Plugin Question

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velouria08
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2009/07/24 14:33:52 (permalink)

Plugin Question

Hi Guys, I was wondering... Do plugins use up cpu even when they are not actually "working"??

For example if you have a track with a compressor on it but the track does not start until half way through the song. Is the plugin using up cpu just sitting there idle?

If so is there a way to automate plugins to only turn on when they are needed and then turn off again when a clip finishes?

Thanks
#1

7 Replies Related Threads

    DW_Mike
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/24 14:46:26 (permalink)
    Yes they do use up CPU while sitting idle. They must because thats how the "Bench Mark" test's are done. By inserting numerous plugs till your system feels the load.
    And no, there is no way that I'm aware of to automate the on/off of a plug-in yet. 
    I could be wrong on this last part though so if anyone knows how please correct me.

    Mike 

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    #2
    velouria08
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/24 15:23:55 (permalink)
    Wow that's a bit of a bummer

    Thanks for the info anyway.
    #3
    bdickens
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/24 15:51:26 (permalink)
    You could always duplicate the track and apply the effect destructively. The reason you would apply the effect to the duplicate is in case you want to go back.

    Byron Dickens
    #4
    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/24 15:53:11 (permalink)
    You can "freeze" a synth..... but a plug in????? IDK....

    A quick solution is to save the plug in as a preset...give it a new name of course. Then you can delete it easily and pop it back in without having to go through and reset all the parameters.

    But yes.... they do eat up CPU while doing nothing. Same with synths.

    I generally will render the track to audio once I have it sounding close enough for R&R. Then I'm free to delete the plugin, synths, etc...and work with a straight up audio track. I have had to do this since several of my plugs are very CPU intensive, the ones I use for mastering....

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    #5
    ohhey
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/24 16:08:43 (permalink)
    Yes, the same if true with muted tracks. It has to stay "active but silent" in case you unmute while the project is playing.  The only way to make the plugins inactive is to set the track to "Archive".  Even plugins in the effects bin have a bypass button and again they have to stay in the loop in case you press that button while the project is playing.  If Sonar tried to load or unload plugins on the fly while playing it would cause a glitch and delay in the action.
     
    Software synths are the same, it doesn't matter if any MIDI is going to them or not, if they are in the project they are using CPU.
     
    I might be possible that some synths and plugin would use a little less CPU when not processing audio but that would depend on how the plugin was designed by the developer that is not something Sonar can dictate.
    #6
    Spaceduck
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/25 07:39:57 (permalink)
    ohhey

    The only way to make the plugins inactive is to set the track to "Archive". 


    That's what I do. First I bounce the clip+FX to a new track (destructively like bdickens said), then I archive the original track. Saves a ton of CPU, and if you ever change your mind about the FX, it's easy to un-archive the track and do it over.
     
    Another idea (kinda sloppy, but it'll work) is instead of putting your compressor plugin on the whole track, you can just apply it to the clip. That way, as soon as the clip has finished playing, the FX will turn off.

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    #7
    velouria08
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    Re:Plugin Question 2009/07/26 23:24:55 (permalink)
    Great suggestions here guys! Thanks a mill, really appreciate it : )
    #8
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