Ram vs Cores - Music production

Hi Tomcatt87

You didn't give any info on your system (Model?RAM?etc…) and versions of OSX/LPX which might help diagnose your problems. It might not even be your computer, a plug-in or latency issue for example.

RAM temporarily stores data/files/etc… and the "Cores (CPU) does the actual processing. Different functions. Activity Monitor(In your Utilities Folder) is a useful tool to point to possible fixes. You can see how much processing is going on via CPU process % (up to 100% / Core) and in the Memory tab, page swaps will indicate if you need more RAM. It is a place to start.

If you are having actual crashes, then you can use ~Library>Logs>Diagnostic Reports or the app Console to figure out what is causing the problem. In general, an underpowered, resource deprived computer will not crash, just do the spinning beach ball or produce crackle and pops while recording.

Hope this helps, Greg

I doubt you would be having these problems if using an older operating system, (and an older version of Logic) but these are different times. Several of us have stayed with Logic-9 on the ancient 64-bit Snow Leopard, I use a single processor quad-core mac_pro and can do more on a 6-year old machine than former client's using the latest and greatest.

I can't remember the last time Logic crashed.

Here's an article by Apple on Logic's use of processor cores:

Logic Pro/Express: Tips for balancing multi-core performance - Apple Support

Hi Tomcatt87, are you using any aux tracks with the plugins that can be buss'd to? this helps me with resource issues on big mixes.

Hi Tomcatt

You are no where near maxing out your "cores". A 6 core CPU maxes out at 600% not 87%. You aggravate the total # of cores times 100 to get total %. You also have plenty of RAM, so your problem is somewhere else.

Did you look at your Diagnostic Files and look in using Console? In either of these, you should see post with the term "error" in them and "failed". This should also name the problem area that caused a crash. Start there.

Just guessing, I would suspect a 3rd party plug-in is causing issues. Make sure all plug-ins are up to date and support El Capitan 10.11.X. It is also possible it is something else, like a bad (corrupted) file.

Do you use any kind of Audio Interface? If so what? Is it supported in El Capitan? Are your drivers up to date?

There are other ways to trouble shoot like starting up Logic in a different user account. You can delete preference files (plist) if this is the cause.

Linc Davis has a set of trouble shooting tips you can follow using Console. You can also download Etrecheck and run to see if it finds the problem.

http://etrecheck.com/#about

A topic here in Apple forums showing Etrecheck and scroll down and see Linc's procedure… OS X EL Capitan crashes and shuts down my computer 2-3 times a day

I also am curious when you first got your MP, how did you set it up? Did you use Migration Assistant or did you do a clean install? If you used MA what was your last OS and how many times did you use MA in the past? Personally, I never use MA as it can bring along problems.

Believe me, you do not need a different computer, use older LPX versions, etc… you just need to find the cause of your problems. LPX 10.2.X runs fine on my computer rMBP with no real issues. It runs on the nMP with no problems as well.

Tell me if you find "Errors/Failed" in your logs and we'll go from there.

Hope this helps, Greg

Wow not sure what I did to make you mad at me and posting a super small screen shot. Please be kind to tired old eyes😀

Had to use magnifying glass to see any of it.

OK you still didn't answer the questions I asked. Did you use Migration Assistant to set up your Mac? I think so.

You have some bad OS files in there and this is causing some of your issues. (Deprecated Carbon Components, etc)

Looks like you have some out of date software as well. This is at least some of your problems. (If not all)

Did you download and run Etrecheck? It will most likely find some of the culprits at least. It will also list all your programs. Having that list may lead to finding out of date or incompatible apps. Etrecheck AFAIK is just putting a GUI onto some Terminal commands and then providing some plain english explanations to the system reports.

First do the things I listed above, please.

Given what I see in the Report, I think I would back everything up. I keep at least 3 to 4 back ups including Clones (Carbon Copy Cloner) at all times.

Back up first!!!

Do a complete erase and reinstall of the OS on your boot drive, then clean installs of the Apps from the App Store. Do not use MA. Once you have done this, try using LPX without any 3rd party software/plug-ins.

Are you using an Audio Interface? Drivers up to date? Download fresh drivers.

After testing, then and only then start adding any 3rd party software fresh from the developers website, don't use your old programs off the back-up drive. You have corrupt files/apps somewhere, don't just copy them over again.

For any files you want like music files, documents, etc: drag and drop from your back-up drive. Please no apps. (I think that is the problem if not OS X itself) Don't use Time Machine either.

Test LPX often as you do this.

Without having more info from your system, a clean install would be the safest way to go. Yes lots of work, but in the end, no more problems. In the end no problems will result in time and effort saved.

While there is the possibility of Hardware issues, bad RAM, bad GPU, bad cables etc… I suspect you have corrupted files.

Apple is in the middle of changing most of the underlying frameworks that run your Mac. Bringing forward old system files and apps by using MA can and does cause issues/conflicts between the old frameworks and the new. The problem increases if you keep using MA each time you upgrade the OS. I have found Macs with system files from Tiger and before causing lots of problems. An erase and fresh install normally creates a trouble free Mac experience.

Hope this helps, Greg

No No just was away all day. sorry you had that on your mind till now. I just saw something and don't like what I read about the latest OSX for LP. So I held back from upgrading from Yosemite even saw some instructors still with older Mt Lion don't fixit if it's not you know so I use LP 9 on Mac mini and LPX on an Imac but nothing near the line -up your starting with. all the best, Stnproe