Jack Stoner

On the Windows 11 forum there are reports of Microsoft to release Windows 11 on October 5. If they do, we will find out what the real minimum requirements are.

Yes, new PC's are Win 11 ready. Microsoft's published requirements (for Intel CPU) is 8th Gen and newer plus TPM 2.0. Not sure on an AMD CPU.

Use the free (and popular) Macrium Reflect to disc image (backup) the entire drive - all partitions, to a separate drive. I assume this is what you are referring to. You mean your new PC is Windows 11 "compatible"? Other than the Windows Insider beta releases, there are no other (official) Windows 11. The "final" version is slated for release later this year. If you bought a new PC with Windows 11 installed its a fake.

I haven't had to do anything for years with Windows updates. Probably specific hardware and/or software configurations are affected. I just upgraded my Windows Insider installation to Windows 11 and the only thing I had to do was reset "Stereo Mix" as default input (recording) device.

After a week with Win 11, I haven't had any issues. Even old "WinPatrol" monitor program that was last updated for Win 7 is still working.

Check the Device Manager USB section. See if there is an unknown or unidentified device listed. If there is, chances are its the Presonus, uninstall it in the device manager then disconnect the device, restart Windows and reconnect. Many times this fixes problems of this sort.

I didn't look up the specs on that motherboard, but on many an NVMe takes up two SATA channels. If that is the case with that MSI motherboard then you will lose 4 SATA ports. That old Samsung 840 has some age and relatively little free space; I would seriously consider a new replacement. You don't have to reinstall everything, you can "clone" the disc (my least favorite way to do it) or best way (and you should have a disc image backup anyway) is to make a full disc image to a separate drive and then restore the disc image to the new drive. If you don't have a backup program, the free and popular Macrium Reflect is suggested (what most techies I know use). Although I haven't tried it, Macrium Reflect is able to restore to different size drive and properly partition. If you just clone to a larger size, the clone will not use the full capacity of the new drive and a partitioning program will be needed. Another possible issue. if the RME you have is Firewire, you will need a PCIe Firewire interface card. Finally, if you are using Win 10, later this year Microsoft is updating to Windows 11. Published MINIMUM specs for Win 11 is an 8th gen Intel CPU and "TPM". This may change when Win 11 is released, but it is Microsoft's specs now. Based on that your old system is not eligible for the free Win 10 to Win 11 upgrade.

Its rare to have the switch or wiring go bad. As someone that still does some PC repair (I'm retired) the switch, in a case such as yours, would be the last thing suspected. I've been doing user support on the Dell forums for 20 years and don't recall one bad power switch.

The XPS line (new/newer models) are no different than the regular consumer Inspiron desktop line. Still proprietary. Dell abandoned the 24 pin power connector for an 8 pin and proprietary power supply on many. My recommendation of the Precision line still stands with Dell. OTOH my 2018 Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming 5577 has worked well in my studio and use for on site recordings. I'm not a laptop fan but needed a portable PC. Bought the "gaming" model as it has better cooling and a higher wattage power supply. Most laptops use a 65 or 90 watt power supply, the gaming models use a 130 watt.

I mostly agree with you. My recording system is a self built system with a Gigabyte "Designare" motherboard and an i9 9900K CPU. In ref to the Dell's, I do user support on the Dell forums. I can buy Dell at employee discount but as noted built my own. However, there are many using Dell's for DAW work. I have a friend with a ProTools studio in Nashville and he is using a Dell XPS8930, stock, and not having any PC issues. There is a recent thread on here from a user that just bought a Dell for DAW work. There is a recent thread on the Dell forums of a user with a new XPS8940 that is going to use it for DAW work. If I were to buy a Dell for DAW work it would be their "workstation" Precision line.

Installed Win 11 on my Insider installation yesterday. Downloaded the Cakewalk update this morning. Loaded a couple of previous projects (one dates back to Sonar Platinum) and no issues. As a side note, the update would not download from the Bandlab Assistant, but downloaded without problems when I started Cakewalk and clicked on the update notification.

I work the Dell forums (screen name fireberd) and opening the case won't void the warranty. My NVME is a 1TB model. Keep an eye on the Dell Support Assist as it has been known to cause recording audio dropouts. If you have any problems, disable it. Actually, we have seen various issues with Support Assist over the years. DO NOT do a BIOS update with SA. If you need the BIOS update, download and install manually. We have seen "bricked" systems due to SA BIOS updates.

I have a solid state M.2 2280 NVMe drive for OS and other programs including DAW s and plug-ins. Cakewalk projects are on a conventional drive. I've been using solid state drives for about 5 years and no failures to date. I've seen the info about the number of read/writes and the deterioration. I must not have high use or I would have experienced failure. Usually, new Dells come with an M.2 2280 SATA or NVMe solid state drive and on systems with a second drive that is a conventional hard drive. That would mirror what my self built desktop has.

We see a lot of sound (Realtek) problems on the Dell forums caused by Windows updates. Usually reinstalling, in a Dell, the Dell model specific Realtek sound driver fixes it. In your case, did you try installing the PC vendor's Realtek driver?

The Intel CPU graphics is more than adequate for DAW work, and even some gaming. Check prices on regular Corsair memory. The "RGB" lights are not really needed. The Corsair power supply is OK, but consider a 650 or 750 in case you later add a video card or any other expansion boards. I like "fully modular" supplies as it eliminates unused cables.

If you like it, go for it. Only suggestion is to add another 8GB of RAM. Having memory in both slots allows dual channel operation. Only issue, many times mixing brands of memory (same tech specs) doesn't work and two of the same brand is needed. Just be aware of this, and its with any brand PC.

That is a similar system to the Dell. It has a 260 watt power supply but still very bare minimum.

The Dell Vostro line is their entry level business computer line. Pretty weak system and only a paltry 200 watt power supply. You can do much better than this. And, laptop memory will not work in a desktop. Dell uses proprietary parts including many power supplies so upgrading and beefing up is iffy. You need a minimum of 8GB of RAM, and that will mean installing two new and compatible memory modules. On and on.

I went from a SATA III SSD to an NVMe for the boot/OS/DAW drive.. Visually, I do not see any difference in boot times or operations. I didn't benchmark before switching so I don't have the statistics to compare. My PC is a Gigabyte Designare Z390 motherboard with an i9 9900K CPU and 16 GB RAM.

What I read, the mk4 needs some kind of computer (iPad) control connection. I have the new Ultralite MK5 and it can work as a standalone From MOTU: Built for studio and stage Housed in a compact, steel enclosure you can take anywhere, the UltraLite-mk5 is equally well-suited for studio and stage, with or without a computer. Connect all your personal studio gear for state-of-the art computer-based recording and production, or take it to your next gig to mix live, without a computer.

To add, although the AC power may potentially be the main source of this problem, it still does not rule out a "weak" power supply.

I do not run my desktop (DAW) PC on "raw" AC power. I use a UPS which along with the battery backup, provides some line isolation, filtering, surge etc. Even my laptop that I use for on site recordings, I use a Furman surge and line filtering power strip. AC power line and what is connected to the same AC power phase can induce interference and depending on the power (amp) rating can cause sags and other problems. Maybe even your problem. I would try to find an outlet, for the PC, that is not on the same line/power phase as the pump. At a minimum, if you can't afford a UPS, get a good quality surge protector and use that.

I do some computer support. My first thought is power supply. But could be something else overloading the power supply. Sadly, the only real way to test the power supply is to use a known good power supply. I'm not familiar with Lenovo's and don't know if it uses (or can use) a standard ATX power supply or some custom power supply.

About a year ago I needed more channels for a recording project (I had an MOTU 4pre with 4 analog preamps and needed 8). I was able to borrow a Behringer 1820 from a friend for the project. The Behringer performed admirably. Preamps sounded identical to the MOTU's and had the same low latency.

Ryzen's, from what was posted on here by a builder a couple years ago, are great for gaming and video production. Intel CPU's are better for audio and better latency. However, get the PC "cleaned up" before trying recording. Many PC's have vendor added programs that can cause Latency problems. Download and run the free (and popular) Resplendence Latency Mon. It should help you in locating what may be causing the problems. Look at startup, many programs in startup are not necessary. Some antivirus programs add to latency problems (I only use the built in Windows Defender antivirus, no Norton or whatever). Finally, a PC sound card (e.g. Realtek) has high latency and poor signal to noise ratio. Get a real recording interface. Resplendence Software - LatencyMon