How to optimize Pro Tools 9 with a mac pro

[tokolosh]

Hello I'm using a mac pro 8 core 2.26 with 6GB ram with pro tools 9/ motu ultralite

I find that the computer is not running very fast with 40 stereo tracks and a QT film. I was wondering if there is a document on how to optimise the program?

[nst7]

Are you using an external hard drive for your audio?

Have you set the processors to be at least one less than the total available?

Have you followed the general optimizing outline found here:

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=240754

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by nst7

Are you using an external hard drive for your audio?

Have you set the processors to be at least one less than the total available?

Have you followed the general optimizing outline found here:

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=240754

I will be going to a Mac Pro from an I mac . Specifically (the single Westmere 6 core) So when you say "set processors one less" are you referring to the number of actual processors or the cores? Thanks, Kev

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by K Roche

I will be going to a Mac Pro from an I mac . Specifically (the single Westmere 6 core) So when you say "set processors one less" are you referring to the number of actual processors or the cores? Thanks, Kev

Cores. In some cases you can even go down to virtual cores. So you system will probably show 1 processor, 6 cores, 12 virtual cores with hyperthreading. Start setting it at 11 cores and see if that improves. Some folks go as far down as half of their cores to leave enough processing for the operating system and non-realtime plugins. I have 8 cores (16 virtual) and I set mine at 14. Working fine.

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

Cores. In some cases you can even go down to virtual cores. So you system will probably show 1 processor, 6 cores, 12 virtual cores with hyperthreading. Start setting it at 11 cores and see if that improves. Some folks go as far down as half of their cores to leave enough processing for the operating system and non-realtime plugins. I have 8 cores (16 virtual) and I set mine at 14. Working fine.

Hey Thanks , Kevin

[nst7]

Since that mac has hyperthreading, it will show up as 12 virtual cores. You can start with setting 11 for rtas processing, and see how that goes. Some people have success with setting it for a little less, like 9, etc. Also, you might set those virtual cores to run at higher than the default of 85%.

Other than that, it looks like from your specs you have a glyph drive, which is fine.

But that computer should be running way better than that, so there might be something else going on.

[tokolosh]

Great thats very useful info guys

In regards to cores, I thought PT will only use up to one core and maximum of 4gb of ram. I have 8 cores and 6gb of ram, so what you are saying is that I could actually make a better use of them.

[tokolosh]

here's how I set pro tools in attempt to get more juice from my system:

Please correct me if I got this completely wrong:


Playback engine:

Buffer size -1024 samples (i don't play instruments, I work with QT videos mainly)

Processors: 14 processors
Usge limit 99%

Host Engine - ticked ignore errors, ticked minimise additional latency

Delay compensation - short

DAE - level 2, cache size - normal

Plug-in streaming buffer -level 2



My computer is a Mac 8 core 2.26 with 6 gig ram

[tokolosh]

Anyone?

[pgripp]

I've just started using the 6-core Westmere Mac Pro that you're talking about. My minimal experimentation has led me to use only 3 of the possible 12 cores. I'm not sure why this works best, but it does for me. I've been keeping the H/W buffer at 128, CPU usage at 99%. I tried many different combinations of cores and CPU usage.

I use Kontakt 4 a lot, as well as Waves and TRacks plug-ins.

I hope that helps.