Ableton Forum

Alrighty, I have read the manual and searched through the depths of this forum for tips on lessening CPU load on Live sets to avoid crackling audio.

I've taken clips that were running through FX and rendered them with the effect as a new clip. I've used sends to route multiple tracks through a single effect to save CPU load. I've selected RAM mode on clips etc. All this helped but I still have an issue once I go past 30% CPU, it starts crackling...

My performance setup is unique to most because I use two mic's at any given time that are usually running through their own individual plugin effect. I'm very good about keeping a mic's input OFF when it's not in use (I even see the CPU drop) The Reverb plugin is what really seems to encourage the crackles. But 30% seems a bit low to be acting up, am I right?

I am using an Apple 900 Mhz G3 Powerbook with its Memory maxed out to 640 MB. OSX 10.2.8. M-Audio Duo for my mic in's and my stereo out.

Is there any hope for me?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide...

so, you are using live as a processor for the 2 mic ins yes?

i am guessing that you have you latency set too low. I have a similar computer spec-wise, but can run tracks quite well withoutr any breakups etc...

you are doing everything else right in terms of loading into Ram etc...

it is just gonna be a comprimise between latency and performance.

If you sound card supports zero-latency monitoring, i suggest that maybe you use live to just do the "wet" effects, and have the dry signal signal coming through the card.. this way you'll be able to set latency a bit slower, but still get use of the onboard fx.

-m

yeah, if your latency is too low, it doesnt matter what your processor is doing, it will still crackle

-tim

Thanks for the ideas guys...

And yes, I am using Live as a processor for the 2 mics. And since this is a live performance I am talking about, a noticable latency of me singing is not acceptable.


I usually keep my latency at 11 ms. I'll see what the threshold is with the human ear being bothered by the delay...

Where do you keep your latency at?

Is the more long term solution just to get a darn titanium G4?

i use 256 or 512, I can't remember what that latency that gives. On a one-year old aluminium PB.
If the you get crackling and 30cpu. I aggree, that it sound very much like to low latency. For ultra-effective reverb, try wavearts masterverb. Sound pretty good at the lowest cpu use I've seen on a mac. Live's reverb is notorious for high cpu use on mac. Sounds good, but high demands. I almost always use wavearts, to get extra juice for other things too. If I reall wanted a great reverb for a few tracks in Ableton, I would rewire into logic and use space designer. (I don't know if you can run logic on a G3, though, even if logic is - by far - the most cpu effiencent daw on mac.