Multiple Monitors, Computers

[KenNickels]

I wasn't sure which forum to post this ...

I am seeing more and more on youtube and elsewhere, composers with multiple monitors (three seems to be the magic number). In what configurations are these employed? What apps are they using and how is the work distributed?

Hans Zimmer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuvRvTlgRcc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bayswater]

I didn't think this was a recent trend. I've always had at least 2 monitors, and more often 3. I find 4 is too many to pay attention to at once.

I don't think this is associated with any specific type of work, but more to do with the complexity of most audio / image / video applications and the need to make use of many different windows at once. Having multiple monitors reduces constant switching windows, and keeps more information in front of you at once.

[kgdrum]

I didn't think this was a recent trend. I've always had at least 2 monitors, and more often 3. I find 4 is too many to pay attention to at once.

I don't think this is associated with any specific type of work, but more to do with the complexity of most audio / image / video applications and the need to make use of many different windows at once. Having multiple monitors reduces constant switching windows, and keeps more information in front of you at once.

+1
I've been using 2 monitors since 2005 but multiple computers,slaves etc... that's more of a recent trend.

[bayswater]

Multiple computers have been used for while too, for example with Gigasampler. I believe there are people on this forum that use multiple Minis. I've had two Macs running since I got my G5 some time ago, the less powerful one hosting a UAD.

Setting up multiple monitors is easier than multiple computers, an it saves money too -- a couple of 19" monitors are a lot cheaper than one 30" monitor.

[kgdrum]

Multiple computers have been used for while too, for example with Gigasampler. I believe there are people on this forum that use multiple Minis. I've had two Macs running since I got my G5 some time ago, the less powerful one hosting a UAD.

Setting up multiple monitors is easier than multiple computers, an it saves money too -- a couple of 19" monitors are a lot cheaper than one 30" monitor.

true but it's certainly more prevalent now then it was 7 or 8 years ago excluding the Gigasampler users.

[KenNickels]

Multiple computers have been used for while too, for example with Gigasampler. I believe there are people on this forum that use multiple Minis. I've had two Macs running since I got my G5 some time ago, the less powerful one hosting a UAD.

Setting up multiple monitors is easier than multiple computers, an it saves money too -- a couple of 19" monitors are a lot cheaper than one 30" monitor.

true but it's certainly more prevalent now then it was 7 or 8 years ago excluding the Gigasampler users.

Well then, how is it being used today? Look at this rack of gear. How and by what means is the load distributed? three monitors, a s*** load of D/A converters, and God knows what apps driving them across what? A single Mac Pro? Specifics please, if you know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfvwUBNg-X8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

[kgdrum]

VE Pro and Bidule are the 2 most common apps people use to create multi computer systems from what I see.
Some users use one Mac with VE Pro or Bidule to get past 32bit ram
limitations, some network multiple computers,depending on which apps are being used 32bit,64bit etc.... Depends on users needs and usage.

[bayswater]

One thing to bear in mind is that the video is an Avid ad.

[KenNickels]

One thing to bear in mind is that the video is an Avid ad.

I'll look into it more