I originally posted this as a response to another post, but I think it got buried, so I am going to repost under its own topic...
I am running into processer starvation...I am using a PIII 1 GHz, and I can get between 24 and 32 tracks on Cubase/32 5.1 just fine...but then when I start adding plugins...things start going downhill in a hurry...I can get about 4-5 plugins (depending on the plugin ) before I start getting pops and crackles...The CPU indicator in Cubase is still below about 50%, so I am wondering if it is the hard drive...Since my audio storage drive is "Drive D:", the hard drive indicator in Cubase shows 0% usage (I am assuming it monitors the C: drive by defalut...anyone know how to change that, btw?). So I really have no idea how hard my hard drive is working. But since I only start having problems with the extra plugins I am assuming it is CPU problems. (I use mostly WAVES plugins...DirectX, *not* the new beta VST ones...)
Now more specifically to my questions:
1) How to change the Cubase hard drive indicator to drive D:?
2) Does this sound like a CPU problem? With only 50% usage? How about adjusting the buffer settings in Cubase?
3) I am considering going to the Universal Audio plugins using their DSP card...anyone had any experience with it...I keep hearing good stuff, but would like to hear from someone that is actually using it rather than someone "who knows someone that is using it".
Thanks! And everyone have a Happy Holiday (I am off work for 2 weeks...time to get some recording and mastering done! ).
DH
Comments
I feel your pain James!!! lol!! Plugins..especially Waves..kill
I feel your pain James!!! lol!! Plugins..especially Waves..kill your processor power greatly!! There's nothing you can do except get a dual proc system!! Sucks dont it!! The best thing to do is to try and minimize the amount of plugins you use or bounce the selection with the effect and disable the effect once it's done..the drawback to the later is that you have to make sure you are satisfied with the results of the bounce down with fx.
Make sure you use sends instead of inserts...have multiple tracks share the effect so that you dont have too many Waves or other direct X plugins open at once.
From what I have heard the UAD is an amazing card and greatly helps with processor power.
If you are getting pops and clicks then raise the buffer size of your audio card to help with the large amount of data being buffered to disk.
The disk useage will show the performance of the disk where the audio is streamed from if I am correct. Mine never shows much activity in Nuendo(which should be the same since it is a Steinberg product)
Make sure you defrag that drive too!! that will help as well..
With my PIII650 I can get a song with 34+ tracks and I add plugins and my CPU useage goes close to 95%!!!! I dont get any clicks or pops tho that might be a Nuendo vs Cubase thang! Then again..you do have DMA set for the drives right? Just checking
Opus