Tips to save CPU during mixing

Nebulous

Nebulous

Daniel
Dec 14, 2003
4,536
3
38
Brookfield, VIC, Australia
Ok, so this isn't completely a "How do mix?" thread, I've done so before and have a certain workflow going already, but the current project I'm working on (still tracking, hoping to be ready to mix in 2 or so months) may get a little bit larger in it's track count than all my previous mixes. What bothers me more about that, is the fact that it isn't metal so has alot of acoustic and uncompressed instruments, meaning I'll be using more plugins (compression, amp sim on bass, eq) and with more vocal tracks than I've worked with before, auto tune will be run on anywhere between 5-10 tracks.

So, with previous experience, I'm aware of basic buss track usage for similar instruments (stereo OH's/ room tracks, backing vocals, leads, multiple rhythm tracks) and send for effects.
Does anyone have any tips as far as a greater use of bussing to create either a greater workflow and/ or save on CPU?

What I'm thinking I'll be required to do on this project that I wouldn't usually do is to print some plugins and processing to the tracks. What is the best way to print EQ or amp sims to tracks? I'm sure that reading the manual for Cubase 5 may give me an indication, so if there is only one way, feel free to refer me to that instead of posting the process.

Also, with the integrated Cubase auto tune, will "bounce selection" print the tuning to the track, or is there a different process for that? Or, does it infact not need to be printed (ie, will it shift the pitch, then "freeze" the processing/ CPU usage)?

Feel free to address those concerns or just generally discuss the topic.

Cheers
 
Ctrl+Alt+Del to get to system control and then go to processes and find cubase then left click and set priority REALTIME....should have immediate effect, but won't help you add another 10 tracks. :D

Then you can also export audio tracks you already set-up right and import them back.
 
Hm, setting priority is a good one. Never knew about that before. Normally at the point where I start mixing I just close all programs running in the background and turn my modem off.
 
Audio buffer size to maximum, you do not need low latency for mixing
Run the session from a second internal drive, or external firewire drive
Sends for any time FX (reverb and delay)

Make some commitments.
Do your basic guitar processing (probably the cause of your high cpu usage) in another session, bounce down your guitar tracks with the amp sims and impulses. Import them into your mix session for additional compression and EQ.


Cubase has a very quick bounce to clips and replace function.
 
Well first off make sure your system is completely optimized for mixing work, giving all priority to the DAW. A good way of doing this is reformatting and setting up a dual-boot system where you have one OS dedicated to audio work entirely, and the other to your other shit.

This way you can just not install any anti-virus, internet etc. software, disable your ethernet adapters, remove as many services as humanly possible whilst still having a barebones functioning OS. Make sure there is no 3rd party software running in the back apart from Cubase. Disable all XP visual themes, system sounds etc. Tweak tweak tweak.

TinyXP is the best starting point.

As far as plug-ins go, there's not much to say that isn't common knowledge. Don't use ones that hog system resources. The Waves SSL pack is great for its channel strip because you get everything you need for drums in one instance. Make sure to print all your sample replacement, if there is any, print all your tuning and leave as little running in real-time as you possibly can. Also play around and make sure you're using the highest buffer latency you can get away with. For instance back in the day I used to mix with about 100ms delay to triple my CPU headroom from running down at 5ms.

Also, grab my ASP8s. They won't reduce your system load, but you'll hear better and make more effective use of the plug-ins you do have going :lol:
 
AudioGeekZine said:
Audio buffer size to maximum, you do not need low latency for mixing
Run the session from a second internal drive, or external firewire drive
Sends for any time FX (reverb and delay)

Make some commitments.
Do your basic guitar processing (probably the cause of your high cpu usage) in another session, bounce down your guitar tracks with the amp sims and impulses. Import them into your mix session for additional compression and EQ.


Cubase has a very quick bounce to clips and replace function.
Click to expand...

In this case, not being metal, I'm actually using clean DI signal with comp, EQ and FX for the guitars. My plan was to have the EQ and possibly compression printed/ bounced to the track.
So far in my editing of drums and guitars, I've used the "bounce selection" tool from the top drop down menu (at work now so can't confirm, I think it's the Audio drop down menu). Will this same tool work for the EQ and comp too? In the editing stage I've actually had some basic EQ going to make it easier to monitor and edit, and have left the EQ on when bouncing and replacing the tracks. I don't think that it's printed to EQ to the track as yet.

I will do the same thing with the bass amp sim, which I know is a big hog in this session.

Ermz said:
Well first off make sure your system is completely optimized for mixing work, giving all priority to the DAW. A good way of doing this is reformatting and setting up a dual-boot system where you have one OS dedicated to audio work entirely, and the other to your other shit.

This way you can just not install any anti-virus, internet etc. software, disable your ethernet adapters, remove as many services as humanly possible whilst still having a barebones functioning OS. Make sure there is no 3rd party software running in the back apart from Cubase. Disable all XP visual themes, system sounds etc. Tweak tweak tweak.

TinyXP is the best starting point.

As far as plug-ins go, there's not much to say that isn't common knowledge. Don't use ones that hog system resources. The Waves SSL pack is great for its channel strip because you get everything you need for drums in one instance. Make sure to print all your sample replacement, if there is any, print all your tuning and leave as little running in real-time as you possibly can. Also play around and make sure you're using the highest buffer latency you can get away with. For instance back in the day I used to mix with about 100ms delay to triple my CPU headroom from running down at 5ms.

Also, grab my ASP8s. They won't reduce your system load, but you'll hear better and make more effective use of the plug-ins you do have going :lol:
Click to expand...

Good points, but considering that I'm into the project already, not sure that I'm gonig to re-format again. Did that not too long ago actually.
In this case I'm glad there's no smapling, but as you and I mentioned, I'd like to print the tuning to the track. Just not sure If I can do this in a "bounce and replace" method, or if I have to export and import (for some reason the latter method seems annoying and cluttered to me)?

I know that you like to print plugins/ processing to tracks Ermz, is there a way to do it where you get to audition the plugin then print? I haven't really looked at my options for this, hence the questions- don't want to fuck around with roundabout or incorrect methods. I remember back in the day I found that all plugins were availavle in the Audio>process audio menu, but as far as I remember, there was no option to audiotion/ monitor the changes with that method. Is it again a matter of exporting and importing?

Thanks guise!
 
Oh, also, not sure about the ASP8's. Cash is abit tight at the moment with the house coming. Just spent abit on a new matress not too long ago, so I have to get back into saving mode before the contract is signed.
 
Not so much saving CPU , but good computer maintenance in general, is to clear out unnecessary and obsolete keys in Regedit. Be careful, since deleting the wrong keys can totally fuck your computer, but if you use a modicum of intelligence, you should be fine.
 
perhaps new cpu.... like intel quad core can be ur answer lol

just my suggestion but whats ur current system???
 
xmortumx said:
perhaps new cpu.... like intel quad core can be ur answer lol

just my suggestion but whats ur current system???
Click to expand...

Single 3.0 at the moment, but it's enough if I play my cards right and not hog the resources.

Is anyone albe to advise the best way to print the processing to the tracks?
I'll read the manual when I get a chance, but that may not be for afew days yet.
 
Hey dude, I had like 30 tracks to mix in Cubase SX3 and MY WAS DISK OVERLOADING!!!! AAAAAAAAA......:hotjump:


Ok seriously, does anyone know how to get that shit fixed?
 
not a cubendo or pc user, but....
render any ampsims/cab I.Rs , drumagogs and soft synths.
i prefer working with the finished audio files
 
Nebulous said:
Single 3.0 at the moment, but it's enough if I play my cards right and not hog the resources.

Is anyone albe to advise the best way to print the processing to the tracks?
I'll read the manual when I get a chance, but that may not be for afew days yet.
Click to expand...

There may be a better method in newer versions of Cubase, but I tend to dial the plug-ins in real time, save the preset, then apply that plug-in running that preset offline to the track, so I know what I'm getting.
 
Good to know those little tricks! Right now I got one song/project in reaper that can't be opened anymore. It's got about 6 or 7 instances of Revalver, 2x EZDrummer and a Bassamp-Sim. Not even vocals yet :Smug: When I try to open it reaper just crashes. Crap.
 
Sorta related..

If you've got a bunch of tracks that only come in in certain parts of the song (a synth or something), is it better to have that track playing through the whole song, with silence before and after it, or is it better to just have that track playing where there's actual audio. Explaining it very badly..

Is it better to have your whole project filled with tracks like 'Desc-GtrSoloA' or 'Desc-GtrSoloB'?

Tracks.JPG
 
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