#Budget music production system

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

karmic pawn
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I need to put together a PC specifically for running FL Studio when I stream music production. I do have a modern PC, but with everything going on the live playback gets crunchy due to the high CPU usage. The build in question will be captured externally so it can focus entirely on sound prosuction.

The current parts:
CPU: i5-4570
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
RAM: 8GB DDR3 @ 1600MT/s
mobo: MSI H81M-P33
PSU: EVGA 600B
Storage: 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD
OS: Windows 10

While these components are well above the minimum requirement, I'm still experiencing some crunchy audio during playback with just a few instruments playing, so something definitely needs upgraded.

karmic cipher
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You should upgrade

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What budget?

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I don't think you need a GPU for music production so you may want to reuse the 1060 which is still decent

modern vale
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If you got 10 years out of the system, it's had a good run. You could clean the system, repaste the cpu, and do a fresh windows install... it would bring back some lost performance. The crunch maybe due to a PSU issue and voltage instability, this can happen to a 10 year old power supply unit. If you would like to refresh your system it may still be an option.

If buying new, I'll need to know your budget. Also, what physical audio interface are you using (just curiosity)? Have you double checked all the connections and wires? Generally when I'm having fidelity issues, a wire or connectioner is the culprit.

karmic pawn
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I did try to edit the post with more info, but apparently it didn't save.

Budget: as cheap as possible, new or used is fine with me

I have a Ryzen 2600 I could use, but I need a motherboard and RAM. This attempt was just trying to reuse my previous system and keep it from being ewaste

modern vale
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Well you could pick up a mobo and ram for around $100 to work with the 2600. It is a 6 year old cpu, but would be a upgrade from the 10+ year old i5 you are using. I looked and saw multiple options for mobos for 50-60 new. 16gb of ddr4 can be had at 40-50. You could shop used, but at thoose prices... a new mobo and ram sounds good.

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Im just concerned about the issue itself. Crunch isn't quite enough to go on. Did the issue just start on the same equipment, has it progressively gotten worse over time, has it always been an issue with this equipment? Did you add or change anything to the set up from when it was working to when it wasn't? Have you tested multiple headphones, amps, or wires to determine the PC is the culprit?

I would just hate for you to buy stuff then have the same problem with a new PC. Can I help you troubleshoot the problem to insure the PC is the issue?

karmic pawn
modern vale
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If you are having the same issue on another upgraded pc... then the problem may lay elsewhere

karmic pawn
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The specific audio stuff is FL Studio ASIO with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, using the Focusrite ASIO when that interface is plugged in

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And I do have the same issue, but I also use the main PC for a lot of other stuff simultaniously

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Discord call, movie, tons of browser tabs, streaming, gaming, 3D modeling

modern vale
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Have you tried updating the audio drivers?
You could also play with the bit rate

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It could be a compression issue

karmic pawn
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Oh, it's not a bitrate issue. That kind of crunch sounds different. I've updated my audio drivers recently

modern vale
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The audio issue is only with that unit and program?

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Are you playing back through the unit, or headphones to the pc sound card?

karmic pawn
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All of the above, one at a time

modern vale
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Well... Have you looked into the kind of rigs people are using with this exact setup? Ive used pro tools and cubase on some potato computers without having performance issues. Is this software insanely resource intensive?

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As a test, if you close all the other un-needed programs on your main PC does the issue get better? If you are only working one track does it have an issue, or only multiple simultaneously tracks casues the crunch?

karmic pawn
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Every time I look for PCs specifically for FL Studio what I get is an intro for how to use the program

karmic pawn
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Also happens on the laptop, which is an i5-7200U, 8GB RAM, and only when I have too many instruments going. I think the audio for that is Realtek

modern vale
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Okay, well the options apear to be a not cheap computer then, or consider trying another interface and software... the second option maybe cheaper, and you could return the unit if you are having the same issue

karmic pawn
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That's actually why I figured the system would be a good choice. If the issue seems to scale with CPU and RAM, I could do the previously mentioned ~$100 for mobo and DDR4, slotting in the Ryzen 2600

modern vale
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Your main PC is significantly better than the 2600 though... and if its not cutting the mustard... im sure the 2600 setup won't either

karmic pawn
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Oh, no, I was referring to the secondary PC with the 4570. Upgrading that to the 2600 and just offloading FL entirely to its own system

modern vale
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I understand, but if the 5600 isnt running the program well, adding the mobo,ram,2600 to the 4570 build is going to underperform vs the 5600

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just dont want you to spend money and not be happy witht the performance

karmic pawn
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I get it. The 5600 only has issues running it when I either go nuts adding tons of layers of unoptimized plugins or when I have enough going to cover what 3 other people would run at the same time

modern vale
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okay, that gives me a better understanding of the situation. In that case, yeah, try the mobo and ramm upgrade.

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to pick the amount of ram you will need. Run the program with a resource monitor open and watch how much ram the system is issue based on the number of tracks you are playing. This will help you decide if you only need 16gb or 32

karmic pawn
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The most demanding project I currently have uses 11GB, so I'll probably get 16GB. Windows doesn't use a whole lot on its own and this install is almost fresh

modern vale
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one thing to look out for when getting a mobo for the 2600... a few different gens of AMD mobo (300,400,500) will support the 2600, but the mobo needs the correct firmware for the 2600 generation of AMD. In some unfortunate cases you need a different cpu to flash the mobo to support the cpu you have. Just double check the mother specifically supports with 2600 without a firmware flash.

karmic pawn
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Almost identical to the parts I put in a similar list

karmic pawn
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The 32GB is because my main PC has 48GB using a kit of 32 and 16. So upgrade the main system to 64GB and use the 16 for the FL Studio system

modern vale
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Looks good brother 🤜🤛🏾 glad we could get you sorted.
If you enjoyed the customer service, please leave a penny in the tip jar 🤔🤣

karmic pawn
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Got the parts installed. Still crunches, but not nearly as bad. Might be a problem with the FL ASIO driver, so I'll be asking around the forums for that

modern vale
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Send a Pic if you can, I wanna see what yhea built, even if it ain't the prettiest

karmic pawn
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Oh, it definitely won't be pretty. I used the DIYPC DIY-F2-P. It has bulged sides, but not enough to be useful for cable management. There's also no cutout for the CPU power. Spaghetti everywhere