Hello chaps,
finally I could afford to buy a new laptop to revamp my home studio.
Before I start to install software I decided to ask for your guidance for the best practice in installing OS, software, plugins etc.
My question is more about "what to install and where to install" than "how to". If you point me the general direction I guess I can manage it on my own.
I will use my laptop both for home recording/mixing and as a guitar amp sim / FX processor on the stage.
My genre is mostly progressive rock and some experimental stuff.
My DAW preference is Reaper.
Hardware: i7-12650, 64 GB RAM, 2 x 2TB M.2 SSD, Nvdia RTX 3050
USB interface. Audient iD14 Mk1
I prefer to keep on using Win10
I will be using Kontakt, EZDrummer, EZKeys, Omnisphere, several soft synths, amp sims/modellers (STL, TH-U, Tonex etc)
So I need more experienced guidance on where to install VSTs, apps, libraries; where to keep my working files. How to make better use of 2 SSDs. I can add an external SSD via USB-C to bring in more flexibility.
I am planning to keep this laptop offline and use my older laptop for daily work.

So I will genuinely appreciate if you can point me the right track.
Cheers!

 

I hope both SSDs are connected via nvme?

They way I do it is to use one SSD for windows and one for my libraries (samples, Kontakt etc, Omnisphere library, my projects and so on).
IMHO it doesn't make a big difference nowadays performance wise. Plugins will install to partition c anyways. All other programs installed to C also. Only big advantage might be that you can do a windows reinstall without having to move your libraries but I never needed to do that. I'm planing to do a fresh install when the next major version is available here.

Win 11 is absolutely stable here, never had any issue but's a different topic.

 

Last edited: Oct 3, 2024

First I'd say DPC latency is the most important thing to check for a laptop.
I'm using an external SSD because my sample library is pretty big, but if yours fits in internal SDD it's better.
My advice :
Internal SSD 1 : set a 512 partition for windows (drive C) and second partition for audio programs 1.5 to
Internal SSD 2 : use full disk as a single partition and put everything "data" (projects, samples, libraries).

Win10 will die in one year, Win11 seems more revelant today.
I think that offline computer is mandatory for stable audio performances (except when you need to validate licences).

 

Yes both SSDs are connected via NVME.
My concern is about performance loss by the time. I want to also ask shall I move plugins to second SSD using symlink? Or is it unnecessary?
Also about removing the older software as I update them. Should I use Revo Uninstaller while installing stuff so later I can uninstall them with less junk remaining? Or is it useless?

I might consider moving to Win11 (thank you for mentioning the stability), as the laptop will be offline no need to worry about telemetry or MS spying.
Thanks for the reply

 

it's a very nice spec!

with 2 SSDs, I would use one for everything that needs to be "installed" (Windows, programs, drivers etc..) and use second drive for all your data (documents, downloads, libraries, projects - that way wiping+reinstalling Windows would be least painful,
about apps, I'd definitely suggest some hardware/temperature/fan monitoring like HWinfo, HWmonitor, FanControl so you'd have better idea when performance goes crap for some reason

not a problem, since you're not buying the latest hardware (2022 cpu, 2021 gpu), Windows 10 should work flawlessly, and you can always go W11 anytime later

I'd use that also for backups (but be aware SSDs lying in shelf without power for a long time may start loosing data), something like FreeFileSync is convenient reliable way to sync various folders without dedicating entire drive for backup

better safe than sorry, I'd still install some firewall/filter like NetLimiter, TinyWall or SimpleWall (check differences between those and definitely pick only one), you'll inevitably go online one day

 

I recommend creating a win install USB for an offline version.

First thing to do after install is SimpleWall and follow some guided to optimize everything for latency and performance.
Windows is terrible if you don't deactivate all the terrible "features"

 

Yes, I will definitely consider creating two partitions on disk C: . All in all, this 3 partition setup on two disks looks quite reasonable.
Also this will be a good time to move to Win 11 (later I know I will postpone Win upgrade indefinitely as I prefer a clean install, not an OS upgrade)
Thank you.

 

Wow, I did not know this. Thanks for the warning

 

there is no reason to do so with SSDs nowadays,
having two data partitions on system disk will inevitably lead to lack of space on either, without any benefit, and very hard to repartition later,
you'd save yourself lot of hassle when you just leave one huge C: volume with programs left to default install locations

 

Btw, anybody has experience with Tiny11 and similar "distributions"? Is it a good idea to use such a premade minimalistic windows or better to install the offline version and delete all bloatware and that's it?

 

Having a "small" partition only for Windows and everything audio-related programs to a 2nd partition will help for OS-only backup by make them quicker (the backup doesnt include all audio programs which can be very huge in size and amount of file - like Arturia).
Of course it's not mandatory, but I found it usefull in various occasion on my own laptop.
Up to you.

 

Hi Wowbagga,

1.) I would install the software and also the sound libraries and presets all on C:/, so fast access is always guaranteed.

2.) I would use the second external SSD as storage and backup.

Finished songs - WAV libraries - movies - photos etc.!
You can also make a “complete backup” of your hard disk C:/ on the second external
the second external one, burn an emergency CD Rom and in case of need or ransomware attack you can restore your entire C:/ drive.

3.) There is a program that completely disables the “ Defender ” which eats up a lot of system resources.

ionuttbara/windows-defender-remover
A tool which is uses to remove Windows Defender in Windows 8.x, Windows 10 (every version) and Windows 11
https://github.com/ionuttbara/windows-defender-remover

4.) O&O ShutUp10++:The free antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11 with the tool you can make your windows even faster.

 

There is no 100% "defender remover". Defender is a core system in Windows 10 & 11. You can disable it but at nearly each windows updates it will revive itself.
Sure if you computer never goes online you wont get new win update, but if you have some legit programs they will probably need to go online someday ...

BTW with 2 x M.2 SSD on the same motherboard the speed of both is equal (if the model is the same) -> fast access is guaranteed on both.

 

I did actually learned this hard way with one of my older laptops - once you adjust parition sizes, backup restore may not work properly at all,
I understand most laptops don't support 2 physical SSDs, but if they do it's really easier to backup whole system disk (also do note nowadays backup solutions don't have to backup empty space)

 

I have done it this way and I have also deactivated the updates. If there is a forced update after all, simply run the program again... then you will have peace of mind until the next update. Look in the task manager, Defender is silent and uses no resources. You can deactivate a lot and only delete a little in Windows, we agree on that trz303!

 

yes, in case you don't plan to do any updates ever later, and have time to waste troubleshooting when programs don't work due to missing Windows components in those "lite" versions

 

Understood

 

I use Win10 by Spectre for many years. It is really fast, no bloatware. Installation is a breeze. Comes with a special Spectra Toolkit / Tweaking software.
Sorry it is a reply to post #10

 

I have been recording music on computer since 1992

So, in 32 years I have learned from long, deep experience this One Fact, beyond any shadow of all doubt of any circumstance or opinion:

Make it work

LEAVE IT ALONE

Don't make it work better. Don't make it work faster. Don't add things. Don't delete things.

Get it working flawlessly and *NEVER* *EVER* *EVER* let it go online.

Isolate that sucker

Offline and working perfectly

Never update. Ever.

Get it to work

Leave it alone

Use it

Trust me .. in 32 years I have tried everything that is possible

This is the *ONE* thing I can tell you with all certainty and total truthfulness.

Make it work. Don't fuck with it.

 

GhostSpectre is probably fine, but again even their specific info states with major updates clean install is recommended