Can someone help me try and articulate myself better when it comes to CPU and it's relation to 100% software based audio production.. and the same thing for Ram...

I have a 2.4ghz pentium prosessor and 1.5 gigs of ram. When I try and tell the computer techs that this isn't very much they immediately assume that my computer is broken. Because I've mentioned that my CPU gets eaten up very quickly. But they don't understand how vicious software synthesizers are like z3ta 1.4 and using 2 times over sampling.. and having 15 to 20 tracks of softsynths running at once with each track using anywhere from 4 to 8 tracks of Logic Audios built in FX.. IE: Platium Reverb, Chorus, Fat EQ etc etc. And a whack of software synths installed only adds to the problem as well..

Anyways, I was trying to ask about CPU's on a computer tech forum.. And they're trying to figure out which part of my computer is broken lol.. My computer is fine, I could purchase everything brand new tomorrow and I will still be experiencing the same problems as far as CPU demand is concerned.. Until I purchase a faster processor and add more Ram to my set up as long as I try to run this many tasks at once it will always overload. Yes I know that I can bounce my stuff to wav files.. But that's the whole reason I want a faster CPU and more Ram so that my workflow will always be optimized.

Can anyone try and explain this so that a computer technician can understand the amount of processes taking place when it comes to audio production with the tools I've mentioned... Lots of software synths... Lots of FX.. Lots of instances of software synths.. etc etc. Anwyays, I mentioned everything in the second paragraph.

Thanks.

Like this,

"See, the programs/processes I run use huge amounts of CPU and RAM.
And the more quality I want the more CPU/RAM gets used."

?

I'm not exactly sure what the point of this thread is.
BUT if you don't have enough processing power build an additional box and run fx teleport, or maybe buy yourself a powercore and use the virus powercore.
Otherwise you could afford to upgrade your processor.

And if you are trying to explain to "them", just tell them that using virtual instruments takes quite a bit of CPU horsepower.. they will understand.

es

___________________

Don't take me too seriously.

Upgrading processor & RAM is much cheaper than getting a Powercore and Virus Powercore..
Though upgrading the procesessor isn't that effective than getting the Powercore.


EDIT: If here is anyone who already didn't knew this, please raise your right hand.

Last edited by Thunder5 on May-14-2004 at 03:07

Uhh...just tell them you run very system-intensive apps, like graphical rendering, but for audio.

if they understood me than I wouldn't be here asking for help... and strangely enough, some of them work with video. But still try and tell me to take my computer in to have it fixed. So they clearly don't understand how demanding audio is when softsynths are involved.

They say things like "Getting a faster CPU won't fix my problem"


I was hoping that someone could explain the technical aspects of CPU and why these programs push it to 100% so quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by Phantax They say things like "Getting a faster CPU won't fix my problem"

And they're right.

If you get a faster CPU, then all you're going to do is run another instance of z3ta and munch up your CPU anyway. The trick is not necesarily getting a faster computer but learning how to produce within the limits of the computer.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder5 And they're right.

Thank you for elaborating.

I obviously want to understand why things like that are being said. What is the point of having a faster processor then? How are they right?

quote:

Originally posted by hey cheggy If you get a faster CPU, then all you're going to do is run another instance of z3ta and munch up your CPU anyway. The trick is not necesarily getting a faster computer but learning how to produce within the limits of the computer.

No I'm not. I already work with 15 to 20 audio tracks at the moment. And if I want to open up 21 tracks on a faster computer... Than I'm learning how to produce within the limits of that set up. There isn't anything wrong with wanting more cpu and more ram.

quote:

Originally posted by Phantax Thank you for elaborating. I obviously want to understand why things like that are being said. What is the point of having a faster processor then? How are they right?

Having a fast processor is good, but due the limitations in current processors, they don't do a real-time multithreading though it looks like the processes are run all at the same time, when they actually are run right after each other.

EG.
Part of process1 is run now, right after it part of process2 is run, and then again a part of process1 and so on...

So the gained processor "strength" goes into making it look like the processes are run simultaneously. But getting a separate card like Powercore or what soever to run certain effects or so, easens the load to the processor and therefore allows more processing power to be used to your softsynths..

Hope I didn't lost you with this.

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder5 Having a fast processor is good, but due the limitations in current processors, they don't do a real-time multithreading though it looks like the processes are run all at the same time, when they actually are run right after each other. EG. Part of process1 is run now, right after it part of process2 is run, and then again a part of process1 and so on... So the gained processor "strength" goes into making it look like the processes are run simultaneously. But getting a separate card like Powercore or what soever to run certain effects or so, easens the load to the processor and therefore allows more processing power to be used to your softsynths.. Hope I didn't lost you with this.

Yeah that's pretty much it, it's one of the reasons fx teleport is so powerful. It's like true multithreading.