Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
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This forum is for most discussion related to the use and optimization of Digital Performer [MacOS] and plug-ins as well as tips and techniques. It is NOT for troubleshooting technical issues, complaints, feature requests, or "Comparative DAW 101."
This forum is for most discussion related to the use and optimization of Digital Performer [MacOS] and plug-ins as well as tips and techniques. It is NOT for troubleshooting technical issues, complaints, feature requests, or "Comparative DAW 101."
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Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
I'm trying to optimize my 6-core Mac Pro, which is running DP and VE Pro server.
When I open Activity Monitor and pick the memory tab, I see that I still have free memory with my DP template and my large VE Pro template.
When I switch to the CPU usage tab in Activity Monitor, I see all sorts of crazy numbers.
The % CPU column shows percentages for DP and VE Pro way over 100 %.
At the same time, the System/User/Idle box on the lower left show around 80 % idle at the same time.
The little bar-graph does it's own thing.
How does this all work?
How do you interpret any of this?
Thanks!
When I open Activity Monitor and pick the memory tab, I see that I still have free memory with my DP template and my large VE Pro template.
When I switch to the CPU usage tab in Activity Monitor, I see all sorts of crazy numbers.
The % CPU column shows percentages for DP and VE Pro way over 100 %.
At the same time, the System/User/Idle box on the lower left show around 80 % idle at the same time.
The little bar-graph does it's own thing.
How does this all work?
How do you interpret any of this?
Thanks!
OSX Big Sur (latest). Mac Pro Late 2013 ("trash-can"), 3.5 Ghz 6-Core Intel XeonE5, 64GB RAM. Motu DP 11.03, Vienna Pro Server, Presonus Notion, Osculator, Keyboard Maestro
- MIDI Life Crisis
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Re: Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
Don't put large multiple instruments in a single instance of your VI. Smaller instruments can be in one VI, but if you have several instantiations of the VI, each one will address a different core of the machine. Single instances only address a single core. So if you spread the VIs out over 6 instances, you'll use all six cores and the CPU will not get bogged down trying to do the same job with access to a single core.
That doesn't answer your question, but it may solve your problem. It's called multi-threading and DP takes good advantage of it. Rule of thumb: Each large VI instrument should have it's own fader in the mixer (or v-rack).
Thanks to MagicD at MOTU for that tip.
That doesn't answer your question, but it may solve your problem. It's called multi-threading and DP takes good advantage of it. Rule of thumb: Each large VI instrument should have it's own fader in the mixer (or v-rack).
Thanks to MagicD at MOTU for that tip.
- HCMarkus
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Re: Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
I believe that, because your CPU has six cores, full utilization of all cores will read as 600%.JSmith1234567 wrote:I'm trying to optimize my 6-core Mac Pro, which is running DP and VE Pro server.... When I switch to the CPU usage tab in Activity Monitor, I see all sorts of crazy numbers. The % CPU column shows percentages for DP and VE Pro way over 100 %.
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Re: Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
and thank YOU for that tip !!!MIDI Life Crisis wrote:Don't put large multiple instruments in a single instance of your VI. Smaller instruments can be in one VI, but if you have several instantiations of the VI, each one will address a different core of the machine. Single instances only address a single core. So if you spread the VIs out over 6 instances, you'll use all six cores and the CPU will not get bogged down trying to do the same job with access to a single core.
That doesn't answer your question, but it may solve your problem. It's called multi-threading and DP takes good advantage of it. Rule of thumb: Each large VI instrument should have it's own fader in the mixer (or v-rack).
Thanks to MagicD at MOTU for that tip.
OSX Big Sur (latest). Mac Pro Late 2013 ("trash-can"), 3.5 Ghz 6-Core Intel XeonE5, 64GB RAM. Motu DP 11.03, Vienna Pro Server, Presonus Notion, Osculator, Keyboard Maestro
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- Posts: 746
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:48 pm
- Primary DAW OS: Unspecified
Re: Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
that makes more sense to me now. thanks!HCMarkus wrote:I believe that, because your CPU has six cores, full utilization of all cores will read as 600%.JSmith1234567 wrote:I'm trying to optimize my 6-core Mac Pro, which is running DP and VE Pro server.... When I switch to the CPU usage tab in Activity Monitor, I see all sorts of crazy numbers. The % CPU column shows percentages for DP and VE Pro way over 100 %.
OSX Big Sur (latest). Mac Pro Late 2013 ("trash-can"), 3.5 Ghz 6-Core Intel XeonE5, 64GB RAM. Motu DP 11.03, Vienna Pro Server, Presonus Notion, Osculator, Keyboard Maestro
- HCMarkus
- Posts: 9712
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:01 am
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Rancho Bohemia, California
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Re: Activity Monitor / How to use it ???
One optimization is to make sure you use your RAM to the fullest by maximizing pre-load of VI sample sets. One member here questioned whether doing so results in real-world performance gains, and I can only offer my subjective impression of smoother operation. Regardless, the concept sounds good in theory...
Here's the thread:
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=63621
Have fun!
Here's the thread:
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=63621
Have fun!
HC Markus
M1 Mac Studio Ultra • 64GB RAM • 828es • macOS 13.6.4 • DP 11.31
M1 Mac Studio Ultra • 64GB RAM • 828es • macOS 13.6.4 • DP 11.31