scruplesindisguise Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Hi there, I know this is a topic much discussed, but I'm beginning a new thread because I have looked EVERYWHERE on here and on the internet, and my problems are still not resolved. I'm working on a Mac Pro (4,1, I believe!) system, with a 2.66 GHz Quad-Core processor, and 12 GB RAM 1066 MHz DDR3, with 3 640GB HDs — the three that were in installed into my machine when I first purchased it. One's my system drive, one's sample libs, the other is projects. Despite having the machine for 3.5 years now, I'm still somewhat of a novice, so forgive me if I ask anything stupid. For quite some time now, I've been having problems with Logic. I work with 40+ track orchestral projects, chiefly using Eastwest Gold, Omnisphere, Ivory Grands and Albion I (via Kontakt). I often work with 5-15 minute videos in my projects too. I usually have by I/O buffer size at around 512 samples, sometimes 1024, simply because the CPU just can't hack it, and have tried all of the buffer 'ranges'; I usually stick to 'Medium' though. Depending on the amount of tracks, sometimes it runs sluggishly, other times it just overloads. My Mac on the whole these days runs rather sluggishly, but that I can deal with — I just can't work fluently in Logic. That said, I feel that if I reach a solution here, it could solve both of these issues... More info: I often use the Freeze tracks function; I add a blank audio track to my projects to be on when just listening back; I've reduced the amount of undo steps in Logic's preferences. As you can see, I have done my research, it just simply hasn't solved my problem! From recommendations, I hear an SSD(s) may help; but I'm just concerned that this won't improve CPU per se. Upgrading the processor would be amazing (albeit costly), but it's not exactly certified by Apple, and enters 'Hackintosh' territory. A new system is out of the question, for the simple reasons that 1) I'm a recent graduate so as you can imagine, funds are low, and 2) I've only had this bloody system for 3.5 years! I know that there are MUCH better systems are around these days, and if I had the cash I would upgrade. Furthermore, if I was to buy the system now, I would ensure that a top-level processor would be my top priority. Alas, that's out of the question now. I have this system, and I want to improve it. Please help me. Thanks so much. Casey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eriksimon Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I think you are simply driving your machine to its' limits, you're using some heavy stuff, and plenty (though certainly not excessive) tracks. Also, freezing too many tracks can backfire, as frozen tracks are actually big 32 bit audio files, that also have to be read from your project disk. So whenever you have sluggishness or overloading, try to watch the CPU and Disk Load meters carefully (in a floating window: doubleclick on the minimeters in the transport/controlbar), too see if it is the CPU or the (project)disk or both that are maxing out. If it is the disk (too many freeze files), then a good strategy would be to bounce down sections (turn two, three, eight or more tracks into one track (=1 audio file). Also be aware that the onboard effects (reverb) used in those sample libraries' players (Kontakt, Kontakt player, etc) can be very taxing on the CPU, more so than Logics' own. I try to avoid using build in fx on samplers, as they don't really offer anything I cannot find amongst Logics' insert effects. Hope that helps a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scruplesindisguise Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 Eriksimon, Thanks for your response. I'm aware of the freezing too many tracks thing, too. Consequently, I don't freeze too many. In this instance in particular, that has 40 EW or Albion I tracks (no Omnisphere or Ivory — I know these are particularly consuming), I'm not using any of the libraries' FX, only EW Spaces in busses assigned to orchestral families, + one instance of Space Designer (the latter of which I'm aware is more consuming of CPU). It is CPU meter that is pushing the limits...the HD meter shifts occasionally. Thanks again for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Reid Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 At least in the case of Omnisphere, I found that getting more RAM for my system helped (as did a SSD that my Omnishpere, Trillian and BFD2 sample libraries reside on). I maxed it out at 32 gigs, and it actually didn't cost all that much (relatively). Now, I got that extra RAM more for my work as a designer (working with massive Photoshop files), and the music I make is not as "heavy" as yours, but being able to go into Omnisphere & Trillian and change the memory setting to "no limit" did help. I'd have to say that the SSD made a more obvious change, as it dramatically shortened sample load times. Anyway, I got the memory here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1066-memory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scruplesindisguise Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 John, Thanks for your help on this. I'm from the UK, and mainly use crucial.com for my RAM upgrades — but they only offer 4GB, which means I'd only be able to have 16GB tops. Will definitely look elsewhere. As for SSDs, that's increasingly looking like my best bet. I just read somewhere that it won't help the CPU bar in Logic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Reid Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Yeah, a SSD won't do anything to help the CPU, but it will make a "perceived" difference, mainly in faster loading times, etc. I use a 120 gig OWC Mercury SSD for my boot drive, and use an older 120 gig SSD (OCZ Vertex 2) for the VIs (Omni, Trillian, RMX, BFD2). I'm still using platter drives for my work files and song project files. 16 gigs might be enough to make a difference in your case, but with RAM being fairly reasonable thee days, the more the merrier... but again, I should stress that I maxed out my RAM more for my day job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scruplesindisguise Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 John, Thanks again for a very informative reply: the next question I was going to ask was about how to go about replacing 3 HDs with SSDs. Obviously 3 SSDs would be great, but it sounds quite spot on how you've gone about it. As for RAM, I've got 2x4 and 2x2. If I can get my hands on some 8s, may replace the 2s and get myself 24GB. Like you say, the more the merrier! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokyfrog Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I've had problems with Omnisphere since Mountain Lion/LPX - I now get crackles on LP9 with patches that worked smoothly before the "upgrade". I've got by with 12Gb of RAM for ages so have ordered more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.