Hi all. I'm setting up the iMac I got a few days ago (see my sig for specs). I have a professional-grade audio workstation software called Cakewalk SONAR, and it's Windows-only. I have quite a bit invested in this app (money for original purchase and upgrades, files for previous/current music projects), so I would rather make do with the investment I've already made rather than switch to another app that's OS X native. I'm not likely to use Windows for anything else, as I'm not much of a gamer.
My previous iMac, a 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo, ran this application fine in Boot Camp, so I know I have that option.
My question is: Would a virtualization app like Parallels or VMWare Fusion also be able to run Cakewalk SONAR and its DirectX-driven software synths with acceptable latency?
Additional info, if it helps:
My audio interface is a Tascam US-144; it has a built-in MIDI interface, and I play/control a Roland XP-10 synth through that.
I also use a M-Audio O2 controller, connected by USB.
My main genres/styles are electronic: synthpop, trance, club, etc. Thus, minimal latency when controlling the software synths live alongside external synth gear is absolutely essential.
(My apologies if anyone feels I posted this in the wrong section. However, I got no help with setting up Cakewalk in Boot Camp the last time I posted in the Digital Audio section of the Special Interests forum. I figured that since this question deals directly with virtualization of Windows vs. Boot Camp, it would be OK here, and I might just get some useful opinions/info that would drive my decision. Thanks.)
EDIT: While I'm at it, I'll ask about OS choice. Cakewalk SONAR requires XP at minimum, which I have. But should I consider 7 instead?
My previous iMac, a 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo, ran this application fine in Boot Camp, so I know I have that option.
My question is: Would a virtualization app like Parallels or VMWare Fusion also be able to run Cakewalk SONAR and its DirectX-driven software synths with acceptable latency?
Additional info, if it helps:
My audio interface is a Tascam US-144; it has a built-in MIDI interface, and I play/control a Roland XP-10 synth through that.
I also use a M-Audio O2 controller, connected by USB.
My main genres/styles are electronic: synthpop, trance, club, etc. Thus, minimal latency when controlling the software synths live alongside external synth gear is absolutely essential.
(My apologies if anyone feels I posted this in the wrong section. However, I got no help with setting up Cakewalk in Boot Camp the last time I posted in the Digital Audio section of the Special Interests forum. I figured that since this question deals directly with virtualization of Windows vs. Boot Camp, it would be OK here, and I might just get some useful opinions/info that would drive my decision. Thanks.)
EDIT: While I'm at it, I'll ask about OS choice. Cakewalk SONAR requires XP at minimum, which I have. But should I consider 7 instead?
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