Pro Tools 8... What the Fuck?

  • Thread starter Thread starter killthepixelnow
  • Start date Start date
killthepixelnow

killthepixelnow

Do it right or dont do it
I don't get it, I bought a new iMac with 4Gb of RAM and now I'm experimenting problems of Buffer Size. I used to work with an 20" iMac Intel Core 1, with only 2Gb of RAM and the shit crashed frequently when using lots of plugins.

PT8_WTF.png


PT8_Playback_Engine.png


This time UI just have one track and izotope ozone on the insert point. This imac has 4Gb of RAM, I can't belive it crashes. WTF!!!

iMac_Specs.png


:mad:
 
Hey, now it's solved. Can you explain why does it work by using less processor?

BTW, you from THE Platinum Samples? :D
 
It is always a good idea to set the processors used to the amount you have minus one. This is because many plugins do not rely solely on pro tools to get processing power, so leaving one aside allows those plugins, and anything else you are running (firefox, quicktime ect) to use that processor. I suspect the isotope plugin utilizes resources outside of PT.
 
I have an aluminum iMac with 4GB of RAM and run ozone 3 and 4 and a bunch of other plug-ins (which I know you really shouldn't do) and have never gone through what you have, both processors are configured in PT8.

I have to think it's the way it's configured. What else are you running in the background? What external disk are you using?
 
What other USB devices do you have connected? Any hubs?
 
This is a common issue - and recommended by Digidesign for most VI's

Rail
 
PlatinumSamples said:
This is a common issue - and recommended by Digidesign for most VI's

Rail
Click to expand...

Yes, conceptually it makes total sense. If you don't allow PT to chew up both processors then that leaves one for non-PT processing (which plug-ins are). I was only saying that there could be other resources competing for CPU cycles and took take a look at that.
 
I'm only running Pro Tools. I even deactivate the Extensis Suitcase. Recording goes directly to a partitioned internal drive (1Tb HD divided into 4)

Concerning the USB ports, let's see, I have the following connection: MBox2, External HD configured for Time Machine, MBox2 Factory Key USB, and the last one is free. My wireless keyboard is USBless :(
 
killthepixelnow said:
I'm only running Pro Tools. I even deactivate the Extensis Suitcase. Recording goes directly to a partitioned internal drive (1Tb HD divided into 4)

Concerning the USB ports, let's see, I have the following connection: MBox2, External HD configured for Time Machine, MBox2 Factory Key USB, and the last one is free. My wireless keyboard is USBless :(
Click to expand...

I turned time machine off when I'm running PT... I found it chewed up a ton of cycles, especially on a USB drive and record to a FW attached drive (digi defnitely does not recommend writing to the internal drive)
 
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killthepixelnow said:
I'm only running Pro Tools. I even deactivate the Extensis Suitcase. Recording goes directly to a partitioned internal drive (1Tb HD divided into 4)

Concerning the USB ports, let's see, I have the following connection: MBox2, External HD configured for Time Machine, MBox2 Factory Key USB, and the last one is free. My wireless keyboard is USBless :(
Click to expand...

I'm 99% certain the iMac can only have one physical internal drive. Therefore recording to that drive is a bad idea - even if it is partitioned. In fact partitioning it may make any problems worse. You should be recording to a firewire external drive, not the system drive.

Remove the USB hard drive whilst you're using Pro Tools, and switch off Time Machine and buy a suitable firewire drive for recording to!

Furthermore here are a couple of other tips to try:

In system prefs, set the "Put Computer/Display to sleep" to never
Disable "Put disks to sleep when possible"
Switch off airport and bluetooth (yes I know this will render your keyboard/mouse useless, try using a USB one)
Finally try moving your Mbox to a different port.
 
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pezking said:
In system prefs, set the "Put Computer/Display to sleep" to never
Disable "Put disks to sleep when possible"
Click to expand...


Godammit, I forgot to disable those features!!! I wals also suspecting about Time Machine but I was not sure about that, the post in here confirm that is a BAD idea to have that software working while using Pro Tools. About the bluetooth thing I cannot afford a new keyboard and mouse by now so I will continue using the one that came with the iMac.

Thanks a lot for the answers, now I can work with less stress :cool:.
 
Another thing that I found made a noticeable difference with the iMAC was disabling the Airport interface (just right click and turn it off) if you don't need network access while using PT. As for the bluetooth, I'm using a bluetooth keyboard and mouse without issues. Yeah I figure I could squeeze a few more processor cycles by using cables, but it would really mess up my desk.;)

And as Pezking pointed out, get a FW drive but check the compatability matrix at Digi before you buy one. Look about half way down this page for guidance;
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=3&langid=100&categoryid=35&itemid=36933
 
bradch00 said:
Another thing that I found made a noticeable difference with the iMAC was disabling the Airport interface (just right click and turn it off)
Click to expand...

I've got an Intel MacMini and if it will take a dump if airport is on if i'm doing more than just playing back audio files - once a few plugins as gone on, i've got to disable airport.


lame.
 
Anyone know if installing more RAM on a iMac (going from 4gigs to 8) would help this issue?
I've tried everything, and I still get a lot of those exact "Overload" messages as it comes to a grinding halt.
Annoying as hell. 4 gigs of RAM isn't enough? Seriously, WTF? I use Reason slaved to ProTools 8 on my Snowleopard iMac. I'm about to head to the apple store right now and get a wired keyboard and mouse so I can turn off the bluetooth. Does the bluetooth really suck that much processing? Any other tips on this issue?
How do you find out on a Mac, what other things are running behind the scenes? I know how on a PC, but I've only had a Mac for a year and a half, and because they don't go bad, I haven't been forced to be an expert with them like I was with the PC....(which died from a virus :-S).
Thanks guys!
 
Athos said:
Does the bluetooth really suck that much processing?
Click to expand...
No. Save your money.


Athos said:
Anyone know if installing more RAM on a iMac (going from 4gigs to 8) would help this issue?
Click to expand...
It wont, unless you're genuinely running out of ram, which i doubt.

Athos said:
How do you find out on a Mac, what other things are running behind the scenes?
Click to expand...

Go to utilities (shift-apple-u in finder) and open activity monitor.
This will give you a breakdown of cpu, ram, and hdd activity.


Did you set the RTAs processors to a lower number?

Trash the Pro Tools preferences. I can't believe that hasn't been mentioned so far.

There's an automatic tool for it here.
 
Pro tools will currently not "see" more than 4GB RAM as it has not been ported to 64bit addressing. That being said, Kontakt 4-5, some Spectrasonics apps, Vienna Ensemble Pro and some others, will run as separate processes outside the 4GB PT limitation, making additional RAM relevant.

As was posted previously start with... prefs, databases....
What audio drive are you recording to? (FW external, USB external, internal system?)....
 
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