Ableton Forum

Is loading all of my 1.2gb livesets sounds into RAM a good idea???

Will it reduce cpu load at all?? I have heard both views from friends on this.....what about you guys (and gals)hehe

I have 2gb ram here ,im not using it so far really.., all my samples are being played from the hard disk directly...

Maybe this would help my new audio dropouts??

I did replace my m-audio firewire audiophile in the store today with a couple of alternatives, and didnt notice any difference. still a few problems.....

CPU load is only effected when processing is involved, processing as in calculations performed for a different outcome/ sound.. so vsts and effects and also the host running/ performing these tasks of loading and unloading..if ur just running tracks with not effects then loading into ram will help you out


a power book only has a HD speed of 5400 RPM as well , this will make a difference on very large live sets which contain many tracks running at the same time..

yeah...i did the upgrade tp 5400rpm on the hd...i had a feeling that this still isnt really as fast as i would like it....or need it probably...

I am running a fairly extensive liveset with 5 channels od audio, 3 channels of audio with fx and 2 channels of midi...

do you think i should run the channels with only audio to ram?

what effects are you running ? and also vsts in ur midi tracks.. 5400 HD running on

i think its just a case of expecting to much from your system.. i read the other thread as well and its just the simple fact that live on a mac is not the best, the cpu performance thread pointed this out as well. im not trying to bash the macs at all but the proof is there and it is a real pity that Ableton cant do something about this. i have used both systems and i got to say pentium and AMD laptops are going to out perform in every live situation..

agreed....the mac platform for live is still a little sketchy.....
I think ableton have had a little trouble getting into the osx brain and figuring it out....if hackers cant do it...


buffer size here is down to 4ms (100samples)

my running fx are 3e-q, ping pong delay and reverb, although the reverb is only ised 2 or 3 times during a 90 minute set and only for about 10 seconds or so......

no vst's...i should point out

change ur buffer size up to 256 samples or whatever the next highest option is in mac.

also ping pong delay and reverb will use the most cpu out of all the live plugins.

i actually had it up at 512 samples and still had dropouts......you can set it to any number you desire...

just my luck that the 2 fx i use are the most cpu intensive....shit....

my cpu reading on ableton never goes above 20%, and thats at the sets peak.......BUT...on the activity monitor it goes up to around 60 or 70 %..

are u running the tracks from ur firewire as well ? if so then try running them from your HD as u got ur interface running on the firewire bus as well..

to me tho that set u have is not complex and on my system i have heaps more effects running and i have no problem.. maybe u should look for update drivers as well ???

but i have also seen posts that the M-audio firewire is not the best interface. is your live set at 20% when all the effects are being processed and then it drops out ? if so then i would say its ur interface for sure..

yeah...it seems to spike when i use a knob on the UC33 while a large audio file is launched with effects....

I have no external HD....all sounds direct on hard disk...none on ram...

Im starting to think the M-Audio Audiophile firewire is not good......you think i should change?

What about Mutu?

i should say that i did have a lacie drive but moved all sounds onto computer.....due to the 2 bus situation,...

i give u an example of my current live set ok

i have 12 tracks

3 guitar rigs running, all presets have quad delay running and various other effects
1 blue tubes brick wall

50 % cpu no dropouts

shiite ok....i hear you......thanks for your help....

vince