Ableton Forum

I remember reading somewhere that Live manages CPU "smart", as in doesn't waste resources on plug-ins/devices that are not turned on.

Does this apply to channels that are muted? And in general, does a plug in not processing audio take less than a plug doing a lot of processing?

I'm making racks that have lots of FX in them and scrolling through with the Chain Selector, just wondering how safe is safe when stacking together a ton of effects.

I've done a little testing but I don't feel like i'm getting any consistent results, so if anyone has read or knows the answer that'd be cool.

Just run some tests and check the CPU Meter like the one in your signature..and do it quick before some nasty poster comes and tells you to RTFM!

^ that's even cheekier advice than to RTFM.

No kidding right?

So that thing in my signature is a "cpu bar"? I always wondered what that thing did...

i wish i still had my 8000% cpu screenshot.

*sigh*

it was so purdy.

Jekblad wrote: I've done a little testing but I don't feel like i'm getting any consistent results, so if anyone has read or knows the answer that'd be cool.

So, I wonder how exactly did you do your "little testing"?

no, the muted tracks / channel are still processed.
so yeah, they still use your CPU.

it's quite logical too:
let's say you have a softsynth loop that wasn't processed unless unmuted, then you would have to wait until the next note hit until you actually heard something, rather than just instantly hearing the track play once you unmute.


...
i don't feel like rephrasing that.

Why don't you asign the on/off switched of your effects to the chain selector, along with the, er, chains? That way, the effects will only be on when your selector is looking at their respective chain...

Hope that made sense!