if I have antivirus etc going, should that be ok? Part of me thinks that older versions of windows are simpler and less bloated, and I've heard that they are less invasive because you are no longer promted to upgrade. Is this true?

 

[MontyVeda]

if you're only using it for recording, will it even need to be connected to the interweb?

 

[Seevio]

If its not connected to anything else on your network it should be fine. The only thing to look out for is making sure there are drivers available for your audio interface if needed.

 

[markemark]

Anything less than W11 won't be supported from Oct. That means no security updates. I use Reaper a lot and there's huge amount of downloads for VSTs, drivers, libraries etc. Should that be the case then I'd be extremely wary of W10 or less once the security updates cease. Some PCs running W10 can be upgraded to W11 but not all. Antivirus tries to stop attacks. Security updates patches the vulnerabilities so they can't happen,

 

[Electric_Andy]

Anything less than W11 won't be supported from Oct. That means no security updates. I use Reaper a lot and there's huge amount of downloads for VSTs etc, Should that be the case then I'd be wary of W10 or less once the security updates cease. Some PCs running W10 can be upgraded to W11 but not all.

ok thanks, I haven't used Reaper for 6 years so I forgot if I needed internets at all. In that case I shall get a machine with Win 11.

Out of interest - if I bought a machine with for example Win 8 or 10 installed, is there still an option to upgrade versions for free?

 

[Electric_Andy]

if you're only using it for recording, will it even need to be connected to the interweb?

I thought not, but have just been reminded that other plugins etc from 3rd parties will require me to have internets

 

[markemark]

ok thanks, I haven't used Reaper for 6 years so I forgot if I needed internets at all. In that case I shall get a machine with Win 11.

Out of interest - if I bought a machine with for example Win 8 or 10 installed, is there still an option to upgrade versions for free?

Yes the upgrade is free but only certain spec PCs can upgrade. There's free utilities to check but you'd need to be on the device to do so. Those than cannot be upgraded tend to be because of the processor so you could do your research and try and figure it out.

 

[markemark]

More than this, if you're going for it with numerous VST, Kontakt, libraries etc, it really is worth while investing in a high spec PC as it can really burn through your processor and you'll end up with latency, popping, crashes etc. As above a good audio interface is worth the money as the sound cards in PCs are generally rubbish

 

[Electric_Andy]

More than this, if you're going for it with numerous VST, Kontakt, libraries etc, it really is worth while investing in a high spec PC as it can really burn through your processor and you'll end up with latency, popping, crashes etc. As above a good audio interface is worth the money as the sound cards in PCs are generally rubbish

ok thanks. I was thinking Intel core i3, 8gb RAM, which I've seen used on the bay for <=£100. But I will take your word for it that I probably need something better. The last time I ran it was on a Intel Celeron, 2GBRAM and it worked perfectly, but I didn't know enough to use it to it's full load

 

[markemark]

ok thanks. I was thinking Intel core i3, 8gb RAM, which I've seen used on the bay for <=£100. But I will take your word for it that I probably need something better. The last time I ran it was on a Intel Celeron, 2GBRAM and it worked perfectly, but I didn't know enough to use it to it's full load

Different VST's and libraries take different amount on resources. The bigger they are and the more you use in a song, the more they'll eat. So it depends on what you want to do and how bothered you are. But I'd start high if you can afford it as it'll be cheaper in the long run. But then I say that about bikes, buy expensive if you can...ymmv

 

[Electric_Andy]

I'd start high if you can afford it

Haha, I can't. I'm trying to do it as much on the cheap as I can, and then if I really get into it then I can upgrade as time gpes on. The max I'll want to do at the moment is to record one track at a time (guitar x 2, bass, vocals) and then import some sort of drum kits. I'll add basic fx to the guitar but that's about it, I don't want studio quality (yet) I just want to record some songs that I have written in the last 30 years and feel some sense of completion/achievement. I have joined a home recording forum and the reaper forum so hopefully I will get on ok

 

[markemark]

Ah, if you're mainly recording then it should be fine. I use it a lot with VSTs (sounds library instruments) and they eat power. The recoding isn't the issue but the playback especially if putting through filters etc and multiple tracks. Drum kits are generally small. https://www.powerdrumkit.com/ is an excellent free one BWT.

Then you'll be fine with a cheaper PC but I'd focus on security still. But buy an audio interface.

 

[si_c]

Ah, if you're mainly recording then it should be fine. I use it a lot with VSTs (sounds library instruments) and they eat power. The recoding isn't the issue but the playback especially if putting through filters etc and multiple tracks. Drum kits are generally small. https://www.powerdrumkit.com/ is an excellent free one BWT.

Then you'll be fine with a cheaper PC but I'd focus on security still. But buy an audio interface.

A lot of audio software is memory intensive and thread heavy - so getting something slightly older with more threads and the ability to add lots of memory could pay off - memory upgrades tend to be reasonably cheap on PC.

I'd be looking for something like a Ryzen 9 3950 and upgrading to minimum 64GB ram, an i3 is likely to be woefully underpowered for music production. What you want to do is keep in mind that if you want to start adding effects or additional tracks such as drums then planning to spend a little more now will pay off. Be cautious when getting something on ebay or other second hand markets, they seem to be flooded with "i7" or "i5" intel computers with 10yo CPUs in but marketed based on processor class not capability.

If you have a budget in mind you can perhaps be more reliaby informed by more knowledgeable users on here.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Ah, if you're mainly recording then it should be fine. I use it a lot with VSTs (sounds library instruments) and they eat power. The recoding isn't the issue but the playback especially if putting through filters etc and multiple tracks. Drum kits are generally small. https://www.powerdrumkit.com/ is an excellent free one BWT.

Then you'll be fine with a cheaper PC but I'd focus on security still. But buy an audio interface.

Thanks for the advice, I had used a Focusrite Scralett solo before so will probably get the same again. There is a cheaper option on Thomann for £47 which has the same bit/sampling rate and has good reviews, I might give that a go as my budget is very tight

 

[Electric_Andy]

I am still hunting ebay for a PC. I was outbid on an all-in-one job (intel core i3 with 8GB RAM) that I bid £60 for and it went for £62....grrrr.
So now I'm looking at mini-midi form PCs which seem to go for about £70. After looking at the other Windows thread, I have decided to get one with Win 11 installed. Seems like loads of PCs are going cheap because they have Win 10 but I want some element of future proofing.

I'm guessing all-in-one PCs do have their limitations i.e. hard to upgrade RAM etc, but I thought at such a cheap price I would exercise some bangernomics and buy something that is not a great financial loss if it goes wrong or becomes obselete in a few years