Old 08-30-2011, 09:53 AM   #1
ReaperMadness
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Default 32 Bit or 64 Bit?

The Reaper websites says, "Most users will likely want to download a 32-bit version of REAPER. All versions of REAPER have a full-resolution 64-bit internal audio signal path from end to end, on all operating systems.

Your decision of which installer to download depends primarily on the plug-ins you wish to use with REAPER and your operating system, and not on any audio quality considerations."

So... my question is:

When is it advantageous to install the 64 Bit version?
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Old 08-30-2011, 10:00 AM   #2
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When is it advantageous to install the 64 Bit version?
When you have more than 4 gigabytes of RAM in your computer and the need to use that additional RAM.
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Old 08-30-2011, 10:08 AM   #3
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But the 64 Bit version limits the plug-ins available?
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Old 08-30-2011, 10:32 AM   #4
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But the 64 Bit version limits the plug-ins available?
Yes, 32 bit plugins won't work without "bit bridging" which can degrade the way how the plugins work. (ie, the bit bridging might add CPU usage, add latency, cause audio dropouts etc)
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Old 08-31-2011, 09:39 AM   #5
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Xanakios -

Thanks for the feedback.
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Old 08-31-2011, 11:29 AM   #6
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Yes, 32 bit plugins won't work without "bit bridging" which can degrade the way how the plugins work.
Indeed the bridging adds another layer of processing.
A 64-bit plugin will always perform better on 64-bit DAW, since it's running native.
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Old 08-31-2011, 12:09 PM   #7
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And just a heads up I have yet to use more than 4 gigs in a project so I just stuck with the 32 bit version.
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Old 08-31-2011, 12:13 PM   #8
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And just a heads up I have yet to use more than 4 gigs in a project so I just stuck with the 32 bit version.

And what kind of projects are you creating that do not require in excess of 4GB ram? (just trying to get a feel for the right version to download.)

Thanks.
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:22 PM   #9
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And what kind of projects are you creating that do not require in excess of 4GB ram? (just trying to get a feel for the right version to download.)

Thanks.
If you use plugins that load large sample banks, that's the main thing that'll chew up your RAM. BFD, Trillian and so forth can have banks that are over 1GB in size.

Virtual samplers like this sometimes (more often nowadays) do "disk streaming", which means the less frequently-used samples aren't loaded in RAM but are accessed periodically on the HDD when necessary, so that can cut down on RAM usage. They also usually have options to load 16-bit samples instead of 24-bit samples, and/or "lite" versions of their banks (or "lite" modes) which contain more than enough samples for realism without having to load the full-blown insane-o sample bank to RAM, since it's seldom you'd take full advantage of the entire velocity range/round-robin sample set of such a large bank. There are also samplers with far smaller sample banks which can sound just as good (depending on how you use it), so it's not as though you even need to plan around having 1GB+ of RAM for virtual sampler A, 1GB+ of RAM for virtual sampler B, and so on.

I personally don't know anyone using more than 3GB of RAM in a project. I'm sure they exist, but they're the kind of person who relies heavily on very large sample banks in multiple virtual samplers.

On another related note, I've been told by a few people that the 64-bit version on a 64-bit operating system "runs more smoothly". Their results were always skewed by the fact they changed hardware (new computer, new faster HDD, new faster RAM), and it's also possible they could've been experiencing an "old bloated install" of 32-bit OS (in need of general maintenance to reduce the number of running processes from software installed over time), compared to a "fresh install" of a 64-bit OS (while also on new hardware). So unless I knew someone who did a direct comparision "apples to apples", I'd be taking those opinions with a grain of salt. (I know a couple people who have done "apples to apples" comparisons, and they've said there may be a difference but they're not certain.) I use XP x86, so I can't offer an opinion of my own in that regard.

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Old 08-31-2011, 01:25 PM   #10
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I mainly track and mix bands. So all my computer really handles is FX processing. When I do my own stuff its usually Poise, SampleTank and Sonik Synth 2. Nothing super intricate, I like to keep my self productions simple and under 12 tracks total. Helps me get more creative with limiting myself sometimes.
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:38 PM   #11
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i recently upgraded from win xp (dux) 32 to win 7 64.
looooooads of wrestling with device drivers...
then troubleshooting some other issues (traced back to variety of sound bootsy plugins, can't seem to get them to work which is a damn shame)

upgraded from 2 to 6 gig ram.
system is smokin, that's for damn sure.
but reaper was fast as hell on the other machine too.
i think i'll really start noticing a difference when i load up on the plugins.
hopefully they all play nice with 64...ugh
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:48 PM   #12
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O.K. So I've got a new 64 bit PC. 6MB ram currently, 8 max.

But it sounds like the limiting factor of less plug-ins available in 64bit outweigh the advantages of a 64 bit os. Is that what I'm getting from everyone?

And even if, as of right now, there's more than enough 64 bit plug-ins available for my needs, (with, I assume, more becoming available in 64 bit all the time) and I'm patient, and I don't mind waiting, there's STILL no advantage in downloading 64bit version unless I'm recording the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live?
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Old 08-31-2011, 02:30 PM   #13
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Wait, can u run 32 bit version on 64 bit system?
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Old 08-31-2011, 02:32 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by pyelagin View Post
Wait, can u run 32 bit version on 64 bit system?
Of course you can without a problem Do it every day
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Old 08-31-2011, 02:34 PM   #15
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Yup I have 16 gb of ram and still only use the 32 bit Reaper. I thought I'd need it when in reality I hardly ever even get close!
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:02 PM   #16
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and, if you use video for anything, there have been a lot of
issues getting stable video performance configuration from the
64bit version. another reason to run 32bit.

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Old 08-31-2011, 06:06 PM   #17
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So it doesn't sound like there's much demand for the 64 bit version...
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Old 09-01-2011, 05:25 AM   #18
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O.K. One last question about this and I'll shut up (sure I will...).

One of my planned projects involves transferring some 8 channel reel-to-reel tracks to the computer for remixing.

Will recording eight tracks simultaneously require more than 4GB of ram?
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Old 09-01-2011, 05:56 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Will recording eight tracks simultaneously require more than 4GB of ram?
Not by a long shot.
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Old 09-01-2011, 06:34 AM   #20
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O.K. O.K!

32 bit it is!

I think...
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Old 09-01-2011, 09:04 AM   #21
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Yeah really you'll be fine and it'll take a lot to get to that 4 gb limit.
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Old 09-01-2011, 10:49 AM   #22
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Quote:
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O.K. O.K!

32 bit it is!

I think...
If the 8 tracks are audio tracks with a reasonable load of plugins, then yes, 4 GB will be totally enough. However, if it would be MIDI with complex sample based plugin instruments on the tracks, different matter...You could probably rocket the memory usage even with 1 track with some demanding sample library loaded in an instrument plugin.
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Old 09-01-2011, 11:23 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesPeters View Post
If you use plugins that load large sample banks, that's the main thing that'll chew up your RAM. BFD, Trillian and so forth can have banks that are over 1GB in size.

Virtual samplers like this sometimes (more often nowadays) do "disk streaming", which means the less frequently-used samples aren't loaded in RAM but are accessed periodically on the HDD
In the interest of ensuring greater stability etc, I think the best option is a 64bit OS with 8 - 12 Gb RAM; using Reaper 32bit with 32bit plugins, all from a good SSD.

The benefits of using an SSD as one's main Hard Drive whilst using 32bit apps with 4Gb RAM each is far better than trying to make everything in your home studio 64bit.... at least for now.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:49 PM   #24
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if I uninstall 64 bit and install 32 bit would it keep all my configuration settings?
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Old 09-03-2011, 08:30 AM   #25
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I don't believe so but you can export/import your settings from one to another.
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