Do you hear it when your RAM limits are being approached?

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Chang

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Folks: strange question – I think I’m coming to the point where I have to install a little more RAM on my computer. I have a fairly small amount of it right now. The other day, I was recording some tracks (in Cubase SL), and the playback started to crackle at about the 38th track (even when playing tracks that had previously played back with no crackle at all). When I deleted a couple of tracks as an experiment, the crackle went away. I suspect my RAM limits are being pushed to the limit, and that this is causing the crackle.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Thanks for your insights.

Chang

p.s. I know 38 tracks seems like a lot – they’re mostly different sections of the tune, rather that 38 parallel tracks.
 
well why dont you look how much ram is being used in task manager while its crackling
 
If your PC is configured properly and you are only using Cubase SX3, it is possible to get buy with 384MB. If you use your DAW to connect to the internet and do other things then you'll need a GB 1024MB or more.

My thoughts are that if you can get 38 tracks recorded you have enough memory. Bounce them down and freeze your insert effects to get the most out of what your hardware will allow. If you need to freely edit 38 tracks and are sure that you are out of memory, go buy more. A GB shouldn't break the bank these days. www.pricewatch.com
 
I had a similar problem with my setup. I'm using a Tascam FW-1804 into a AMD athlon 64 with 1gb Ram, 200gb hd loaded with Cubase SL3.0... I had issues with the 'crackle' when I was running 4 or 5 tracks... Try checking your buffer settings on your recording interface. If they are too low, it will use more of your processor to keep up with the hard drive, in turn causing the tracks to cut in and out or crackle.
 
Thank you very much, folks.

I increased the buffer size in my soundcard, and all crackle went away. Just to be on the safe side, though, I’ll invest in a little more RAM (I’m not so fluent in computers, so I don’t even know what kind to buy!).

As for specs, and assuming staring isn’t interested in my hair colour or whether I enjoy walks on the beach, I use Cubase SL 2.0, a Pentium4 2.4Ghz, ~75GB, ~480MB RAM. I go through an Edirol FA-101 soundcard, and use a little Behringer UB-502 for muting my KRK Rockit 5 monitors. My mics are 2x Apex 180, 1X Apex 435. I just built some basic bass traps and high-mid absorbers.

Thanks again for all of your help.
 
LOL, It's pretty small, i mean the RAM. 1 Gig would be way better. :D
 
RAM wouldn't really cause those crackles. You might want to open up the Cubase Performance monitor and look at CPU and disk performance.
 
I looked at the CPU performance and "disk cache" usage. CPU was up there, but not in the red. On the other hand, disk cahce usage was in the red indeed. I installed another gig of Ram (so now I have 1.5 gigs), but the issue won't go away.

The folks at steinberg suggested I install two or three updates from my version 2.0. They say this should help. I don;t have internet at home, but will get it so I can install these updates.

Does anyone else have any ideas on how to reduce disk cahce usage or CPU usage? I'm very hopeless when it comes to computers, so don;t be shy about pointing out what you might thinks should be obvious.

thanks so much
 
I have 2 gigs of ram and still somehow maxed cubase out. I didnt think that would happen :confused:
 
seems like it only happens to me when I use certain plug-ins.
 
So how does one raise the buffer settings?

A general idea of where to go would be awesome.

also, how high should I put my buffer?
I'm running a pci 2400, with 1.5 gig of ram. 200 gig harddrive.

thanks. this site really is awesome.
 
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