Normal for CPU Overload Error??

[egiordano]

I have what I thought was a really powerful computer: a 2015 MacBook Pro with 2.7 GHz processor and 16 GB of RAM.

However, if I have a session with about 6 or more tracks and even just a couple plug-ins, I get the "CPU Overload Error..." message very quickly with any Hardware Buffer size of less that 512 samples and even with that buffer size I get it every so often. This isn't really acceptable because at that Buffer Size I get noticeable latency.

Is this normal? Is there any chart or info available which shows, for certain computer specs, how many tracks and plug-ins one can expect to be able to run at different Hardware Buffer Sizes.

I just want to know if this is normal so I can start troubleshooting why my system would be working "abnormally". Thanks!

[JuanPC]

What Soundcard?
How many cores?
How big is the RAM disk cache?
SSD?
What SSD?

http://www.dawbench.com/audio-int-lowlatency.htm

[egiordano]

Not sure which sound card but I'm using the Apogee Quartet as my interface.

I have 2 cores. The processor is an 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5

From my System Information:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro12,1
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.7 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 16 GB


I have two of these memory chips:
Size: 8 GB
Type: DDR3
Speed: 1867 MHz


About my SSD:

APPLE SSD SM0128G:

Capacity: 121.33 GB (121,332,826,112 bytes)
Model: APPLE SSD SM0128G
Revision: BXW1SA0Q
Serial Number: S23CNYBG387275
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Medium Type: Solid State
TRIM Support: Yes
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified


The problem may also be that I'm running my pro tools sessions off of a "JetDrive" that fits into my SD card slot. I do believe that this is a slower transfer speed. Would that be a problem?

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by egiordano

Not sure which sound card but I'm using the Apogee Quartet as my interface.

thats the sound card that JPC reffered to....

Originally Posted by egiordano

I have 2 cores. The processor is an 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5

thats not a powerful mac....sorry....it's only got 2 cores.....you will never have great performance out of this machine.

Originally Posted by egiordano

I have two of these memory chips:
Size: 8 GB
Type: DDR3
Speed: 1867 MHz

this is good....

Originally Posted by egiordano

Capacity: 121.33 GB (121,332,826,112 bytes)
Model: APPLE SSD SM0128G
Revision: BXW1SA0Q
Serial Number: S23CNYBG387275
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Medium Type: Solid State
TRIM Support: Yes
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified


The problem may also be that I'm running my pro tools sessions off of a "JetDrive" that fits into my SD card slot. I do believe that this is a slower transfer speed. Would that be a problem?

I have heard talk that guys run sessions off the main SSD without issue....and yeah it's probably causing you more problems running it off the SD Card Slot.

[Holly73]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Pro Tools.

While a lot of other DAWs would work fine with this setup (especially when only playing a few tracks), PT is a little picky about a lot if things.

Two things you mentioned that PT doesn't like: the JetDrive and i5.

It also has problems with incompatible plugins from time to time.

So, as you can't change your processor, just use a fast external drive. Then follow all the OS X optimization tips, trash PT preferences and try to move all 3rd party plugins to the unused folder. Bring them back one by one to troubleshoot.

If you are working mainly with audio tracks, a higher Disk Cache could also help.