Conserving resources in DP

[nero120]

Hi guys,

Im new to DP and new to this forum. It has been invaluable to me in getting started with DP and I thank you all for that.

My question is probably a typical new user issue - pops in sound. Ive got a session with around 40 audio tracks with plugins, but I am mixing them down to stereo pairs as I go to conserve resources, then muting the original tracks. That means im only really working with around 10 tracks at a time. I read that muting can still use resources and cause pops - is this true? The pops are sparse but get more frequent as I enable more tracks. My buffer is set to 1024. When I mute tracks do I have to disable the plugins on them as well, or does muting the track free up all resources the track would otherwise have taken if it was not muted? It 'looks' like the resources are muted as my CPU meter is constantly behind the half way bar.

If anyone could give me some insight or correct my approach I would be much obliged! My specs are as follows:

Mac Mini 1.4Ghz
OSX 10.3.8
1Gb RAM
Digidesign Mbox
Lacie 160Gb Firewire Drive (Dedicated for Audio)
MOTU DP 4.52

[Tim]

In the Automation Setup one can choose Mute Frees Systen Resources. That will lighten the load, but mute automation will be disabled, and un-muting tracks will have slow response.

After Freezing/Bouncing tracks, I'd save a copy, with soundbites, and then delete the un needed tracks (and unused soundbites) in my "work" sequence.

[nero120]

Thanks Tim, I'll try that.

[Kaspar]

And in Preferences "Background Processing" don't let it do anything before it's needed!