Help w/ DAW efficiency

[eclips1]

I am looking for any advice on how to get my DAW to be more efficient.

Here is what I work with:
Vegas 2.0
Wavelab 3.0
Waves Native bundle
Delta 1010
Pentium 3 500mhz proccesor
Windows 98 SE
30 gig 72000 RPM Western Digital hard drive
256 megs of Ram

My problem is when I'm mixing(15-30 tracks), and I start adding Fx's and pan and volume envelopes, my playback starts gapping. I'm using Vegas, but I don't think my software is the problem. I have tried ajusting buffering size in Vegas but it doesn't help. At the bottom of the screen in Vegas it tells you how much ram and disk space your using, and my meters are never taxed. So I'm thinking it is my proccessing power(considering either more efficient OS, and/or 1000 mhz proccessor).

Beyond what I have mentioned I don't have much knowledge of ways to tweak my computer to make it perform @ a higher level.
My goal is to be able to run up to 30 tracks with fx's and envelopes, and up to 8 busses(optional). Any feed back on what I can do, or where I can get some good info on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx

 

[Nutdotnet]

I am pretty much a newbie when it comes to DAW's but I figure I could offer you my limited advice.

As far as a more effecient OS, you are running the most effecient OS that Microsoft makes that will not give you any headaches with hardware compatability.

You may want to try to upgrade your CPU (and you may also need to upgrade your motherboard). I don't know though, 500 mhz is not that slow however. Do you have any programs in the back ground that may be hogging up your resources? Do you have a virus scanner that is running while you are recording and editing? If so try disabling it and see what happens.

I am sure a person who would be more qualified to answer your question will chime in, but I thought I would try to help.

 

[eclips1]

Thanks for the response....

I know that other OS come w/ headaches, but I was thinking that they will manage my proccessing power better. 98 is the only OS I want to run because it is the only OS that has worked for me.

I do have a virus program, I will try disabling it.

Anyone else have any suggestions???

 

[eclips1]

Thanks c7sus

I ussually use FX as aux assigns when mixing(2 reverbs and mabey a delay), except for compression and eq(or if I want just a wet signal like when I use a wah wah fx or somthing).

Once and a while Vegas will freeze and I'll control alt delete and see like 6 programs when the end task screen comes up, so I will definetly try closing all those programs 1st from now on. The most Ram Vegas has ever told me I'm using is 55 megs out of 256, so I don't know if more Ram will help, or how I can tell if Vegas is telling the truth. I do have my vertual memory set to my 30 gig drive. Also from now on I plan on defraging my drives once a week.

I'm thinking about getting a scsi drive to keep wavs on for mixing, and then store them on an ide drive. I'm thinking this will allow my programs to read the files much faster and ease up on my proccessor???

I definetly appreciate the tips I've gotten, every little bit helps!!

 

[Emeric]

Is it 15 or is it 30? At what point does it become a problem?

If you really need 30 tracks maybe you can apply effects permanently to the track, (then turn off the effect) that may be another option as well. Just make a backup of the particuliar wav or the whole song before doing so.

Check your settings in the delta control panal as well, I've had mine switch to 96K playback for no particuliar reason.. This really drags a system down. Adjust the buffers in there as well, crank everything to their maximum and see if that helps with the 'gapping' dropouts etc.