Excessive CPU use with Mono files

CDJQ · Post by **CDJQ** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:46 am

Hi,

Okay, I am baffled. When trying to use songs that have mostly Mono tracks (44.1 khz, 16 bit) on my laptop (Powerbook G4, 1.5Ghz, 1.25 Gb Ram) the laptop cpu goes through the ceiling. Here is the curious part - I can run a different song that has 12 stereo tracks, 10 live EQ's, 4 live Filters, 2 live Compressor 2, 5 live Delays, 1 live Reverb at only 38% of the CPU, but in this new song, using just 8 mono tracks with NO effects, Eq's, Compressors, etc.... it is using 84% of the CPU. HUH?????? I checked the mono files, they were all recorded in Live from my outboard synths, and they are all 44.1 khz, 16 bit files. I have also tried using a new live set and bringing them into it, but that produces the same 84% result. Just to fill in more info, the computer that the new song was written on is a PC 3ghz, with 1 gb ram... and when I imported the exact same 8 mono tracks, no effects it uses 30 % of the cpu... and when playing the earlier mentioned 12 stereo tracks it uses 30 % also.
Any ideas on this? Is using Mono tracks a bad thing? I have searched around the boards but still haven't seen anything like this mentioned.... any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brett

DJ VAKIS · Post by **DJ VAKIS** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:37 pm

This is not normal.
Don't know man.

DJ VAKIS · Post by **DJ VAKIS** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:45 pm

Quit Live,open Live again and create new Live set load all the mono files and save
the live set with other name.Quit Live open it again and load the Live set that you saved before and see if it is better.Don't know if it helps.
are you sure you have set the latency corect?Low latency the more CPU.

CDJQ · Post by **CDJQ** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:40 pm

Thanks for the replies..

Well since I posted this I contacted Ableton Support (Man there fast!) and the problem lies in the fact that I am using all complex warp modes. This problem hasn't been as visable on my PC because it has so much CPU power to begin with, but on the mac (its only a 1.5) it really becomes a problem. Now that I review the reference song that I used with all stereo tracks, I realize that everything was done is beat warp mode, so that would certainly account for the difference.... Later tonight I will convert all the tracks that don't require complex warp and then post the percentage change.... but nonetheless.... once again a big "ataboy" for Ableton service, they never fail to impress!

Brett