The 64bit question

[Animus]

So I am pondering the feasibility of upgrading my main music computer to 64 bit Window 7 and was wondering if someone has compiled a master list of plugins that have be ported to 64 bit currently. Anything like that exist. Maybe we should start one in this thread. Also I would like to discuss the ramifications, do's and dont's of using bit bridges for plugins. I know the UAD is not currently 64 bit right now? How is it working in 64 bit? etc.

[nikki-k]

My experience so far..
32-bit versions of DAWquencer apps.
jBridge for my bit bridge, running 64-bit VI's in a separate process, and also for 32-bit RAM eater plug-ins, also in a separate process.
32-bit non-RAM eater plugins run natively.

So, with 64-bit versions of Kontakt, Ivory, Superior 2, etc that love RAM, the separate process within a 32-bit app is doing OK so far.
32-bit in a separate process allows each to address (potentially) up to 4G each.
Since so many FX plugins are still 32-bit, it was easier to simply bridge my VI's that could benefit from it. When the 64-bit hosts are solid, and the majority of all the plugs I use are 64-bit, then I would simply jBridge those few stray 32-bit plugs from the 64-bit host.

I am doing prog rock/metal, decent amount of VI use, heavy reliance on Superior 2. I do have several hardware instruments, plus do live tracking of guitars, bass, keys and vocals. 12G RAM has been enough, but I would not say no if someone bought quality RAM for me.. say 24G?

[Sid Chigger]

I'll be getting a new system too and am very interested in this topic..

Will be following along... :-)

[Sam]

Hey Stacy,
I think the best option right now is to run N32 bit inside Win7 64. This has been playing really well for me so far. Any VI you want to run 64bit you can bridge in or use VI host something similar....

I can load up 8 omnispheres with 8 patches each now - on xp I could barely get nuendo settled with 1 loaded and 3 patches in it ...that probably says more about omnisphere than Nuendo though ;) Also melodyne editor was almost unusable for me in XP32 - now it rocks along very resposively....

I can have a UAD2 quad fully loaded, VI's, 100+ tracks with heeeeaps of plugs and 1920x1080 video at full quality prores (looks freaking awesome) coming out of the decklink HD - all at 128 buffer, running like a champ. Sometimes I can leave things at 64 buffer but for those big post sessions usually I bump up to give me breathing space. For rock/pop mixes I don't have to move off 64.

[kdm]

How much ram in that system Sam? (also, is it an i7?).

[Animus]

thanks all. Lot's of things to consider. Apparently there's also a bug in SEQ5 W7 64bit where the gui will disappear when you hold down the left mouse button too long.

[Sam]

There is 12gb in this rig dedric - yep it. Is i7 :)

The bug with holding down the mouse does get me...I think you need to turn off visual themes for Nuendo only to fix it. Doesn't get me too often though...

[Animus]

Let's start to compile a master list of 64 bit plugs. Post here if you know a certain plugin is 64bit or not a and I will compile a master list as a sticky thread. I will start....

UAD plugins are not 64 bit.
Lexicon PCM Native are 64 bit.

[TAFKAT]

FabFilter (http://www.fabfilter.com/)

[patchmein]

PSP: 42 & 85

[Sound Drifter]

Hey Guys,

As far as 64 bit plugs, you may want to check if they use a 64bit wrapper if they are VST3. IIRC, I read a short while ago that Steinberg released an update SDK for VST3.


Just found it:

VST3.1 comes with two convenient “wrapping” tools, enabling VST3.1 plug-ins to be transformed into the Audio Unit format as well as – for older DAWs – into the VST2.4 standard. This allows a maximum flexibility and reduces the porting time. Further features are the support of MIDI poly pressure, a future proof Mac 64-bit test host as well as four new interfaces, including time accurate parameter group editing, delayed opening of the plug-in editor while loading a project/preset, "dirty status" allowing the plug-in to communicate generic changes to the host and several editor features like the set knob mode to open the about or help window. More sample code and an extended documentation rounds out the VST3.1 package.

EDIT: Just read it through and it really doesn't apply. It seems it is for backward compatibility.

[Sound Drifter]

64 bit plugins lists:

http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=127528&highlight=64bit+plugins

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/503833-64-bit-plugin-thread-lets-create-reference-list.html

A bunch more turned up, but the threads had a low signal to noise level.