Custom Rackmount PC for SCS

[Richard Chance]

Apologies if this topic has already been opened, I'm new to the forum and still searching to find something appropriate to this subject.

I'm looking to have two custom rackmount PCs built for running SCS. Our show runs video and several tracks of audio per cue. We're looking to build custom computers to run SCS and I wondered if anyone has recent experience in the best components/operating system etc to buy for the build?

I have had experience using Delta 1010 soundcards for the audio output, so it would be handy if we could re-use those in the new build. SCS11 seems stable with Windows 7 so we're planning to install this as OS, but as for power supply, motherboard, video card, hard drives and, well, just about everything else - I would really appreciate any known compatible suggestions out there!

Thanks for your help in advance

Richard

[charlier]

I don't know where you are located but we supply rack mount computers sourced in North America: http://www.richmondsounddesign.com/prices.html#2200

[newlifedrama]

I have tested a few computers, both laptops and desktop, with SCS. One issue to test out is USB noise interference (assuming you use a USB sound card). On one HP desktop computer there was noise when the USB disk was used, on another Dell desktop there was noise when I used the USB wireless ethernet dongle. On my Dell laptop - no noise whatsoever. According to an EE friend of mine, there's lots of shortcuts computer designers can make regarding USB isolation etc, so test any new computer out thoroughly - I suggest running sound with heavy disk and Ethernet and other activity, e.g. moving windows around etc, to make sure it is rock solid. Else, you will have to return it and try a different motherboard or design. Hopefully this will not happen.

Also, I run my sound off an SD card to avoid any latency interference from the OS. I have found that heavy disk activity can cause very intermittent stuttering in the sound unless I do this. And once in a blue moon (like 30 minutes) the OS can randomly decide to do something with the disk, e.g. some file system restore point junk, paging file IO, or who knows what. This can lock up the main disk for a short time, like 100-500 msecs and glitch your sound. If you use an SD card, it is on a separate disk queue and is not effected by the OS operations. Mike recently improved the ASIO buffering so this should no longer be an issue, but be aware of it just in case. So... I recommend making sure you have an SD card slot on the front of your rack in case you decide to use this option.

P.S. I just got a Behringer X32 mixer and wow - you plug in the USB to your computer and you have 32 channels in and out, no more sound card, external box, patch cables, midi cables, nothing! Everything goes over the one USB cable, including midi control. Loving it!

[Richard Chance]

Charlie: I'm over in the UK. Do you build computers specifically to work compatibly with Show Cue Systems?

Gary: Thanks for the advice there - SD card sounds like an interesting workaround I hadn't thought of. Will keep this in mind definitely.

[charlier]

Richard: We do but the ones we build would have to be shipped to the UK from the US and I would recommend you talk with Scott George at Autograph Sound Recording in London for a closer solution. Cheers!

[Richard Chance]

Richard: We do but the ones we build would have to be shipped to the UK from the US and I would recommend you talk with Scott George at Autograph Sound Recording in London for a closer solution. Cheers!

Thanks, Charlie that's very helpful.

[Richard Chance]

Haven't heard back from Autograph yet but have put feelers out to Carillon computers who have made systems for SCS before now and are streamlining a quote for a Core 1 for me. Will report back when I find out more!

[Richard Chance]

Latest update -this system suggested from Carillon. If anyone has any thoughts on the system, please add in. Otherwise, hope this helps. I'll post one last update when we decide to purchase.

AC-1 Core 1
2320 3GHz 4 Cores
Quiet Cooling
Gigabyte B75 - PCI - PCIe
HD5450 Dual output silent GPU
4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz
1TB Seagate OS drive
500W Quiet PSU
6x USB2 Ports
2x USB3 Ports
DVD DVD±RW (±R DL)
Windows 7 64bit - Custom Install
AC1 19" Rack case