Software - Whether to buy 32 bit or 64 bit applications?

For the benefit of myself and anyone else who isn't well versed in the latest software developments...

Can someone in the know please explain the difference between a 32 bit software application and the same being available in 64 bit, including which computer platforms and DAW versions are affected. What are the benefits that make 64 bit essential?

Which applications or plug-ins are already available in 64 bit, and which are still plodding along at 32. Can 32 bit applications run successfully in a 64 bit OS, and vice versa?

(FWIW, I have a destop G5 running Logic Studio 8 which I dont know whether to keep as the newer software doesn't support PPC, and a Mac BookPro 2008 running OSX Lion, currently DAW free. I have some decisions to make, but it has to be Mac)

What's the deal?

With Cubase it installs both 32 and 64 bit versions and you can launch either one. As an added bonus it will allow you to run either type as plugins without wrappers, bridges and all that other stuff.

The more technical folk will have to answer the rest.

DJ Hellfire also finishes off discussing multi-core processing in that thread that Lampdog mentions, explaining other parallel concepts that work in tandem with 64bit computing and are equally important.

It's too bad that such conversations are often ruined by haughty forum members with no clue of what they are actually talking about and would rather argue, lie and defend corporate entities, as opposed to exchanging rewarding dialog.

However, do a search, I'm sure it's been discussed before on this forum and the internet is overflowing with more factual information on the subject than you'd ever likely want to know — see Lampdog's link. Making a list of 64bit plug-ins will be a laborious task, so you will do best to search manufacturer sites or something like KVR to find out about those of particular interest.

In addition, instead of risking being accused again of making up questionable, "general, cloudy and confusing" facts and this thread going to shit too, I'll just post a video that I just found whilst I was refraining from posting. A video(s) with an expert on the subject discussing caveats and benefits for those that don't want to read…

64 bit is becoming the new standard and everyone is moving that way. I would go 64 bit if I was buying new today and would skip 32 bit stuff if I were starting today. However most manufacturers are developing both. 64 bit allows for bigger sample libraries which is good for stuff like Kontakt. It doesn't sound any better or anything like that by default but you can get better sounding more indepth libraries because of it. And I am also hearing some apps that are 64 bit don't work with 32 bit plugs and vice versa. I know Live doesn't without a wrapper. Sonar comes with a wrapper. And the new 64 bit Live does not allow for 32 bit plug ins at all. I am running Live in 32 bit because I still like my 32 bit plug ins and being 32 bit is not a deal breaker for me. For others it very well can be decide what you need and work accordinly.

The 64bit version of Live is still in beta and even lots of things like M4L doesn't work with it, so they may release some form of bridge upon final release. Until then, there's always jBridge or such, if you haven't looked into those options yet.

Thanks for the info and links fellas.

Saw some folk crying over the Renaissance only being 32 bit.

I haven't been focused on software developments for a while, been doing life.

clint246clint wrote:(FWIW, I have a destop G5 running Logic Studio 8 which I dont know whether to keep as the newer software doesn't support PPC, and a Mac BookPro 2008 running OSX Lion, currently DAW free. I have some decisions to make, but it has to be Mac)

What's the deal?

not much use I can think of for that G5 in terms of compatibility of todays applications. I'd turn it into media or nas server...mbp should be able to handle music recording depending on the configuration.

Coz wrote:With Cubase it installs both 32 and 64 bit versions and you can launch either one. As an added bonus it will allow you to run either type as plugins without wrappers, bridges and all that other stuff.

This is why I prefer Steinberg products more so than anything else. I'm not criticizing other apps by saying this, just laying it out there that this is what I've used since cubase vst 3.7 and it's been solid in all aspects ever since imho.

And now that I'm running a 64 bit os, I wouldn't mind checking out PT 11 when it hits the arena (for just sakes).

You can boot up a Mac into 64bit or 32Bit on OS 10.6 and below:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3773

I've got an older '07 MBP (OS 10.6.8 ) w/ 4GB's of RAM and the only real 64bit app I use is Logic Pro 9. I tried booting into 32Bit & 64Bit and I don't notice any problems using Logic in either one due to my limitations of the max 4GB RAM.
I'm waitng for the prices to drop on a single 4GB RAM stick to install and try out the 32 vs 64 Logic test again with 6GB of RAM total.

From the link that Lampdog posted.

So the news is good for my MacBook Pro 2008 running Lion.

2011
Apple releases Mac OS X 10.7, "Lion," which runs the 64-bit kernel by default on supported machines. Older machines that are unable to run the 64-bit kernel run the 32-bit kernel, but, as with earlier releases, can still run 64-bit applications; Lion does not support machines with 32-bit processors. Nearly all applications bundled with Mac OS X 10.7 are now also 64-bit, including iTunes.

So far as the G5 PPC (OSX 10.5.8 ) is concerned, I'd rather try to sell it on before it becomes totally obselete. They are not not much anymore so maybe there is a last-ditch use for the G5 as konc3pt suggested. The Power PC's have really hit the buffers, can't even upgrade from Firefox 3.6.27 and had to find a workaround to enable YouTube videos to play (no more PPC support for Adobe Flash).

clint246clint wrote:(no more PPC support for Adobe Flash).

Hey Clint...
Can you revert back to an older version of Adobe Flash on your G5?
http://www.oldapps.com/flash_player.php

And/Or revert to an older version of FireFox?
http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php

JUKE 179r wrote:

clint246clint wrote:(no more PPC support for Adobe Flash).

Hey Clint...
Can you revert back to an older version of Adobe Flash on your G5?
http://www.oldapps.com/flash_player.php

And/Or revert to an older version of FireFox?
http://www.oldapps.com/firefox.php

Thanks Juke, but I already found a workaround online so at least I can watch YouTube vids in my old ass version of Firefox. The MBP is my main machine for most things now.

RIP PPC.