Tripecac
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Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
I tried running the demo projects in Sonar 8.5.3, but keep getting dropouts. Even when I archive half the tracks, CPU usage is still 60-70%. Tweaking audio latency doesn't help much.
Does this mean that my computer (2.8 MHz Pentium 4 from 2004) is getting too old to run a normal dose of soft synths and/or effects? Or are these demo projects more brutal on the CPU than your own projects?
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
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daveny5
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/14 23:22:44
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Way too old. That's barely the minimum to get it running.
Processor Speed
Minimum:
Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz [EMT64] or AMD Athlon XP 2800+ or higher
Recommended:
Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz or AMD Phenom Quad Core 9750 2.4GHz or higher
Dave Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic. Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/14 23:32:35
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tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 20:51:37
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I just created a 16 track project, using a single soft synth (TTS-1). Each MIDI track plays through a different channel, so I have 16 sounds going at once. This is similar to how I normally use my Triton.
I didn't add any effects other than the default chorus and reverb.
I then made a 4 bar loop with all 16 instruments playing.
CPU usage hovers around 30% with peaks around 50%.
Is the high CPU usage with just that one synth instance (TTS1) a sign that my computer is too slow to tackle "normal" uses of soft synths and effects?
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 21:28:06
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Your pc and the lack of you having a sound card for audio is your problem. sound card drivers are responsible for your performance and without good drivers and a decent pc, it is what it is. Also, the higher your latency, the lower your CPU usage. The lower your latency, the higher your CPU usage You should be suing sonar with a decent audio card, like anyone of these http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#33
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 21:38:05
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Does my M-Audio Delta 44 not count as a sound card?
I increased my latency and CPU usage is down around 15%. So mixing will at least work ok.
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 22:35:53
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Yes it does count. but it was not listed on your post until now
Cj
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Middleman
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 22:38:55
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You would be happier no doubt by updating your Motherboard. Nothing worse than pushing the car to your destination. That's what an underpowered computer running Sonar is like.
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 22:43:50
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If I update the mobo, I need to reinstall XP, right?
(And also I'd need to buy a new CPU and RAM. And while I'm at it, maybe a new heat sink and power supply...)
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/15 22:53:46
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Tripecac
If I update the mobo, I need to reinstall XP, right?
(And also I'd need to buy a new CPU and RAM. And while I'm at it, maybe a new heat sink and power supply...)
Just build a new pc. Yes, youll need to reinstall all programs
Cj
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/24 19:01:00
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I just installed Sonar 8.5 on my newest computer (Core Duo E6600). The demo projects run, at about 50% CPU. Cranking up the latency to max reduces it to 30%. This is on a Creative Labs XFi Gamer card.
The best latency I can get on it (with 2 buffers) is 10ms. This is a little too much for me; I notice it when I'm playing.
Would putting a different audio card (even a newer Creative Labs card) improve the latency? Or is the bottleneck somewhere else?
(Meanwhile my "ancient" music computer gets much better latency, with its Delta 44 card).
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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johnnyV
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/24 21:01:51
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CJ will be here any minute to tell you to loose the SB card...Look at his list and you will not find that for sure. If you want to do this right purchase a proper USB ( or Firewire) interface. Otherwise its hit or miss.
Sonar X3e Studio - Waiting for Professional Scarlett 6i6Yamaha Gear= 01v - NSM 10 - DTX 400 - MG82cx Roland Gear= A 49- GR 50 - TR 505 - Boss pedalsTascam Gear= DR 40 - US1641 -Mackie Gear= Mix 8 - SRM 350's i5 Z97 3.2GHZ quad 16 Gig RAM W 8.1 home buildTaylor mini GS - G& L Tribute Tele - 72 Fender Princeton - TC BH 250 - Mooer and Outlaw Pedals Korg 05/RW
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/06/24 21:20:49
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The Core2 Duo machine is for general use (programming, browsing, games), not music. So I'm not thinking of fully DAW-ifying it. I was just curious why its latency sucks compared to that of my much older music PC, which has a real audio card. Are Creative Labs cards really that bad???
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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Tripecac
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/11/18 17:47:35
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Just assembled a new PC, where the CPU is i7-950. The Comic Book Heroes demo project now uses 22% CPU at minimum latency (5.8ms), and 16% at max latency (348ms). Soft synths are much more responsive.
So, upgrading the CPU has made a huge difference, as expected.
tripecac.com
Sonar Platinum + Komplete 9
Win7 SP1 64bit, Intel i7 950 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM, M-Audio Delta44 (for Sonar), ASUS Xonar DX (for everything else), Nvidia GTX970, 2xSSD, 3xSATA
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daveny5
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Re:Dropouts in Demo Projects (high CPU usage)
2010/11/18 23:08:16
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Tripecac
So, upgrading the CPU has made a huge difference, as expected. Exactly as I told you it would.
Dave Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic. Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
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