Re: [Linuxsampler-devel] Sustian pedal in CVS, Via C3

[David O. <da...@ol...>]

On Wednesday 12 November 2003 12.09, be...@ga... wrote:
[...]
> > > > Though we where wondering how RT capable the platform was. If
> > > > it's a mini-itx board you are using I guess that it works :)
> > >
> > > There's no particular reason to suspect problems with the
> > > architecture, and I've seen reports of VIA Eden working well
> > > with RTAI...
> >
> > Great.
>
> No need for RT Linux etc. I have a VIA C3 CPU (although in a
> different kind of mainboard, not soldered on the board) and the
> latency with a cmedia PCI (with the right lowlatency kernel) is as
> low as 3msec. (It's where I currently test LS :-) ).

Meanwhile, some mainboards come with f*cked up BIOSos and/or chipset=20
design mistakes that cause latencies of tens or even hundreds of ms=20
*even* with RTLinux or RTAI. (I have one in my prototype rheometer -=20
though I can get around it by disabling BIOS text mode emulation and=20
power management.)

My point is just that if a system runs fine with RTAI and/or RTLinux,=20
one can conclude that there are no hardware issues that are likely to=20
cause trouble with any other real time solutions, including Linux +=20
preempt and/or lowlatency. If it *doesn't* run well even with a=20
"real" RTOS, you're screwed, regardless of OS.


[...]
> > The problem with the mini-box solution is that there is no
> > possibility of connecting any other soundcard, it won't fit in
> > the box ;)
>
> See my solution :-)

I would really rather have a 1U full width rack mount box - and they=20
have one of those as well:

=09http://linitx.com/products/1u_case/


But what about noise levels? Do you actually need those fans,=20
considering that the Mini-boxes have no fans at all, except the CPU=20
fan on 800+ MHz models? Why not replace the CPU fan with a heatpipe +=20
passive radiator solution? (There should be room for one, I think...)

Actually, for a sound module, I'd really rather prefer a full width=20
case. More space (most importantly; room for a PCI riser and a proper=20
audio interface), and I don't have any other half width units to pair=20
a Mini-box with anyway.


[...]
> Yes the case is a bit
>  more expensive than a traditional case but it's the price you pay
> for reduced size, fanless power supply unit, the C3 is a bit slow
> but I think it is more than enough for your purpose.

I don't mind the prices (those cases are actually quite inexpensive=20
for this kind of stuff) - but I do mind the noise levels of all rack=20
mount cases I've found so far. (Both cases and pre-built systems.)=20
Insane. If you put them in a server room (which is what they're built=20
for), you'll have to sound-proof the server room to avoid annoying=20
people nearby... ;-)


//David Olofson - Programmer, Composer, Open Source Advocate

=2E- Audiality -----------------------------------------------.
|  Free/Open Source audio engine for games and multimedia.  |
| MIDI, modular synthesis, real time effects, scripting,... |
`-----------------------------------> http://audiality.org -'
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