mBox and CPU

[cliepe12]

I just went from a dual 1.25 G4/001 setup to a Dual 1.8 G5/mBox setup with the hopes of using the mbox for pro tools and then getting a different hardware interface like the 2408mkIII to run with DP.

When I load up sessions that ran fairly well on my old setup, my new setup can't handle them at all. I have my hardware buffer cranked, and I keep getting a "CPU usage is holding off USB audio" error.

I thought that I would get a track count/plugin performance improvement with this move. Am I out of luck? Am I missing something?

[Slim Shady]

Did you set your energy saver processor prefs to 'highest'?

Did you do all the OSX setup/troubleshooting steps in the stickied thread at the top of the forum?

[Produce_Dept]

I had the same problem when I upgraded to 6.9... Got rid of my MBox and just run my 002

[cliepe12]

yes, all the usualy PT troubleshooting excersizes have been done. Are you saying that Mbox performance is much better in 6.7? How do I downgrade to 6.7? Also, is the OO2 a better perfomer than the mbox on your system.

Is there anybody getting decent performance out of an mbox?

I was routinly able to run 32 tracks with a generous amount of waves plugins on my 001 rig? Anybody doing that with an Mbox?

[Slim Shady]

My Mbox on Dual G5 2.5 is rock solid and I've never come close to maxing out my CPU. I use Waves, McDSP, PSP, Altiverb and more in very heavy sessions (32 tracks + several inactive, lots of busses etc.) I however have not upgraded from 6.4 so I couldn't tell you if there's a difference in 6.7 or 6.9.

So in system preferences->energy saver you've set the processor performance to highest? That usually solves the problem you're having from what I remember.

[Produce_Dept]

Well - I had good performance on my MBox with 6.7... when i upgraded to 6.9 - i had major CPU problems (the "holding off USB audio" error) I hooked up my 002 - and man, smooth sailing. The firewire interface allows me to utilize so much more of my CPU resources... Just my observations

[cliepe12]

right. Is there any way to REALLY do a clean downgrade to 6.7 or 6.4 without doing a hard drive reformat?

[DigiTechSupt]

Yes, just do a 'clean uninstall' of Pro Tools.

From the Pro Tools installer, go to the 'Custom Install' page, click on the word 'Custom Install' and select 'Uninstall' from the drop-down menu, then click the 'Uninstall' button. You will be asked if you want to do a 'Safe' or 'Clean' uninstall - choose 'Clean'. After uninstalling, restart your computer and then install the version of Pro Tools you wish to revert to.

[cliepe12]

thanks Digi!!

I downgraded to 6.4 and have a much smoother running Pro Tools setup. Any word on why 6.9 and the Mbox don't get along and perhaps if there is a fix coming soon?