Old 09-30-2020, 01:07 PM   #1
gm22
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Default Dropouts, how to improve performance?

After adding a few effects I start to get dropouts, presumably because the system can't keep up. Is there a way to allocate more of my CPU or resources to Reaper?
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Old 09-30-2020, 02:21 PM   #2
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Unless your computer is over a decade old you should be able to handle more than a few plugins with ease. depends on audio hardware and driver, buffer settings and possibly o/s configuration.

So list what you're using for starters.
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Old 09-30-2020, 02:29 PM   #3
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One way which might help is to remove ALL your fx plugins on the Reaper master track.

Make your own "sub master" e.g. as Track 1, and route everything there which normally went to the Reaper master by default. Remember to uncheck the master/parent send as you do this for each track, unless they're in a folder group, but still uncheck the master send for the top level folder and route to the new "master".

Put your master FX on this new "sub master". Usually helps.

Basically Reaper can now allocate resources to your master processing as per a "normal track". When the fx are on the Reaper master track, they are then running on the same physical cpu as that which processes the audio out to your interface - in other words, your master fx chain CAN affect the output of audio buffers, leading to stuttering and/or worse!

Depends how much work this is for you depending on your overall track layout and routing.

Worth a shot if you can do it ...

HTH

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Old 09-30-2020, 02:48 PM   #4
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If you are just mixing and not monitoring through Reaper, consider raising your sound card buffer as high as it will go. Are any tracks record armed? AKA are you recording or mixing - record arm causes extra cpu depending.
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Old 09-30-2020, 09:25 PM   #5
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Thanks for all the replies. The track is just a stereo track of recorded music. The computer is a Dell M4800 with some kind of i7 processor. I'm using a Focusrite Saffire 6 usb interface. Buffer settings are as below.

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Old 10-01-2020, 03:05 AM   #6
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Can you screencap the Audio device page where the main buffer setting is made.
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Old 10-01-2020, 06:41 AM   #7
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Quote:
The track is just a stereo track of recorded music.
In that case latency isn't an issue you can use a big buffer.


...Usually "something else" (an application, driver, or background process) interrupting the audio data-flow and if the buffer is too small (or the interrupt too long) you get buffer overflow before the operating system comes back to read the buffer. And, it doesn't have to be using a lot of CPU power... It just has to hog the system for a few milliseconds too long.


There is a FREE online book about optimizing your computer for audio called Glitch Free
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Old 10-01-2020, 07:34 AM   #8
gm22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stella645 View Post
Can you screencap the Audio device page where the main buffer setting is made.
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:36 AM   #9
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Why are you using asio4all instead of the Focusrite asio drivers?
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Old 10-01-2020, 10:18 AM   #10
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Try these few things:

Change the Asio4All to the Saffire, as said above.

Also, uncheck Request block size.

Then go to your Saffire settings and change the In and Out to higher setting, such as 128 for each or 256.
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Old 10-01-2020, 10:54 AM   #11
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A good comprehensive start point:

https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/glitchfree/
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Old 10-01-2020, 11:49 AM   #12
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Thanks for all the very helpful replies. I'm not in front of my music computer at the moment but I'll try all suggestions ASAP and report back.
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Old 10-01-2020, 05:23 PM   #13
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Made all recommended changes and so far no dropouts. Thanks again for all the very helpful replies.
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Old 10-02-2020, 05:51 AM   #14
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Glad it's working again for you. Remember, that using the "sub master" track, rather than defaulting the routing to the Reaper master and piling your mastering fx on there, is a good idea if you are low on cpu power.

If you check the Performance Meter (under "View"), right-click on it, you can show the RT Cpu as well, this will tell you if your system is struggling or not to get the audio buffers out to your sound device.

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