Memory usage.

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Gerry 1943
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2018/05/18 21:36:01 (permalink)

Memory usage.

Recently noticed that when I run Cakewalk by BandLab or even the Sonar X3, the system memory usage is as high as 85 to 88%.
I am running the software on a Dell Inspiron with 3.2 GHz and 8 GB.
At the present time I am working on a project that would require a few more audio and/or midi tracks and am wondering if these additions would overload the memory and crash. 
Before I proceed I want to make sure I am OK or maybe I should upgrade to 16GB, although I believe the software requirement is 4GB.
A) is this high usage normal?
B) Should I upgrade or are there any other  less expensive/invading solutions I can explore prior to upgrading?
 
Thank you all in advance for any help.
 
Gerry
 
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    BenMMusTech
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    Re: Memory usage. 2018/05/18 21:51:59 (permalink)
    I have 32 gig of ram. 8 gig is not enough.

    Benjamin Phillips-Bachelor of Creative Technology (Sound and Audio Production), (Hons) Sonic Arts, MMusTech (Master of Music Technology), M.Phil (Fine Art)
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    Cactus Music
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    Re: Memory usage. 2018/05/18 22:07:50 (permalink)
    8 GB is sort of the new bare minimum. 
    I really depends on plug ins too.
    In the dark ages we used to freeze synth tracks to free up memory
    I have 16 on my main DAW, my Laptop only has 12 but I'm not a heavy user. 
    AT most I'll have 6 VST instruments.  

    Johnny V  
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    paulo
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    Re: Memory usage. 2018/05/18 22:25:02 (permalink)
    Cactus Music
    In the dark ages we used to freeze synth tracks to free up memory
     



    Over here in the dark, I've never really found that to be such a big deal. If I'm done, then I'm done, but there's always unfreeze if it later turns out that I'm not.
     
    I have 8GB in theory, but have never used above 3.something.
     
     

      Paulo @ soundclick
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    Kev999
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    Re: Memory usage. 2018/05/19 00:47:45 (permalink)
    Gerry 1943
    Recently noticed that when I run Cakewalk by BandLab or even the Sonar X3, the system memory usage is as high as 85 to 88%.

     
    As long as it doesn't get too much higher than this then it's probably OK. My previous DAW PC (in use from 2011 to 2017) only had 6GB and it never maxed out. My current one has 16GB, but that's only because I sometimes use it for video editing, otherwise I would have settled for 8GB.

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    msmcleod
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    Re: Memory usage. 2018/05/19 00:55:27 (permalink)
    How much memory you need is largely down to the number of sample based instruments you have, although nowadays 8GB is kinda the minimum. You may be fine, but you'll be pushing it when you start to use more sample based instruments.
     
    Once you start to reach the memory limit, Windows will start swapping memory to/from disk which will kill performance.
     
    I have 16GB in all my DAW PC's and never have any memory issues.
     
    16GB is really not that expensive nowadays, but I guess it depends on what you have already - if you've got 2 x 4GB then you'll need either a 16GB stick or 2 x 8GB.
     
    If you've got 1 x 8GB and a spare slot then you're in luck. Just make sure you get the same type & speed as you've got already and you'll be fine.
     
    M.
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