ARM64 support in Sonar and Next

[Noel Borthwick]

We're beginning testing of ARM64 versions of both Sonar and Next.

Please complete the poll if you have interest in using/testing these products.
Also, if you would like to beta test these, please respond to this thread to add your name to the list.

Read this to learn more about what's coming in Windows on ARM64 for musicians:

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/windows-music-dev/making-music-on-windows/

The more interesting bullet there is the in-box ASIO driver which should work with most USB-2 class compliant audio devices on ARM (and X64).

[Glenn Stanton]

i think will will be interesting - i don't have an active ARM64 device i would use either testing or otherwise, but i think if it becomes stable on ARM64 i'd likely find a reason to get a more modern device 🙂 

[Noel Borthwick]

It's kind of low risk. X64 apps run fine on ARM64 devices via Microsoft's emulation layer which is actually surprisingly good.
Today the main blocking factor is to ensure that your audio interfaces have ARM64 drivers. Once Microsoft releases the inbox ASIO driver this will be less of an issue.

I'm running the RME ARM64 ASIO drivers and the Steinberg UR22. Both go down to very low latency 48 and 32 samples and can play without glitching on Next and Sonar for ARM64.
 

[John Vere]

@Noel Borthwick Are you saying that interface manufacturers are releasing this as an alternative driver or is / will it be included in the ASIO driver package? 
 

Example I have 3 fairly modern interfaces, Motu, Zoom and SSL. Im not expecting to need a new interface for a long time. 
Should I be watching for a driver update that adds ARM 64? 

[Noel Borthwick]

Most driver vendors would likely release ARM64 drivers soon I imagine. RME and Yamaha have shipping drivers, and I expect other vendors would follow.
Even if your vendor doesn't release a driver my hope is that the Microsoft inbox ASIO driver would cover those bases. That would actually be cool not just for ARM64 but in general for devices that don't have ASIO drivers at all, resulting in some users using ASIO4All.  
Whether its bundled as part of the ASIO driver package or included separately depends on the manufacturer. Currently its a separate download from RME.

[John Vere]

Thank I just finished reading the blog you posted a link to. This is definitely an important step in the right direction. 
Well if one of my interfaces puts out an Arm driver you can definitely sign me up for testing. 
 

[Noel Borthwick]

Note that you need a PC has an ARM chipset like the new Microsoft CoPilot PC's or from another vendor.
ARM software or drivers will not work on X64 hardware.

[John Vere]

2 hours ago, Noel Borthwick said:

Note that you need a PC has an ARM chipset like the new Microsoft CoPilot PC's or from another vendor.
ARM software or drivers will not work on X64 hardware.

Hmm. That will most certainly rule out a lot of Musicians! Many are still on W10. I just built a new PC and I expected to use it for 10 years like the last one.  

[Noel Borthwick]

Well X86 is not going to go away soon so there is nothing to worry about.
Microsoft is heavily invested in ARM and the next generation of PC's is moving towards ARM so its good for everyone to have options. ARM is vastly more power efficient so very well suited to mobile use. Also there are some high-powered desktop ARM solutions on the horizon as well.

https://wccftech.com/qualcomm-snapdragon-x2-cpus-to-feature-up-to-eighteen-oryon-v3-cores/
https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/cpu-gpu-components/next-gen-snapdragon-x-elite-core-count-leaks-heres-what-we-know-so-far