Music Recording Software & Windows 8 Issue

Snosaven24

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I recently bought an HP Envy with Windows 8 preloaded on it. W8 is a complete disaster in my mind, but the point is the recording software I use is not compatible with W8. Music is my job, it's how I make a living so this stuff is vital. I need to know either how to downgrade to Windows 7 (I do not have 8 Pro, and I don't believe I have downgrading rights,) how to get a 32bit version of 8, or how to make these programs (Cakewalk, Fruity Loops,) compatible. I've been browsing different forums for a while and most of the answers I see in response to questions about compatibility are something like "Just get ViStart/StartW8/etc. etc." but that's really not the point. I have a Start Menu emulator and I know how to use W8, that is not the problem. I would like W7 back until either Windows gets their junk in order or the programs I use become compatible. Problem is I have no time to sit around and wait for one or both of those scenarios, so I'm asking for some help. Thanks in advance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
That's odd. Since Cakewalk themselves claim that Windows 8 performs significantly better (multi-digit cpu performance increases) than Windows 7, and that Sonar works perfectly unchanged.

The Cakewalk Blog » Blog Archive » Windows 8 – A benchmark for music production applications

Even more curious is that Cakewalk has a native Windows 8 version:

The Cakewalk Blog » Blog Archive » A Deeper Look at SONAR X2a – Native Windows 8 and Touch Support


And FL Studio claims Windows 8 compatibility

FL Studio

Strange we keep getting these new posters claiming all this terrible compatibility problems with Windows 8 that just don't seem to be supported by either the vendors themselves, or actual facts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I have a large number of pro audio gear - I've not encountered any compatibility issues with Win 8 Pro 64-bit.
Live 8/9, Sonar X1/X2, NI Komplete, Temper, Bidule, Omnisphere, u-he stuff, Camel Audio stuff - it all 'just works'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
Their new versions are compatible, but I can't dish out that kind of money. Sonar alone is $399. To hell with even upgrading since my programs are on a flash drive, my old computer is dead. That's my pickle. There are compatible versions but between bills, the money lost in getting a new car after a wreck, and every other expense, I'd rather get a fix for W8 or get a downgrade than blow more money than I have in my pocket right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
My how the goalposts move.

Unless you have ancient versions, they should still be compatible. Versions from a year or two ago should still just work. The first article I mentioned was written almost a year ago with the then current version, unchanged.

This problem is not unique to Windows. It happens on Mac as well. Arguably, it happens MORE often on Mac (since they release OS versions far more frequently).

Sometimes the OS has to change things that break software. They do this for security reasons, or to allow them to move forward. Sometimes they fix a bug in the OS that breaks software that was expecting buggy behavior.

The fact of the matter is, you're in an expensive industry. If you can't afford it, you might want to re-evaluate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
The passion voids the financial problems. Where there's a will there's a way. Now, I know you can downgrade to 7, and I know that if your PC isn't preloaded with W8 Pro it's going to cost you, but I'm alright with dishing out a hundred bucks or so for that, problem is how would I go about doing that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Well, Ebay is a good place to look. Just make sure it's from a person with a lot of reputation. You can also still buy Windows 7 at Amazon.

You might find your best bet is a local swap meet, or finding a local mom and pop shop that's getting rid of inventory.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I have Sonar X2 PE 64 bit loaded and working without problems on Win 8. My Roland Octa-Capture works on Win 8, my Behringer BCF2000 control surface works on Win 8, my MAudio Fastrack Ultra 8R works on Win 8. My iLok works on Win 8. My Frontier Tranzport works on Win 8 although I had to install it in Win 7 compatibility mode.

I have Melodyne and Ozone 5 and they both work in Win 8. EZ Drummer works in Win 8. Line 6 POD Farm works in Win 8.

Everything I have for recording works in Win 8!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
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