Playback stutters: eats up CPU!!

ira_numan wrote on 5/26/2010, 2:59 PM
Over the last couple of the five years I've been using MMM, ('05dLx) I've noticed that my play back begins to stutter and my cpu goes up to as high as 3 0r 400%.
I've scanned my system with several securiy apps with nothing to show.
I have begun disabling my security and trimming unnecessary processes, but I still get stuttering in my playback.
This stuttering begins when I've gotten about 6 or 7 tracks running and it worsens with more tracks added and vst's plugged in on some of them.
I've tried several workarounds like making a "submix" wave file out of my drum part which is made from many tracks of one-shot samps and using just one track for drums, etc. Most of what I do is recorded instruments aside from the drums plus an occasional soundpool loop for embellishment.
I have an Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro card w/front interface. I've read that CThelper is a huge resourse hog but is necessary to interface "3rd party apps" to the card...
Any suggestions?

Comments

Procyon wrote on 5/26/2010, 6:41 PM
We're going to need more information.  First the basics...

CPU type and speed
Amount and type of RAM memory
Operating system, make and edition
How much RAM is available with only OS and MMM running?
Is paging file size set correctly? (at least as big as RAM)
Do programs or background tasks have priority?

In MMM (program settings)
What is your output device?
Which driver are you using?
Are the buffers set correctly?
ira_numan wrote on 5/27/2010, 1:53 PM
Procyon:
Thanks for your quick response.
I'm running a custom job w/a Foxconn MB, ASUS grfx card, the audigy card with a Pent D Core 2 Duo (3ghz), 3gb PC2 RAM- 6200 I think, don't recall brand- on XP Pro version 2002 SP3. The other information you asked for is beyond my computer and MMM expertise, however I've taken screen shots and converted them to jpegs via Acrobat Pro 9. The Photobucket album link is:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/7newman7/Magix%20Issues/
which shows the various error messages and settings that I could find through File>...
The computer education I've gotten by learning my multimedia apps and losing an external hdd has helped some, but I'm unable to answer all of your questions at this time without some coaching.
Thanks again!
Eric
Procyon wrote on 5/28/2010, 12:27 AM
I'm no IT expert, but I have been able to pull a few back from the brink, so take this for what it's worth.

First, we had to make sure you weren't trying to run this on a machine designed for Windows 98.  It doesn't look like a hardware deficiency, but that BIOS problem is cause for concern.  If you didn't bulid the machine yourself, you should talk to those who did.

I do know that your symptoms would indicate your buffers (in MMM) are not set correctly.  They may be set a bit too low.  You'll need to consult the manual to find the correct settings with your issues in mind.

Another possibility is the Wave Device in the Playback Parameters.  I see you have it set to Wave.  I use the "Direct Sound" driver (in MM-15).  I know when I've tried to change it to something else, the program ran like crap.

If you use a lot of effects that required large processing (like timestretching, etc.) you'll stress your CPU and cause stuttering.  A large buffer will reduce the demand on the CPU, but it may cause problems if using the WAV driver.

Many people have to switch to the ASIO driver when working with MIDI controllers due to latency.

Just for reference, (in MM-15), I am using the Direct Sound driver, one buffer (? grayed out), Multitrack buffer set at 16384, Prelistening buffer set at 8192. (P4 @ 2.5 GHz, 1.50 GB RAM, Windows XP)  I haven't done any truly massive arrangements, but I've never had a problem with these settings.

I don't know if these will solve your problems, but they would be worth looking at.  Good luck!