PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

I would like to get into the whole Sonic Core Scope arena after hearing some examples of music produced with the system. Where do I start? What do I need? Help!

Thanks

Well you come to the right place, welcome. Where to start? Well what are your needs? The thing about the SonicCore Platform is that it offers a lot, but the good thing is it's all flexible to your way of working.

First off are you building a DAW from scratch? What computer, motherboard, chipset are you intending to use? Do you have a full size computer case (this will become important if you go for the 14 DSP card). What's your host sequencer/recorder?

Do you like lots of synths? Or do you prefer to record real instruments? Do you work live or just in the studio? We need lots of background to help you in detail, but rest assured the SC Platform will be able to do it.

If you decide to take the plunge after a few more responses here then might i strongly suggest going for a minimum 6 DSP card (Project). If you buy second hand (or in trendy US speak 'pre-owned') you can get a good bargain plus you'll probably find lots of the software you would have to buy individually already bundled with the card. If your budget allows a 14 DSP card will come with tons of software and will blow your brain.

Also worth noting is the huge amount of third party software available and still being developed, as well as many free quality devices here at planet z.

you start out with buying a new card, or a second hand card.
If i were you, i would start out with a 3dsp card/6dsp card and go from there.
there are different cards: 3dsp, 6 dsp and 14dsp.
the more dsps, the more plugins/synths/mixer etc you can load on the card.
You can allways have mulitple cards (up to 3) in one computer, if you decide to upgrade to a bigger card.

there is a software platform to use with the card: scope. You will need another "taperecorder" software such as cubase. You can the route the tracks from cubase to the scope software and hook it up with virtual mixers, synths etc. Allt this you can do without latency! of course there is latency when going out from cubase, but next to none in scope.

OR you can use the car din XTC mode wich you can use inside cubase. Here you just insert the plugins like normal cubase vst plugins. here you get latency, but you can monitor with a scope mixer and apply effects without latency.

hope that helps!

I wouldn't start with 3 dsps unless its absolutely necessary. you get second hand 6 dsp cards pretty cheap these days, often bundled with lots more plugs than in most 3dsp packages.

found that out hard today.

But as a sampler and sample player its excellent so far...just got my 3 dsp with sfp4.0 today

yup.. the way i went:)

Please do yourself a favor.

Will you be playing VST apps? Then make sure a Core 2 Duo / 965 is used.

3DSP's is like a dog that can't hunt.

It might find the wounded quary, but will not carry it back to you !!

Jump in 4 The Big win and buy a 6 DSP card.

If you got a good paying gig a 15DSP is the true warriors way.

I started w/ a 6, and have never looked back.............9 15's later...

scope professional is the best offer coz it has both synth and mastering pack for free. if you have plan to run 2 or 3 synth in real time you must need 14dsp...
thanks.

well... it depends.. if you want to see if scope is for you, I would start out with the smallest thing and upgrade!! wouldnt you??
I used my 3dps card 4 years before upgrading!!---
well... each to its own:)

the19thbear wrote:well... it depends.. if you want to see if scope is for you, I would start out with the smallest thing and upgrade!!

yep, that was my way, too. (but I got an XTC card to add dsp power soon after the powersampler... )

-greetings, markus-

the19thbear wrote:well... it depends.. if you want to see if scope is for you, I would start out with the smallest thing and upgrade!! wouldnt you??
I used my 3dps card 4 years before upgrading!!---
well... each to its own:)

Well not necessarily. i bought a 6DSP and a 3DSP card at the same time not really knowing much about Pulsar (as it was then). In fact i only bought the 3 DSP card because it was called PowerSampler and i thought i had to have it to run the sampler. Of course it turns out the 3 DSP card just acts as a booster to the 6 DSP card.

i think if you look at value for money (ie. additional software packages in a second hand card) versus DSP power versus just starting out, i think 6 DSP cards are hard to beat. You'll feel underpowered with 3 and will want to upgrade immediately.

Just to add my "senf".

We started with a 6 dsp card in our studio and still run it n a g4 with os9.2.
I started with a Pulsar1 4 dsp which came with the minimax,bought it used for 150€.
I just bought a Pulsar 2 6 dsp card 2 month ago for 350€.( came with Poison Fm)
So i am with 10 dsp´s atm and i already want more......next will be a 14 or 15 dsp card.
I say its best to start with a used 6 dsp card,in my opinion a 3 dsp card wont show what the plattform really can do.It will just lead to frustration due to "dsp cap reached" messages.God i hate this message box.

If i have a medium budget then 6 dsp's is best starting point and it has a HUGE amount of software included when looking at its stock plugins and the choice of packs you get with it (Synths & Samplers or Mix&Master packs). One can slowly add more dsp power as needed.

If i had a large budget and planned to use more SCOPE in my music then Native and other Platforms, And/or just want to get deep into the Creamware SCOPE Platform i'd get a 15dsp or better 2 of them. Plus you'll get even more software with it.

If my budget was extremely small and i won't have much money anytime soon and absolutely could not afford the 6dsp card then i'd get the 3dsp used (Home version), especially if saving would take too long to get the 6. 3 dsp is better then Native alone but if you can afford 6 its probably best you start with it.

How many synths and effects do you wish to use at once? Wich plugins of SCOPE do you wish to own? Are you interested in Flexor or Solaris? Whats your budget?

EDIT: There are different i/o types for each card you'll need to figure out the best one for you i.e. Plus,classic,zlink. You'll also need to know if a 14 dsp card can fit into your computer if you choose it. Whatever you choose more then likely you'll end up wanting more . Be prepaired to slowly spend your life savings.

where are you located? we can speak by phone if you like.....

Wow! So many replies. Thanks!

To answer a few of the questions:

Why Core2Duo? I am running a QuadCore QX9650 w/X38 chipset—will this be a problem?

Budget? Not a big issue.

Software? Looking for good analog synths and master bus tools.

# of plugs simultaneously? Probably somewhere in the realm 20-30 max on the Scope platform.

Note: sorry I didn’t respond sooner, was away all day.

Looks like you definetly want to consider starting with a 14dsp professional card. It will give you a couple good analog synths emulations to begin with. You should be able to use quite a bit of synths and effects at once with it and if it did'nt fully meet your needs you should'nt have to expand too much. You'll also get a great set of mixing effects with that (Mix&Master Pack) but may wanna look into Brainworx and other third party SCOPE developers for more. But it definetly looks as if you may wanna start with a Professional 14 dsp card.

yes, if you can afford it, get the big card.

your computer should work very nicely indeed.

Yes sounds like 14 DSP card needed. Make sure your computer chassis can take a full-length PCI card. You like analogue synths - i think you'll like Scope: Minimax, Pro-5, proTone, Prodyssey - there are some nice non-analogues too.