Severe CPU problems with MacBook Pro when using Ableton 10

[DavidzH]

Hello Ableton community!

Since some days my MacBook Pro 15" 2017 running on Catalina 10.15.07 has severe CPU problems when using Ableton. Even though I neither use tons of Midi and Audio-Tracks (maybe 4 Midi and 2-3 Audio Tracks) nor do I put a lot of effects on the single tracks, my kernel-tasks runs up to 500+ % CPU-usage causing severe crackling and audio failures. The CPU usage of Ableton doesn't look that high in the activity protocol though. Even after closing Ableton the computer is like paralyzed. I am not sure whether it is Ableton or my computer that causes the problem but so far Ableton is the only program I experienced this problem with. However I also don't use a lot of other CPU intensive programs right now. Furthermore my computer should be easily able to handle my Ableton projects.

I have googled a lot for solutions and also found people with similar problems using Ableton with Catalina, however couldn't find any solution yet.

For my set-up I am using:

- Latest version of Ableton Live 10 Suite

- A Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 connected via usb C

- A Guitar connected to the Focusrite

- An Novation Launchkey 49 connected via USB-hub

- A Blackstar Midi-Footpadel connected via USB-hub

- External control surface LK (App for iPad) controlling Ableton wirelessly

The specs of my Mac are:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

2,8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

16 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3

Intel HD Graphics 630 1536 MB


I am quite new to the world of music production and have no idea what could be the cause of the problem. It really makes working with Ableton impossible at the moment. Therefore I would be really happy if somebody has an idea of the cause and maybe a solution.

Thank you very much in advance!

David

[Monodogue]

Sounds maybe like you're experiencing some issues with your buffer settings.
Experiment a bit with the settings.

Open preferences (CMD+,) find the audio tab - try to set your sample rate to 44.1khz, and experiment a bit with your buffer

[miyaru]

Have you got an app to meassure the temperature of your CPU? It might be that your cooling system is dusty, and the CPU is scaling down due to high CPU temps......

I'm not a Mac guy, but heard this before!