do I need more RAM?

  • Thread starter Thread starter antispatula
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antispatula

antispatula

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I'm using REAPER use lots of VTSi's and soundfonts.
After a certain ammount of tracks it gets too slow and choppy to be usable;
I need more tracks than my computer is able to handle.

Is getting more RAM the answer? I've got 250mb.

Thanks!
 
i imagine so, yes.

i'm not a computer wizard, but i've heard a gig shouldn't set you back too far and will make a noticeable difference? sort of depends on the rest of the specs of your pootah too though!

Andrew.
 
If the audio playback in REAPER is getting choppy as you add more tracks and more VSTs, etc., it is your processor holding you back. Try setting up enough tracks with plugs to playback that causes the audio to become choppy. Then, turn off all the VSTs. If it stops being choppy, you probably don't have enough available processor capacity to process the audio during real-time output.
 
Assuming you mean VSTi and not just some VST effect, then RAM is definitely something you need plenty of.

CPU is important. But more important for real-time effects and not samplers.

Regardless, 250MB isn't enough. Get at least 1GB. I struggle with 512MB.
 
you can get 2x 1 gig ddr2 ram sticks for around $100 now. There will be a big noticable difference with anything you do on your computer going from 256. itll be well worth it.
 
antispatula said:
hey thanks guys
I meant to say 512MB.
But anyways, I think I'll get 2GB's of ram.
Is is as simple as buying some ram off newegg or something?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148144
would that work? Or do I need to someone see if those specific cards will work with my HP?
Click to expand...

It's best to find out what RAM your current HP has in it. And then find some similar (and sometimes better) that will be compatible with the motherboard that's in there.

Some motherboards can only take certain speeds, types, etc.

Check whatever documents/etc. that came with your computer. You can also open up the case and/or take out the RAM to see what speed it is.

Or:
http://www.google.com/search?client...ut+what+kind+of+ram+i+have&btnG=Google+Search
 
More RAM can't hurt & will help when it comes to avoiding swap file times etc.
BUT it seems more a processor issue - have you anymeter on the processot usage - Cakealk Prto Audio 9 is old but has just that.
VST etc demand processor attention as does your OS.
I added more RAM to my rig but that was because I moved to XP & that demanded RAM.
Lots of folk are getting into dual core etc. - it's a case of rationing the processor you have or upgrading it.
Danny's point about the right RAM is important - I bought supposedly "compatible" RAM that wasn't - know youee motherboard, the current RAM type & the available slots for upgrading 1st.
 
Sorry gliched into a double post so I've removed the contents - sorry!
 
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So 1GB should be fine with a Firepod/Cubase? not many other programs(Internet, messenger)

I could struggle up to 2gb if I had to.
 
mikerestricted said:
So 1GB should be fine with a Firepod/Cubase? not many other programs(Internet, messenger)

I could struggle up to 2gb if I had to.
Click to expand...

Do you do a lot of MIDI/virtual instruments (VSTi's, samplers, etc)? If so, then RAM is even more important.

Regardless, I'd recommend a minimum of 1GB. It will increase overall performance of your computer a lot, not just for recording, and make everything run smoother.

2GB is more than most people need, except those who do a shitload of MIDI stuff and electronica music.
 
danny.guitar said:
Do you do a lot of MIDI/virtual instruments (VSTi's, samplers, etc)? If so, then RAM is even more important.

Regardless, I'd recommend a minimum of 1GB. It will increase overall performance of your computer a lot, not just for recording, and make everything run smoother.

2GB is more than most people need, except those who do a shitload of MIDI stuff and electronica music.
Click to expand...

Insightful, thanks. I don't do too much MIDI stuff but I have fun dabbling with it sometimes. I think I'm going to get the 2GB's of RAM and only a 120gb harddrive for now. I'm told, even with a macbook, it's easily to upgrade harddrives.
 
Check your latency settings also. this can make a huge difference.
 
Aboslultly!!!
The more ram the better I always say. Get what you can afford. When i started i had 1 gig and now Im up to 4. Ram is pretty cheap these days so but it up. :)
 
If you watch your CPU metre when using VSTs you'll find it is doing a hell of a lot of work - RAM doesn't really matter as much as a good CPU. I Gig, unless you're using Vista, is ample - more is fine but not as necessary as CPU efficiency.
Optimizing your PC for audio & adjusting latency settings help heaps too.
I was running 15 tracks on a P3 chip with 250Meg of RAM under W2000 with 10 VSTs. All went fairly smoothly but the CPU metre was reading very high %s. The memory metre was cruising along as fairly busy. When I moved to a P4 & the same RAM It didn't even blink - happily working away with quite low CPU usage.
 
If you are running Win XP, 256MB is actually about the minimum for the OS, let alone any extra software!
 
I believe Crucial ( http://www.crucial.com ) has a tool that analyzes your computer to see what kind of RAM you need. You could then buy it from them, or use that info and buy from Newegg or whoever else.
 
I couldn't get Reaper to run right with the Focusrite Saffire 10 until I bumped the RAM up to 1GB.
 
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