Does HDD sample streaming reduce RAM resoureces?

[KalamataKid]

I am building a new PC.

 

I am optomizing my PC to take advantage of

hard drive sample streaming from

GigaStuddio, Halion and EXS 24.

 

My aim is to get well over 100 note

polyphony and even 160 if possble

from a sigle PC.

 

Will I get more polyphony over the RAM

based VST? By streaming the samples from the

hard drive do I use less RAM resources?

 

What is the VST overhead as opposed to the freestanding

GigaStudio?

 

Is there a chart that shows the polyphony

that can be obrained in relation to hard drive

sustained data transfer rate in MB/second?

 

Below is my prooposed PC.

 

1 GHz FC-PGA Pentim lll

 

512 MB PC133 SDRAM (non-ECC) use two 256 Mushkin single sided modules (high performance) Cas 2. Also may consider Crucial Technologies, Micron and NEC modules.

 

Midi Case Tower (Quite type) Enermax or equal (PC Power and Cooling brand?) 300 watt minimum power supply (120V/130V, 50/60) and proper and preferably low-noise type ventilation fans.

 

Software. Install Windows 98 SE

Each boot to have its own Windows 98SE.

 

Asus CUSL2-C Motherboard. Without the audio option.

 

Dual boot Use boot manager: XOSL or Partition Magic?

 

3ware Escalade 6200 PCI RAID card. Please also price the 6410 and 6400 (6400 is the full length card)

 

Hard Drives: IBM Deskstar 75GXP or the newer 60GXP? Convert to Fat 32.

Give me price for 20, 30, 45, 60 and 75 GB drives as the price will determine the HDD set up.

 

A. Using the 6200 implement RAID 0 on the two drives

1. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

2. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

 

Onboard ATA 100:

Primary Master: Programs, and audio and non-audio data: 45 GB

Secondary Master Connect the CDRW and DVD ROM

 

B. Using the 6410 (or 6400)

1. Programs, and non-audio data: 20 GB, Drives 1&2 RAID 0

2. Audio: 20 GB

3. Sample Streaming: 45 GB, Drives 3 &4 RAID 0

4. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

 

Onboard ATA 100:

Primary Master: Connect the CDRW

Secondary Master: DVD ROM

 

CD burning: Plextor PlexWriter 16/10/40A (PX-W1610A)

 

DVD Drive. With volume and Headphone jack. With SPDIF digital audio out (to sound card). cdrw and dvd to the same cable.

1. Pioneer DVD-116 or DVD-106S. What do you recommend?

2. Sony

3. Aopen 1640 has SPDIF

 

Video Card / Graphics Card: Matrox G450, 32 MB DDR

 

 

 

------------------

[Anderton]

The Gigasampler requires a lot of RAM, even though it streams samples from hard disk. The RAM acts as a buffer that "pre-stores" notes, which is why the system's latency is so incredibly low.

[KalamataKid]

Thanks Craig,

 

So how much RAM and how

many MB of sustained data

transfer rate will be

required for 160 note

polyphony.

 

I have to decide on the specs

for my new PC.

 

If there is no increase in

polyphony by streaming the

samples from the hard drive

(I know there are other advantages)

even from the fastest HDD

or even RAID why go to the expense?

 

Is there a chart that shows the polyphony

that can be obrained in relation to hard drive

sustained data transfer rate in MB/second?

 

By streaming the samples from the

hard drive it seems that I use as

much RAM. Correct?

 

Also if you can answer: What is the VST

overhead as opposed to the freestanding

GigaStudio?

 

 

------------------

[KalamataKid]

Thanks Craig,

 

So how much RAM and how

many MB of sustained data

transfer rate will be

required for 160 note

polyphony.

 

I have to decide on the specs

for my new PC.

 

If there is no increase in

polyphony by streaming the

samples from the hard drive

(I know there are other advantages)

even from the fastest HDD

or even RAID why go to the expense?

 

Is there a chart that shows the polyphony

that can be obrained in relation to hard drive

sustained data transfer rate in MB/second?

 

By streaming the samples from the

hard drive it seems that I use as

much RAM. Correct?

 

Also if you can answer: What is the VST

overhead as opposed to the freestanding

GigaStudio?

 

 

 

 

------------------

[Anderton]

>>So how much RAM and how

many MB of sustained data

transfer rate will be

required for 160 note

polyphony. <<

 

This is a question best directed at Nemesys, who make the Gigasampler. But there are a lot of variables - even the motherboard makes a difference.

 

In general, the object is to have a hard drive that spins as fast as possible (at least 7200 RPM, preferably 10,000 RPM) and as much RAM as possible. 256 MB is essential, 512 MB is a thing of beauty!