Optimizing Your DAW - Revision history

Robert: /* Set Processor Scheduling for Background Services */

Robert — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:24:21 GMT

Set Processor Scheduling for Background Services

←Older revision		Revision as of 09:24, 5 June 2008
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	You can give background processes priority by going to ''Settings'' \| ''Control Panel'' \| ''System'', and then choosing the ''Advanced'' tab and clicking on the "Settings" button in ''Performance''. Then click on ''Settings'', select the ''Advanced'' tab, and select ''Processor Scheduling'' to "Background services". You will probably need to reboot to make this change take effect.		You can give background processes priority by going to ''Settings'' \| ''Control Panel'' \| ''System'', and then choosing the ''Advanced'' tab and clicking on the "Settings" button in ''Performance''. Then click on ''Settings'', select the ''Advanced'' tab, and select ''Processor Scheduling'' to "Background services". You will probably need to reboot to make this change take effect.

-	However, some say that this setting may make audio performance worse. See [http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.asp?m=1239881 ~~link~~ this post] by Noel Borthwick from cakewalk.	+	However, some say that this setting may make audio performance worse. See [http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.asp?m=1239881 this post] by Noel Borthwick from cakewalk.

	==Optimizing '''Your Computer'''==		==Optimizing '''Your Computer'''==

Robert: /* Set Processor Scheduling for Background Services */

Robert — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:23:30 GMT

Set Processor Scheduling for Background Services

←Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 5 June 2008
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	You can give background processes priority by going to ''Settings'' \| ''Control Panel'' \| ''System'', and then choosing the ''Advanced'' tab and clicking on the "Settings" button in ''Performance''. Then click on ''Settings'', select the ''Advanced'' tab, and select ''Processor Scheduling'' to "Background services". You will probably need to reboot to make this change take effect.		You can give background processes priority by going to ''Settings'' \| ''Control Panel'' \| ''System'', and then choosing the ''Advanced'' tab and clicking on the "Settings" button in ''Performance''. Then click on ''Settings'', select the ''Advanced'' tab, and select ''Processor Scheduling'' to "Background services". You will probably need to reboot to make this change take effect.
		+
		+	However, some say that this setting may make audio performance worse. See [http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.asp?m=1239881 link this post] by Noel Borthwick from cakewalk.

	==Optimizing '''Your Computer'''==		==Optimizing '''Your Computer'''==

69.214.77.230: /* Adjust Latency For The Task At Hand */

69.214.77.230 — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:48:49 GMT

Adjust Latency For The Task At Hand

←Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 25 May 2007
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	When tracking (recording), you want as short a latency as possible. The shorter the latency, the closer your recordings are timewise to where they should be in your project.		When tracking (recording), you want as short a latency as possible. The shorter the latency, the closer your recordings are timewise to where they should be in your project.

-	But when doing editing, mixing, mastering --anything besides recording in real time-- you can turn your latency up as high as you want. This will greatly increase the number of tracks you can work with, while reducing ~~cracking~~ and drop-outs at the same time.	+	But when doing editing, mixing, mastering --anything besides recording in real time-- you can turn your latency up as high as you want. This will greatly increase the number of tracks you can work with, while reducing audible "pops" and drop-outs at the same time.

	==Optimizing '''Windows'''==		==Optimizing '''Windows'''==

Laceiba: /* Hard Drive Configuration */

Laceiba — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:52:27 GMT

Hard Drive Configuration

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 3 October 2006
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	===Hard Drive Configuration===		===Hard Drive Configuration===

-	*A separate hard drive will give you better performance. Failing that, a separate partition for the audio data on your existing hard drive will be better. If you keep your audio data on the Windows drive, you will find that files quickly become fragmented (chopped into little pieces by Windows and sprayed at random around your hard drive, slowing down both reading and writing) and performance can be affected as the system continually accesses the drive to save temporary files, use virtual memory, etc.	+	*A separate hard drive will give you better performance. Failing that, a separate partition for the audio data on your existing hard drive will be better. (''Note:'' the idea that storing your audio files on separate partition will somehow improve performance in Sonar is not strongly supported by evidence. Storing your audio data on a separate hard drive from your operating system does provide a measurable performance gain, however.) If you keep your audio data on the Windows drive, you will find that files quickly become fragmented (chopped into little pieces by Windows and sprayed at random around your hard drive, slowing down both reading and writing) and performance can be affected as the system continually accesses the drive to save temporary files, use virtual memory, etc.

	*You should ''not'' enable file compression on any audio drive, as it will drastically reduce performance.		*You should ''not'' enable file compression on any audio drive, as it will drastically reduce performance.

Laceiba: /* Use your hardware profile to disable services */

Laceiba — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:47:07 GMT

Use your hardware profile to disable services

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:47, 3 October 2006
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	Use the DAW-only hardware profile you will make in the ''Optimizing Your Computer'' section to disable unnecessary services. Most Windows services are not necessary for SONAR's purposes, and they take up RAM and CPU cycles, and can also do the most annoying things at times, some of which will disrupt or corrupt up your recording.		Use the DAW-only hardware profile you will make in the ''Optimizing Your Computer'' section to disable unnecessary services. Most Windows services are not necessary for SONAR's purposes, and they take up RAM and CPU cycles, and can also do the most annoying things at times, some of which will disrupt or corrupt up your recording.
		+
		+	It should be noted that not everyone agrees that turning off services is wise, nor is it well proven that disabling services will provide any measurable performance gain. One website that provided extensive information about disabling services was the now-defunct BlackViper.com. A reader at the computer website [http://www.anandtech.com/ AnandTech] decided to implement BlackViper's suggestions and then measure performance before and after the modificiations. His findings were posted in the [http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=34&threadid=1678445&enterthread=y&arctab=y AndandTech Forums]. The result? Almost no measurable performance gain.
		+
		+	With that caveat, disabling some scheduled tasks such as the screen saver, desktop cleanup wizard, and power saving functions can result in fewer audio glitches. If you wish to further tweak the Windows services, do so at your own risk.

	Copy your current DAW-only hardware profile and give it a new name (e.g. "DAW01", "DAW02", etc.). Then go into ''Administrative Tools'' and then ''Services'' and disable exactly '''one''' service under that particular profile. Then reboot into your new hardware profile and make sure everything is okay. Then rinse, lather and repeat, using a new hardware profile each time (that's the reason for the sequential numbering in the profile name examples).		Copy your current DAW-only hardware profile and give it a new name (e.g. "DAW01", "DAW02", etc.). Then go into ''Administrative Tools'' and then ''Services'' and disable exactly '''one''' service under that particular profile. Then reboot into your new hardware profile and make sure everything is okay. Then rinse, lather and repeat, using a new hardware profile each time (that's the reason for the sequential numbering in the profile name examples).

Sms at 23:15, 30 September 2006

Sms — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:15:50 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 30 September 2006
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-	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]	+	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Free_Downloads\|Free Downloads]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]


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-	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]	+	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Free_Downloads\|Free Downloads]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]

Sms at 17:29, 25 September 2006

Sms — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 17:29:57 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 25 September 2006
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	You may also do well to eliminate any PCI cards you can do without (how about that old modem you haven't used in years?).		You may also do well to eliminate any PCI cards you can do without (how about that old modem you haven't used in years?).
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		+	==Making your DAW quieter==
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		+	Here's an article in [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1950149,00.asp PC Mag] on reducing the noise put out by your computer.

	==Miscellaneous==		==Miscellaneous==

Sms at 16:45, 25 September 2006

Sms — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 16:45:02 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 25 September 2006
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-	~~(''~~[[Main_Page\|~~Back to~~ Home Page]]~~'')~~	+	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]
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	You can't expect optimal performance from SONAR (or any other DAW software) with your computer and OS configured as they were right out of the box. Digital audio has its own special needs. Here are a series of things you can do to optimize your system.		You can't expect optimal performance from SONAR (or any other DAW software) with your computer and OS configured as they were right out of the box. Digital audio has its own special needs. Here are a series of things you can do to optimize your system.
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	This will produce the single largest spewing forth of information you've probably ever seen in a CLI. And you'll lose 90% of it because it will have gone in and out of the buffer. So before you do this, hit the icon on the top left of the "DOS" box, select "Defaults", go to the Layout tab, and put something on the order of 3000 in the Screen Buffer height box. Then type psservice, and --if you're not a masochist, at least-- copy it all, paste it in your favorite text editor, and search for "RUNNING". A couple lines above each instance of that you'll find the internal name for each service.		This will produce the single largest spewing forth of information you've probably ever seen in a CLI. And you'll lose 90% of it because it will have gone in and out of the buffer. So before you do this, hit the icon on the top left of the "DOS" box, select "Defaults", go to the Layout tab, and put something on the order of 3000 in the Screen Buffer height box. Then type psservice, and --if you're not a masochist, at least-- copy it all, paste it in your favorite text editor, and search for "RUNNING". A couple lines above each instance of that you'll find the internal name for each service.
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-	~~(''~~[[Main_Page\|~~Back to~~ Home Page]]~~'')~~	+
		+	[[Main_Page\|Home Page]] * [[Getting_Started_With_Sonar\|Getting Started]] * [[Sonar_Workflow\|Workflow]] * [[Tips_Techniques_and_Tutorials_for_Sonar\|Tips, Techniques and Tutorials]] * [[Sonar_Errors_and_Workarounds\|Errors and Workarounds]] * [[Making_Music_With_Sonar\|Making Music]] * [[Composing_Arranging_Songwriting\|Composing, Arranging & Songwriting]] * [[Optimizing_Your_DAW\|Optimizing Your DAW]] * [[Recording_Gear_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Recording Gear]] * [[Components_Included_with_Sonar\|Included Components]] * [[Effects_And_Signal_Processors_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Third-Party Effects]] * [[Virtual_Instruments\|Third-Party Virtual Instruments]] * [[Computer_Systems_For_Use_With_Sonar\|Computer Systems and Components]] * [[Sonar_Resources\|External SONAR resources]]
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Sms at 07:03, 19 September 2006

Sms — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:03:09 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 07:03, 19 September 2006
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-	~~Information about optimizing~~ '''~~SONAR~~'~~'', your OS and your computer.~~	+	(''[[Main_Page\|Back to Home Page]]'')

	You can't expect optimal performance from SONAR (or any other DAW software) with your computer and OS configured as they were right out of the box. Digital audio has its own special needs. Here are a series of things you can do to optimize your system.		You can't expect optimal performance from SONAR (or any other DAW software) with your computer and OS configured as they were right out of the box. Digital audio has its own special needs. Here are a series of things you can do to optimize your system.
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	This will produce the single largest spewing forth of information you've probably ever seen in a CLI. And you'll lose 90% of it because it will have gone in and out of the buffer. So before you do this, hit the icon on the top left of the "DOS" box, select "Defaults", go to the Layout tab, and put something on the order of 3000 in the Screen Buffer height box. Then type psservice, and --if you're not a masochist, at least-- copy it all, paste it in your favorite text editor, and search for "RUNNING". A couple lines above each instance of that you'll find the internal name for each service.		This will produce the single largest spewing forth of information you've probably ever seen in a CLI. And you'll lose 90% of it because it will have gone in and out of the buffer. So before you do this, hit the icon on the top left of the "DOS" box, select "Defaults", go to the Layout tab, and put something on the order of 3000 in the Screen Buffer height box. Then type psservice, and --if you're not a masochist, at least-- copy it all, paste it in your favorite text editor, and search for "RUNNING". A couple lines above each instance of that you'll find the internal name for each service.

		+	-----
		+	(''[[Main_Page\|Back to Home Page]]'')

Sms: /* Freeze or Archive Tracks */

Sms — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:03:57 GMT

Freeze or Archive Tracks

←Older revision		Revision as of 21:03, 18 September 2006
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	Note that SONAR ''does'' load muted tracks to memory, so muting will give you no performance gain.		Note that SONAR ''does'' load muted tracks to memory, so muting will give you no performance gain.

		+	===Adjust Latency For The Task At Hand===
		+
		+	When tracking (recording), you want as short a latency as possible. The shorter the latency, the closer your recordings are timewise to where they should be in your project.
		+
		+	But when doing editing, mixing, mastering --anything besides recording in real time-- you can turn your latency up as high as you want. This will greatly increase the number of tracks you can work with, while reducing cracking and drop-outs at the same time.

	==Optimizing '''Windows'''==		==Optimizing '''Windows'''==