2hanz

Q: CPU spike

Hey all, I'm sure this is a common question, but I'm not finding the answer by searching so far.  Recently I've been having some CPU spikes in Logic running rather small sessions and it is worrisome as I've got some bigger projects coming up this fall and winter. Wondering if there is someone here who can point me in the right direction. 

 

I'm running a Macbook Pro Late 2011 2.2Ghz Core i7 16gb ram with a 500Gb 7200rpm drive.  Also, I've recording to an external 7200rpm drive and use a separate monitor.

 

I should note that this is a new problem, as I've got larger templates I've used in the past few months.  I recently upgraded Logic, Apogee and Kontakt.

 

Hoping someone can help!  Thanks in advance!

Mike

Posted on Sep 7, 2015 12:04 PM

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Q: CPU spike

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  • by The Art Of Sound,

    The Art Of Sound The Art Of Sound Sep 7, 2015 2:54 PM in response to 2hanz
    Level 6 (12,107 points)
    Sep 7, 2015 2:54 PM in response to 2hanz
    Also, I've recording to an external 7200rpm drive and use a separate monitor.

     

    1) What connection type is your External HD?

     

    If it's a USB2 drive then that can easily cause spikes because of how USB2 places a load on your CPU whenever data is being  written/read from the HD...

     

    Use a FW800 or Thunderbolt External HD enclosure  to limit this load issue....

     

    2) Using an external Monitior also adds a load to your system resources which again can cause spikes or general system overload problems...

     

    However, one of the best things you can do is to follow this bit of advice from the Troubleshooting guide for System overloads...

     

    Logic Pro X: System Overload messages - Apple Support

     

    • Avoid having a Software Instrument track selected in the Arrange window. When a Software Instrument track is highlighted, Logic must devote enough CPU resources to insure that anything you might play live into the track can be processed. Be particularly aware of Track Stacks that include multiple Software Instrument sub-tracks. When you are mixing, try to keep an Audio or external MIDI track highlighted as you work. Only select a Software Instrument track or Track Stack at times when you are actually working with that particular track.

     

    Otherwise, the rest of the tips in that document are worth heeding.......

     

    ...and note: Make sure you have turned off Kontakt's own memory server in it's own preferences/settings box...