CPU Usage Spike
 

Hi all.
Not a newbie, I've been using ProTools for more than ten years, and building systems to run PT on.
Runing LE 7.1, with a 002
Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
512 RAM
Approved chipsets, video card, etc.
Windows XP is SUPER tweaked to do nothing but run PT.

I am getting TOTALLY random build ups in the CPU meter during mixing. It builds up from about 20%, higher, higher, then spikes, and will continue to spike every time I attempt playback.
If I reboot the system it clears out, but innevitably the behavior returns.
I've tried a clean install with just default plugins; same results.
I've done the required searching, etc, and can find nothing.

ANYONE out there with some answers?

Thanks,
CharlieX

Re: CPU Usage Spike
 

Sounds like it could possibly be denormalization, but without more details about what you are doing/using in the session, it's only a guess.

Re: CPU Usage Spike
 

Thanks spkguitar,
Hadn't even heard of denormalization until today.
This problem began once I upgraded to 7.1 from 6.4

The session I'm mixing is nothing fancy. A few compressors and EQs, with 3 effect busses for reverbs and delays. Nothing even remotely "cpu hoggish" on board. Does that give any more clues?

CharlieX

Re: CPU Usage Spike
 

Ok, searched for "denormalization".
Going to try the "dither before reverb" solution.
How will this affect the sound of the verb once everything is bounced to 2 track?
Any clues?
Thanks,
CharlieX

Re: CPU Usage Spike
 

I got the same problem with the TL Space Reverb, I have to use a dither plugin before the reverb, I don`t know anything else to get rid of that problem. So far I understand it`s a computer hardware problem more than a software problem.

Re: CPU Usage Spike
 

Did you ever get a better solution to this? I have the exact problem. It seems to only happen over time, when the CPU get's warm, maybe. I've tried completely making the Reverb Bus inactive and the problem is still there. This only happened with Pro Tools 7.Oh Oh. Maybe it's a hyper threading issue.