PT8 with iMac 10.6.8, 4GB RAM (All optimizing DONE) Still Getting CPU Overload-HELP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Athos
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Athos

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Hi Guys,

I'm doing everything correctly that I know of. Here are my specs first (then my issue):

FW800 to rugged external HD.
Mac OS X, snowleopard, with 3.06 GHz Core 2 duo processor.
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra connected with USB to the high-speed bus port.
iLok (just updated)
PT8 M-Powered 8.0.3 - all updates recent (as far as I know...)
Airport off, Bluetooth off.
All optimizations with Firevault, etc., done!
Adjusted Playback Engine to 512, with 1 processor, 85% (have tried other settings to no avail)
DAE Buffer, one less than defalut, but have tried other combinations to no avail.

I just went and bought a new wired keyboard and mouse to see if it was the bluetooth interfering, and it's a little better, but I still get the playback halt with the message, to increase... everything...

So my question is - after researching this on line for a few days - what am I missing? I've tried everything. The only plugins I use are the ones that came with it, and a couple Masey plugins which are qualified for PT8.

Does anyone have an actual fix for this? I've got 21 tracks, two of which are instrument tracks with the pro tools db-33, and baby grand piano pluggins going. I do have a lot of comp and limiting plug ins going. I used to do the same thing with my old Dell in ProTool LE several years ago and never really had an issue.

Can someone tell me that if I add RAM, maybe 4 more gigs, if that would actually help??? If that's all it takes, I'll do it.

i hate have to fuck with the Playback Engine all the time. That's STUPID!

After using LE on a PC, I must say I'm disappointed with PT 8 because it seems like I've done is wrestle with it.

I would be grateful for anyone with a solution to this issue.
If 4gigs of RAM isn't enough:wtf:, and I need to get more, then so be it.... As long as someone can tell me for sure if that will help significantly.

Thanks much!!!
 
Trash preferences.

Open utilities > activity monitor and watch the stats when you're running a session. See if your CPU usage is actually maxing out, or if your Ram is running out.

Did you run with both cores active at any point?
 
Yes, I've done that. CPU shows no spikes. In fact it hovers around 30% while playing and then chokes with no sign on the meter.

I just found, and have begun downloading a new update from Avid for MPowered that I didn't know about, too. Maybe that will help.

Thanks!!
 
Have not trashed prefs yet.... But I'll try that.
Do you have to do that every time you open PT? Or just occasionally?
Which folder are they in?

Thanks!!
 
Just when it's broke.

I linked you an automated tool that'll do it all for you.

Honestly can't express the importance of trashing the prefs. It's solved a lot of annoying problems for me.
 
I believe it, but only because it seems unlikely....
Thanks for you input. Much appreciated!
Still downloading the update.
I'll do it in hour or two.
 
No probs. The updates certainly worth doing, whether it helps or not.

Also, are you certain you're on the most recent maudio drivers?

If all else fails, you might consider running the apple diagnostics (reboot holding D, or reboot from the apple disc) just to rule out memory failure etc.
 
More ram may help a bit, but from my understanding, Pro tools is still a 32 bit written program so it can only access 3-4 gigs regardless of how much is in your unit. Adding more may help in the sense that your OS can use some with leaving a full 4 gigs to pro toolss as opposed to have your OS and Pro tools share 4 gigs.
 
OK, that makes sense.

I'll try Steenamaroo's tips, and also check the update for the fast track ultra drivers....

did you have that link to the prefs trashing program handy, Steen?

Thanks!!!!
 
Well, trashed the prefs and seem to be able to run the whole tune at 1024 with one processor at 85% with NO stops. Seems to have worked. So, THANKS for taking the time to help me out.
Ciao!
 
Darn... spoke too soon. Still get the cpu overload.... but it doesn't seem as often.
Maybe the native plugin instruments just take up too much juice?
I don't know what else to do.

How can you find out what's running in the background on a Mac -- other than the window that shows the normal functions. Feels like there's something running in the background that's causing a spike.

*sigh* I thought we had it...
 
Activity monitor in utilities will give you a breakdown of all running processes.

Have you run it using two processors, and is 85% as high as it will go? I run mine on two cores at 99% if I remember right.

There is a chance you could just be pushing the machine as far as it will go, or even bottlenecking the hdd.

People say 5400rpm drives have a theoretical 80 billion simultaneous tracks or some shit but i still have sessions that run on my ssd, but not on the standard 5400rpm laptop drive.

Have a look at cpu usage (baring in mind you're focussing on one core),
check the system memory usage
and take a look at disk activity while the session is running. (read/sec and write/sec)
 
I don't have 99% as an option in the drop down for that. There is 100% (I think - I'm not at home right now to check).
I think I've left it on one processor so far since I started posting here. I read that Pro Tools does not like even number processors, so if you have two, just run one.

I've watched the cpu meters and really not much going on above 35-ish %. I've had the cpu monitor gonig while running a song, and watched for spikes at the stop, but there's nothing.

When I get home tonight, I'll try it with two processors (which I've done before, a couple days ago before I updated Pro Tools, and did not make a difference. But I'll switch it over again and see what happens).

Since the updates, and the prefs trash, it seems to go longer without stopping. But I can't believe I'm pushing it that hard, unless the Pro Tools instrument pluggins suck up a ton somehow...

i'll get back to ya tonight. Thanks!
 
Sorry to hear it!

Don't forget the other stuff I listed. Apple diagnostics, Hdd transfer rates, memory usage etc.

I'd do the apple diagnostics first to rule out faulty ram etc if your convinced this isn't normal.
 
Ordered some RAM, 4 gigs (because it was cheap) from crucial.com.... Will arrive Tues. We'll see if that makes a difference.
I've checked read/write... Something writes and spike the usage, but I've check the hidden processes, and can find nothing. Might be something within ProTools, like a reverb plug-in or something.
Years ago, with LE, they had an issue with "Room2" RTAS plug-in, it would spike the usage. The fix was to insert any other plug-ing before the reverb with "room2" on it.
I'm wondering if there's some other issue like that...
Hoping the RAM helps.

There HAS to be other people with this set up, with these problems. Pro Tools 10 looks pretty sweet for 1k bucks... eesh.
 
Unless your memory usage is showing as max or dangerously close, more ram isn't going to help I'm afraid.

Something is spiking on hard drive IO? Does that coincide with the crashes?

Where is your audio. Internal or external drive?
 
Have you turned off the pro tools automatic back up feature? In rare cases I have seen it screw sessions up from time to time.
 
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