Why put XITE on a second computer?

[zerocrossing]

So, I keep coming across advice that tells me to dedicate a second computer for the XITE-1/Scope 5 setup. I'm unclear as to what the advantage is for running it on a machine other than my main DAW. I do have an older machine I could dedicate to it, but I'd rather not have a second "space heater" in the room.

[garyb]

the only reason i could think of is that you wanted the sequencer in a 64bit environment and you wanted to use the STS in Scope in a 32bit environment.

well, another reason might be that you were using a Mac and wanted to use Scope synths and mixing and mastering with your material.

thought of a third reason too-
if you wanted to use Scope as a studio and live FX/mixing and/or synth box and didn't want to be tied to one location...

[dante]

So, I keep coming across advice that tells me to dedicate a second computer for the XITE-1/Scope 5 setup. I'm unclear as to what the advantage is for running it on a machine other than my main DAW. I do have an older machine I could dedicate to it, but I'd rather not have a second "space heater" in the room.

What advise tells you that ? You can run both cards and XITE on the one box. There's no technical limitation on that, just you own practical considerations like the ones Gary mentioned.

I am yet to test running 64 bit scope for XITE and 32 bit scope for PCI simultaneously - but it would probably work eg for STS.

[tlaskows]

There's probably no need to have a separate heater for you. I have everything on one PC. No junk on there, just music related stuff. My computer was a mess, had to wipe the whole thing. Even after wiping it and installing Win 7, 40GB of SSD space was gone!

-Tom

[zerocrossing]

So, I keep coming across advice that tells me to dedicate a second computer for the XITE-1/Scope 5 setup. I'm unclear as to what the advantage is for running it on a machine other than my main DAW. I do have an older machine I could dedicate to it, but I'd rather not have a second "space heater" in the room.

What advise tells you that ? You can run both cards and XITE on the one box. There's no technical limitation on that, just you own practical considerations like the ones Gary mentioned.

I am yet to test running 64 bit scope for XITE and 32 bit scope for PCI simultaneously - but it would probably work eg for STS.

I can't remember specifically who said it, but several people here mentioned putting it on a second computer as a good option.

[jksuperstar]

I think most of those references are people that already have SCOPE PCI cards, and then bought an XITE. They found keeping the two systems on separate computers can be helpful (although, as Dante indicates, it's not necessary).

It certainly does not make any sense to put it on a 2nd computer, separate from your DAW.

[zerocrossing]

I think most of those references are people that already have SCOPE PCI cards, and then bought an XITE. They found keeping the two systems on separate computers can be helpful (although, as Dante indicates, it's not necessary).

It certainly does not make any sense to put it on a 2nd computer, separate from your DAW.

Got it. Thanks everyone.

[JoPo]

Now, I've got my Xite-1 on my new pc and 13 dsp via 3 cards on the ancient.

So I kept all my analog inputs in pci card with some insert fx processors and I use them also as aux. busses : I can load 3 master verb pro + 1 SC-plate. That way, the Xite is totaly free of reverb, so I can load a lot lot lot of things in it ! My system is really awesome, now !

Ah yes ! As I'm not a vst alergic, I have Vienna ensemble pro to increase vst possiblities...
So, with an old & a new pc + pci cards + Xite-1, you can have the power I had never dreamed of ! Don't leave your gear even when you believe you don't need it anymore !

Cheers !

[jksuperstar]

Jopo, did you ever grab the modified MasterVerb-X that uses the SDRAM that each DSP has? It uses no SAT connections, and you can load 30+ of them in the XITE-1.

[JoPo]

Sure ! Of course ! I would be nice to have a reverbs like that one !
But the way I do (put reverbs on PCI) let me load an amazing amount of device in xite. I need to keep my PCI's (for analog inputs), so why not use them for that ? Sometimes, I use the PCI's to load Solaris, in that case, reverbs are on Xite !
I like very much the way I use my system, it's so comfortable ! I never need to record audio for saving pc or Scope power during the time I'm working on a project, it's very pleasant !

[robinette]

I am yet to test running 64 bit scope for XITE and 32 bit scope for PCI simultaneously - but it would probably work eg for STS.

Can you do? ... I had not thought of it that way. Very good.

[JoPo]

Can you do? ... I had not thought of it that way. Very good.

Sure you can ! As PCI & Xite are linked via adat, there is no doubt : it will work as well as both 32bit or 64. Adat is a standard : every adat devices must behave the same with their environment, so the Xite or the PCI cards don't care how many bit the OS of the other computer is, they are just exchanging numerical audio data in adat format.

[robinette]

Sure you can ! As PCI & Xite are linked via adat...

And why not link pci scope and Xite by z-link ?. I understand that z-link pci cards send voltage, and the z-link Xite no, but ... could not remove the tension on the wire using a FireWire cable 6/4 pin, and then a adapter 4/6 pin ?. I think this way, the cable will only data, not voltage.

[garyb]

maybe, but i don't think that the pinouts on Z-Link are necessarily the same as on Firewire...

[robinette]

maybe, but i don't think that the pinouts on Z-Link are necessarily the same as on Firewire...

And no one knows?...
Knowing the distribution of Xite Z-link pin (current interface even manufactured) can you tell which pins remain unused, so they know those who carry the strain on the PCI Z-link.
Xite-1 being manufactured, then Z-link too. Someone has to know how it works.
Nobody here?.

[JoPo]

No no no... The Xite z-link & pci z-link are not the same z-link...

I have 2 Luna i/o and when I had my Xite, I wanted to plug them into my new toy -> nada. I ask some explanation to S|C and they told me they are not the same z-l.... I believe that the data format are not the same, mmm, no I don't know but it doesn't work. Use adat ! It works perfectly !
I planned to keep only the Xite but I had to keep the pcis and I really don't regret at all !

[jksuperstar]

Even though Z-link has the same connector at both ends, I get the impression one device is the master and the other must be a slave. A master would expect (and talk to) only a slave. However, both the XITE and the PCI Z-link are masters. So they are both sending commands, but nobody is listening (typical masters ). A slave device is like the A16ultra...and two slaves connected are listening, but no one sends commands (so you can't plug an A16 into another, and expect audio to flow from one device to the other).

[garyb]

yes, that's true.

[robinette]

No no no... The Xite z-link & pci z-link are not the same z-link...

I have 2 Luna i/o and when I had my Xite, I wanted to plug them into my new toy -> nada. I ask some explanation to S|C and they told me they are not the same z-l.... I believe that the data format are not the same, mmm, no I don't know but it doesn't work. Use adat ! It works perfectly !
I planned to keep only the Xite but I had to keep the pcis and I really don't regret at all !

Xite z-link & pci z-link are not the same z-link simply because from Xite no energy is provided.
Luna I/O Box 2496 need power, and this comes through Zlink. Luna Box does not work in Xite.
A16 converter has its own power supply, therefore you do not need power supply through Zlink. A16 can work equally in Xite or PCI card for this reason.

The Zlink protocol is the same on all interfaces of Soniccore (Xite or PCI). It is a digital protocol that uses the FireWire cable to transport:
1 - Digital Audio
2 - Clock
3 - Power

To transport these three elements used a number of connectors (pin Firewire). For the A16 converter can be understood with the PCI cards and Xite, it is necessary that the placement of the pins are respected.

That's why I thought using a 6/4 FireWire cable and then a 4/6 adapter power could be canceled.
To this we must ensure that the power in the Zlink protocol run by the same pins that correspond to power on the FireWire protocol.
Connecting Xite and PCI card with a 6/4 FireWire cable and then a 4/6 adapter we risk damaging the Xite Zlink.
But if you connect via the 6/4 FireWire cable and then 4/6 adapter a PCI card + Luna Box, there is no risk. If Luna Box is not turned on because the power has been canceled. In that case the FireWire cable 6/4 and 4/6 adapter works for that purpose. If Luna Box turn ... bad business ... it means that the invention is not canceled power. Then Zlink and firewire not wearing the same pin power connectors.

It is an idea that can lead us to take advantage of the protocol Zlink our Xite, and leave the ADAT connection for other purposes as it is standard protocol (Zlink it is not).

Forgive me for my English, but I use a lot the Google translator.

A greeting.

[garyb]

maybe you're correct, and maybe there will be damage, or maybe it just won't work.
i believe it's impossible to slave to Z-Link, anyway.

experiment if you like, there's no advantage to be gained(no way to sync the two devices), and a chance that there will be damage.