CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

Hi All,

We finally finished a couple of long-standing projects, so I thought now would be a great time to update ProTools to the latest version (2019.10 or .12) I was hoping that the updates to the AAE and firmware update to the HDX cards (that came with 2019.5?) would resolve some of the CPU issues we have had ever since we bought the HDX set up and the then new Mac Pro 6,1 two years ago. But so far it appears not.

We’re on High Sierra, with 2 x HDX cards in a Sonnet TB2 PCI chassis. I cannot run most sessions at a low buffer setting due to CPU spikes and 9093, 9171 errors etc. Since doing the update today, CPU usage generally (according to PT’s CPU usage meters!) appears to have dropped significantly, but on lower buffer settings (even on 512 in some instances) there are regular CPU spikes and errors which halt playback. Recording audio isn’t too much of an issue at the higher buffer setting, we can just route directly to the stereo bus and there's next to no latency whilst recording. But for tracking midi on VIs, the latency is a big issue at higher buffers.

I have established that certain plug ins are causing more issues than others. Altiverb is one (but not the only one) for example. I have a session with just 2 audio channels, 2 aux channels and two instances of Altiverb which will not run at the lowest buffer setting on PT HDX without regular CPU spikes and error messages, even spikes occasionally at 256 (but is fine on any native system I have tried it on)

What I would like to establish, is whether it just our PT HDX system, or whether this issue can be replicated on other PT HDX systems? I’d be particularly interested to know whether the issue is the same with a PT HDX system running the HDX card in a Mac Pro 5,1 rather than in a TB / PCI expansion chassis on a newer Mac.

If anyone (who has HDX cards and also Altiverb) cares to take a look and report back, it would be much appreciated. Try running the session in loop playback at the lowest buffer setting.

Also - since updating today, I have noticed that PT kind of freezes for a minute or so (spinning beach ball) after changing the buffer setting - something that wasn’t happening before.

Anybody else getting this after the firmware update that came with (I think) PT 2019.5?

Download link
https://we.tl/t-JECgUL2hJv


Many thanks

Dan

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

This is my only gripe with HDX, I wish I could get low latency vi’s as well as my audio streams

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

PT 2020.x is right around the corner. I recommend you wait for it.

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

I'd like to think so. But PT12 didn't cure it. nor did various versions of 2018 or 2019. So I'm not going to hold my breath!!

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

its a moon shot won't hold my breath on the cpu spikes fix!

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

Sure. Most often the cpu spikes problem goes away once you move all 3rd party plugins to unused folder :cool: tedious job to find out which plugin needs update but 99.99% sure it is not one of Avid's

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

I’m currently in the middle of this process myself :-)

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

Success!
I've just been through the plug in folder, updating this and that. I discovered that certain Waves v9 plug ins do not play well with ProTools 2019.12, especially Abbey Rd Plates and Kramer Tape. These were both causing spikes in the CPU meter and then a variety of errors. I updated all waves to v11 and got rid of the v9 and v10 waveshells, and now it can happily run all of our multi track sessions at the minimum buffer setting with stable CPU usage showing (far lower than on PT2018) with just one exception - if an instance of Altiverb is active on an audio track, it will not allow uninterrupted playback on the minimum buffer setting. In this instance, to play back without errors the buffer size must be raised to the highest setting to allow reliable playback. Multiple altiverbs on multiple aux channels is not an issue.

So, apart from everything else that's going on right now, I'm delighted. I've been wrestling with these issues for two years! I might have a drink to celebrate.

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

I'll join you.

I have been so much happier once I ditched the WavesHell altogether. It was good with TDM but the latest versions are nothing but headache

Re: CPU spike and errors on PT Ultimate/HDX system
 

Do any of you guys have Melodyne installed?

I’ve been pulling my plugins around over the past few days and since putting melodyne back in I’ve been getting 9093’s again.