From mskremote@yahoo.com Thu May 17 18:21:58 2012
Subject:Re: Optimizing a Windows Laptop for VST use

Checklist of things to do to optimize a Windows laptop for VST hosting - AND make it as reliable as is possible

1,    Start with a laptop with adequate hardware resources e,g. min 2gig ram (preferably 4) and at least dual core INTEL processor,
2.    Fast hardrive (7200) keep the hardrive size at max 500meg as there are known issues amongst data recovery specialists with drives larger than 500meg (SSD is recommended but pricey - these will come down over the next 12 months as sales of pads with SSD increase)
3.    Use Win7 32 (64 is better but the first gen Intel i7 Sandybridge 64 chips were buggy)and there are many older but good VST's that have not yet been ported to 64 bit and there are still questions around 64's support of 32 bit apps.
4.    Use an external sound processor e.g. M Audio Fastrack - better ASIO driver. lower latency and you overcome the issue of a 1/8th stereo plug pulling out of the laptop as you then connect the audio out via rca plugs from the the external processor. (USB 2 is fine, 3 preferred to take advantage of future hardware options that will support it) and also make sure it has at least 4 USB ports (the first port will be used by the mouse if you use one, the 2nd by the USB midi controller, the 3rd by an external audio processor and the 4th for a USB stick to load pre-tested and scanned VST's and other files and software as required)  

5.    Have Anti-virus and firewall installed (ZoneAlarm is free) - block all traffic on the firewall, and turn wireless and blue tooth off.  Enable wireless and Win updates manually let the updates run at home and with enough time to reboot several times thereafter to make sure all updates are in and everything is working fine. (as an example in Feb 2012 a Win XP update disabled autorun from all devices except the CD/DVD drive as a security measure as there was a trojan around that installed itself from infected USB sticks using the autorun feature. Until I found out what was going on a wireless broadand USB device I use would not work as it "autoran" each time it was connected. I found a work around on the MS site and all was well again and it did not affect my music laptop but restarting several times after updates takes a couple of minutes and eliminates the possibility of any part installed updates taking you by surpriose later)     

6.    Set power scheme to "always on"
7.    Only load software that you need to gig live - nothing else and do not use the laptop for internet browsing, emails etc.

8.    Make sure the battery is good and fully charged then you play on for between 20 to 60 mins during a brown out - just you through your laptop speakers and the drummer - nice.

________________________________
From: keysmcgee
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 7:03 AM
Subject: [CWSG] Optimizing a Windows Laptop for VST use


 
Can anybody provide a ? Maybe such a resource exists already. There are probably lots of settings that should be fiddled with to minimize latency, maximize reliability and response time. Should also blow out all of the non-essential app's, i'd imagine(?)



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