64bit apps

[MD69]

Hi S4L,

This is an oversimplified view of memory addressing, but it give you a part of the problem. This explanation doesn't take into account the virtual memory management. Globally you can think a program is tied to 32bits adressing (it cannot access a memory cell which is farther than 4G due to 32 bit program register limitation), but this is true for the program .... not the computer. You could have several programs having access to 4Gb of separate memory areas. So if you think EXS24 as a program implementing a monotimbral sampler, you could have several instances having each 4Gb of separate memories .... So reallity is, limitations lies in the OS implementation of the virtual memory management which use (in Intel case) the MMU inside the Chipset (AMD have the MMU - Memory Management Unit inside the processor).
Depending on the chipset AND how it is used by the mainboard manufacturer,
the OS can access 4Gb...or more.

cheers

Michel

(and this is still a simplified view!)

[dawman]

Thanks for the info, I am grateful.

[hubird]

so...you stay where you were, S4L...32 bit XP?
if so, i take back my 'monster' qualification

[wolf]

Please tell me about your rig, you might save me an unnecessary amount of money spent.
I believe it is a Mac O.S. w/ the Intel CPU's only.........................................................
http://www.tascam.com/details;8,7,1055.html

I don't know if GS is capable of addressing >4GB on a Mac.
I'm using Logic8's EXS24 on a quad core (ppc&intel) and octa core (intel only), OSX 10.4 & now partly OSX 10.5.1.

Here was an explanation that made some sense to me, but if Logic's EX24 sampler can address more than 4GB's or RAM, I am once again confused.

EXS24 can address as much RAM as is installed and availalabe (=not used by other apps). Michels explanation goes in the correct direction (beside it's also possible with the "older" ppc cpus).

I do not like the way that I am being thrown into this, but when I have to start using a new app. where it's designed to run w/ Vista 32 / 64, or XP 32 / 64 or Mac OSX, things start getting confusing. I finally got a grip w/ Scope and now all of this shit's happening.

yeah, the world is turning .. hehe

To follow up to Gary: Don't let yourself confuse by options, which might be possible somewhen in the future. Concentrate on what is available now.
Also I wouldn't switch to another system without some safety belt, i.e. keeping a running system, which you're confident with.

Jimmy, try to get a picture of how many instruments you are planning to use, add a fair amount on top of it. Then you can estimate how much RAM you will use/need and therefor the hardware needs. Then compare prices & convinience and there you go.

One last word to the switch 32bit to 64bit:

Now, most commercial vendors will simply not do it because it takes lots of efforts and it's rarely justified (economically speaking), unless developing products such as database or application servers...
It's simpler and cheaper to overcome this by using native 64 bit kernel memory addressing.

No, it's not, sorry.
Implementing the >4GB thingie into Logic8 took 4 weeks of one manpower. Rewriting (again) the whole codebase of Logic will at least take a year with a manpower of 70 guys. Going 64bit is not simply a switch in the compiler.

[dawman]

Thanks Wolf,

My dual DAW approach is more sensible.

This is what I use to use, and I could load tons of libraries. I am leaning towards the VSTi's now that I have heard some in use, and hear no difference in quality of the audio, versus the sampler apps. A local guy here uses the Broadway Big Band VSTi on a Mac, and it sounds amazingly realistic. But his whole DAW is used for that instrument only. I don't do many Nelson Riddle arrangements anyway, Elvis and Rat Pack were cool, but I love FAT BASTARDS, and Classic Rock better.

The last 2 years have convinced me that this is a better approach. Libraries made for Giga can still be used, and the VSTi's will fill in the holes.

I am happy w/ DSP and hardware analog based synths over VSTi synths still. However I heard and demo'd the VSTi synths that Sonar has and the sound is getting closer, but still no cigars. I am confident that Bowens Solaris in hardware w/ 16 voices will rule supreme. But VSTi developers have so much power to play with these days. Maybe in 2008 someone will release some decent sounding VSTi emulations of analog synths. But I have what I need, and have no desire to audition anymore of those. I do look forward to new synthesis techniques which hardware, and Scope cannot achieve.


Octa Core !!?? You are very sick my friend. But I love it so.

[garyb]

well vsti's of that sort are not sound generators, they are sample players with nice interfaces. the trick is in the library and how it's implemented. i would expect a vsti rompler to sound as good as giga and vice-versa depending on the library....