Ableton CPU 140% Crackles...

[Shouki]

Okay so im not all that sure here but im just gonna say i need a new computer. In ableton i make nice foundations for my tracks with like 20 channels and then it starts to crackle. So, with that being said new comp time.

What i would like to know is what is the main thing i am looking for to avoid this same problem, Ram? Processors? Sound cards?!

I know music but the computer itself and how it works is greek to me. So any advice and recommendations would be VERY much appreciated

[itroitnyah]

Having a powerful processor is your biggest concern. You definitely want to get either an AMD FX-8xxx (any fx processor that the number starts with 8) or an Intel i7 processor. You can build a computer that has the FX-8350 (currently AMD's fastest processor) for as low as around $600 if you just use a motherboard with an onboard videocard, and you can build a computer with the i7-3770 processor for ~$650ish+. Both prices include a monitor from craigslist, keyboard, and windows 7 upgrade disc so that you can use the double install method to get Windows 7 full version.

For RAM, 8GB of ram should be plenty, and I'd recommend going for a DDR3-1600 speed RAM. 4GB of ram works fine too, it's what I'm working with on my current computer and I haven't experienced any problems yet.

Extras: For the harddrive, get a harddrive that has 7200rpm, and make sure that it has at least a 32mb cache. You can also get an SSD card which will help programs load faster and take some of the load off your internal harddrive. Also, you can get a CPU cooler to increase the life of your new cpu.

You can use this site to help you pick out parts for a new computer since building your computer by yourself would probably be the better way to go. Here's my build that I plan to buy and make once I get a job, for example:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($60.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex PC-389-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($9.98 @ Outlet PC)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2001-BLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($17.98 @ NCIX US)
Other: Monitor from Craigslist ($75.00)
Other: Windows 7 Upgrade Disc ($25.00)
Other: Audio Interface ($130.00)
Total: $736.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 07:34 EST-0500)

But if you want to tell me your budget, I can help you pick out parts for a new build, if you want me to.

[the4thImpulse]

What i would like to know is what is the main thing i am looking for to avoid this same problem, Ram? Processors? Sound cards?!

A better processor will let you run more vst instruments with much better performance and stability. My old computer had a intel duo processor and ableton would start glitching up once I had three instances of ozone 4 running. My new laptop has a I73610QM and it can run about 8 Ozone 5 instance no problem.

One thing I didn't understand when looking at processors was there are many, many variations of the same one. For instance I wanted an I7 but I learned some I7s were more than twice as good as other I7s, some I5's were better than I7 in terms of the amount of processes it could handle. Check out cpubenchmark.net to see how your exact processor stacks up against the rest.

A soundcard is also extremely important to increase your sample rate and decrease latency. This is likely the problem in your case, stock computer sound cards have never been made to handle many channels of streaming audio so they crackle up once their sample rate has been met. If you are a music producer you need a studio soundcard, plain and simple.

RAM is what handles audio when it comes to DAWs and music making. Now vsts aren't 'audio' in this case, its only pure audio tracks that will get loaded into RAM memory. Stuff like samples, songs, vsts that have been bounced to audio and ect. Most electronic musicians will rarely ever need more than 4 GB of RAM, that said it certainly doesn't hurt to have more.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Without repeating what the others said, it might be worthwhile trying different settings for your audio buffer. Generally, if your machine is under-specced, you will end up with CPU overruns, causing the DAW to flop and stop playing due to an overload, not crackle. So before you break the bank and buy new parts, try increasing the buffer size.

Back in the days of using Reason 2.0 on a highly underspecced machine, I was still able to push 30-40 tracks, albeit with quite a significant delay, but if you're not performing any parts with a keyboard or recording any external audio, there's not much issue in working at a high latency.

Also knowing your current machine specs would help.

[itroitnyah]

A soundcard is also extremely important to increase your sample rate and decrease latency. This is likely the problem in your case, stock computer sound cards have never been made to handle many channels of streaming audio so they crackle up once their sample rate has been met. If you are a music producer you need a studio soundcard, plain and simple.

My current computer is using the onboard audio card from the motherboard and I never experience any crackling or anything, and when I do it's because the processor is fairly weak lawl. But my onboard sound card is 24 bit depth and some huge sample rate that's in the 100k+ range. So I'm most definitely sure that he has a cpu problem.

Only thing is, you can't take out a cpu and replace it like you could with a video card, ram, cooling fan, soundcard, or other replaceable parts.

So, Shouki, it looks like you're definitely due for a new computer. Once again, I can help you pick out parts for a computer, if you want to tell me your price range, so that you can build it yourself.

Before you think about running down to best buy or somewhere to shell out a large sum of cash for a new computer, I'll tell you that you can buy the parts and assemble a computer for about $300+ less, plus it will help for if you need to upgrade parts of the computer in the future. Just in case you didn't know, lol.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Why are you all jumping to the conclusion that the guy needs a new computer when he hasn't even listed his specs? I have 8GB of RAM, a dedicated external soundcard and a 6 core cluster CPU (i5 and a Core 2 Duo working as a Node) and if I set my DAW up poorly, I can make things crackle after three tracks

[HMage]

I'm better than you, I can make things crackle in one track -- I just load up Diva and set max quality xD

[Lavender_Harmony]

I'm better than you, I can make things crackle in one track -- I just load up Diva and set max quality xD

Touché xDD

[Shouki]

O.o,

i have an intel core duo t-6500 @ 2.1GHZ 2CPUs 2.1
4 gig of ram
and vista still.

[Lavender_Harmony]

O.o,

i have an intel core duo t-6500 @ 2.1GHZ 2CPUs 2.1
4 gig of ram
and vista still.

The processor is lacking a little but is perfectly serviceable for EDM. I thiiiink Alex still works on a Core 2 Duo on his MBP, not suuure. I know I did before this machine.

Check the buffer!

[the4thImpulse]

O.o,

i have an intel core duo t-6500 @ 2.1GHZ 2CPUs 2.1
4 gig of ram
and vista still.

The processor is lacking a little but is perfectly serviceable for EDM. I thiiiink Alex still works on a Core 2 Duo on his MBP, not suuure. I know I did before this machine.

Check the buffer!

And use some ASIO drivers, they help a bunch.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Oh ASIO, that thing. I always forget about that haha :$ I don't use it

[itroitnyah]

i have an intel core duo t-6500 @ 2.1GHZ 2CPUs 2.1
4 gig of ram
and vista still.

Well, that definitely calls for an upgrade to your processor. The ram is fine, and the OS doesn't effect performance, if I'm correct.

But your processor only scores a 1300 on cpubenchmark. I don't think I need to tell you that you need an upgrade

Once again, if you want my help in picking out parts, just ask. If not, then I linked PCPartPicker up there, feel free to use that when picking out parts for a new computer, if you're going to go ahead and upgrade.

[Shouki]

Having a powerful processor is your biggest concern. You definitely want to get either an AMD FX-8xxx (any fx processor that the number starts with 8) or an Intel i7 processor. You can build a computer that has the FX-8350 (currently AMD's fastest processor) for as low as around $600 if you just use a motherboard with an onboard videocard, and you can build a computer with the i7-3770 processor for ~$650ish+. Both prices include a monitor from craigslist, keyboard, and windows 7 upgrade disc so that you can use the double install method to get Windows 7 full version.

For RAM, 8GB of ram should be plenty, and I'd recommend going for a DDR3-1600 speed RAM. 4GB of ram works fine too, it's what I'm working with on my current computer and I haven't experienced any problems yet.

Extras: For the harddrive, get a harddrive that has 7200rpm, and make sure that it has at least a 32mb cache. You can also get an SSD card which will help programs load faster and take some of the load off your internal harddrive. Also, you can get a CPU cooler to increase the life of your new cpu.

You can use this site to help you pick out parts for a new computer since building your computer by yourself would probably be the better way to go. Here's my build that I plan to buy and make once I get a job, for example:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($60.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex PC-389-C ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($9.98 @ Outlet PC)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2001-BLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($17.98 @ NCIX US)
Other: Monitor from Craigslist ($75.00)
Other: Windows 7 Upgrade Disc ($25.00)
Other: Audio Interface ($130.00)
Total: $736.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 07:34 EST-0500)

But if you want to tell me your budget, I can help you pick out parts for a new build, if you want me to.

I have a budget of about 700 - 750 at most. im a little limited but something that can be further upgraded is good.

[Foxtrot89]

At a quick glance, a few of the computers from cyberpowerpc look decent enough for fairly cheap by default. I'm not big on building my own, so I bought my last computer from them. For ~$800 I managed to get a computer that's capable of doing what I need on top of being able to run games on max settings. Perhaps worth looking into. One of their default builds is an AMD (no experience here so what I have to go on is what's in this thread) FX8120 and $56 more for an 8150. It's got 8gb of ram too. Only problem is that speakers, monitor and OS aren't included. (OS is about $100 more so it's more around $720 before shipping.) Less hassle than building your own, at least.

[Lavender_Harmony]

inb4 it doesn't fix the problem.

Just saying.

[the4thImpulse]

inb4 it doesn't fix the problem.

Just saying.

Eeyup, a $200 soundcard would solve these issues now and then you can save up more for a top of the line computer.

[itroitnyah]

At a quick glance, a few of the computers from cyberpowerpc look decent enough for fairly cheap by default. I'm not big on building my own, so I bought my last computer from them. For ~$800 I managed to get a computer that's capable of doing what I need on top of being able to run games on max settings. Perhaps worth looking into. One of their default builds is an AMD (no experience here so what I have to go on is what's in this thread) FX8120 and $56 more for an 8150. It's got 8gb of ram too. Only problem is that speakers, monitor and OS aren't included. (OS is about $100 more so it's more around $720 before shipping.) Less hassle than building your own, at least.

Websites like ibuypower.com and cyberpowerpc.com are ok, but they charge more since they do the labor and shipping, so it's much cheaper to build a pc yourself. Also, cyberpowerpc is not a very trustworthy website to get a custom built computer. I've heard everything from "they change the rating your give them automatically to a 4-5 stars", parts not being fully connected, they use refurbished and used parts, shitty customer service, damaged upon arrival, high shipping fees... If you get a good pc from them, that's a rarity and you should feel lucky.

Anyways, Shouki, I've PMed you questions about specifics for the computer build and specs you want, and I'll pick out the parts for you as soon as possible.

[Foxtrot89]

Oh yeah! I forgot this wasn't strictly an I need a new computer thread. Unless you're dead set on a new computer anyway, I'd definitely look into the other things mentioned in this thread. You could end up saving yourself a lot of hassle.

[Shouki]

i do want a new computer, But financially its a bad move but i need my music. So ill look into the sound cards but i am running my DAW off a laptop so im sure my options are limited.

[itroitnyah]

Yeah... hm... That really does limit you. You'd have to look for external soundcards. But, in Ableton, is there a little graph, meter, bar or number or something that shows you how much processor power you're using? If so, run your track that you're getting crackles on, and see how high that graph/number/bar gets. If it's reaching 100% or really close to, then your processor is what's causing the problem.

[Shouki]

yeah it goes to about 140% sometimes. I raised the buffer like what was suggested and it helps a little more but its all the way up lol. is an audio interface the same as a sound card?

[itroitnyah]

Yeah, an audio interface is similar to a soundcard in that they both can play audio. The difference is that soundcards can only play audio, while an audio interface can record audio or signals that are received from a source, such as a microphone or midi keyboard or the such. However, getting an audio interface or soundcard won't really help you much since the problem lies in your processor. When the number goes to 140% that means that it's being forced to over clock to play the track (or, that's what I'm assuming it means). The crackling is your processor being pushed to its limit. I can make a track and set the audio quality that FL Studio records in to as low as it can go. The onboard audio on my motherboard that I'm using since my computer doesn't have a soundcard and I don't own an audio interface, goes up to 192k sample rate. And even then, when I push my processor to the point where it's at 100%, I still get crackles. So I'm 99.9% certain that your problem is the processor. So like you've said above, it's probably time for a new computer. But if you know it's a bad financial decision right now because of other factors that you're facing right now (such as college, car loans, whatever), then you'll be fine with your current processor, as nine tracks is still enough tracks to get some decent work done. You'll just need to find ways to conserve processor power. For example, make a drum loop for a song and export the drum loop, and put it back into the song. That'll eliminate the processor power that's taken up by the effects that are in the drum FX channel. Another thing might be to, and this only works for some synths, but mix the song in synths that are set on a lower quality setting (In massive's Global tab, there are 3 options for the synth quality, set the quality to Eco), but then export in the highest quality. That'll save some processor space.

[Shouki]

oh okay, So pretty much just make my own loops and all that jazz to take load off my processor. Makes sense lol. well i guess i gotta just bare with this till income taxes come in.