CPU overload, hot computer and kernel_task

[davegibbon]

Hey there,

I just upgraded to Mavericks 10.9.2, PT11.1.2 and the newest Avid driver for my 003R. I'm on a mid-2010 MacBook Pro i5.

It's been awful. As soon as PT loads, Activity Monitor shows a thread called 'kernel_task' that chews up CPU like crazy. Computer gets hot, fans go crazy and the computer grinds to a halt. I can't even record/playback one track of audio in PT.

I've seen threads from people with the same problem both here and on other audio discussion boards. No solutions but people reporting exactly the same thing.

The thing is, I can't find anything beyond January 2014. Has this stopped being an issue? Or have people given up and gone back to PT10 with ML or something?

Any advice/venting would be appreciated.

[davegibbon]

I had my suspicions that the problem was with the Avid driver but now I'm sure.

I installed a driver for an old MOTU interface that was lying around, started up PT and all is well. Kernel_task is sitting around 7-8%, no errors on record/playback.

This will let me work this weekend but Avid, c'mon...

[propower]

Is it this?

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=349742

If not - why not describe all the details. Does it happen with just AVID stock plugins?

[davegibbon]

Looking at that thread, I initially thought it was the same thing but looking at the video it not quite the same.

I don't even have to record, play anything back or insert a plug to get the kernel_task thread going over 120% CPU. I haven't installed any third party plugs on this system yet. It's a fresh OS, fresh PT download and a fresh driver download.

I opened Ableton Live, same problem. It's like as soon as the machine addresses the 003R, kernel_task goes crazy.

I've seen others with the problem but I just haven't seen any recent posts about it.

[domavila]

I have the exact same problem in PT 10. It is the driver for sure and doesn't matter if you are using pro tools 10 or 11. My CPU kernel task goes to 70% as soon as I turn on my 002 and goes back down to 3-7% when i turn off my 002 or unplug the firewire cable. This is a serious problem because it heats up my computer and I can't even use more than a couple plug ins without my computer grinding to a halt.

Please someone at avid find a solution for this problem. My computer is overheating and I can't produce without turning off my 002 and using headphones.

This is completely ridiculous and inexcusable for Avid. We as Avid/Pro tools users constantly pay for upgrades and for a driver to overheat my computer which is practically rendered useless do to the CPU kernel task spike is inexcusable.

Today I am going to try a firewire to thunderbolt adapter to see if that helps but I find it highly unlikely. This is something avid needs to fix and fix soon!!

[Ed Douglas]

Having this issue intermittently in PTHD12.5... so not much progress then?



This bug first reared it's head for me when I was premixing from my portable system in a $600/hr studio and caused me a completely wasted day!

Grrrr.

E>