Configuring for (near) real time processing (and back)


  1. Posts : 3
    Win 10 64 bit Pro
       #1

    Configuring for (near) real time processing (and back)


    Dear friends,
    I have assembled a modern PC for my son who is a musician for his music production needs, but also as a general purpose PC (we don't have enough space and money to have a dedicated rig).

    As you might now music production has a stringent "real time" requirement with the CPU needing to keep a steady flow of processed data into the audio interface buffers with a latency that cannot be greater than 10-20 milliseconds, the lower the better.

    While trying to optimise his system I have discovered the obvious : there are drivers, devices, processes, services, settings and applications which would be better turned off when the PC is used for recording music (eg. antivirus, network, graphic effects etc.)

    The same things need to be in a different state when the PC is used for general purpose stuff (surfing, office etc.)

    Is there a way to automate the most of these things in a simple way so that ideally you'd have two "profiles" and could switch between the two easily ?

    Thanks a lot.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Welcome to TenForums, rjalex.

    I'm by no means an expert but two possibilities come to mind:

    1) If you have sufficient disk space, set up a dual boot system - one with the general purpose environment and the other with a stripped down OS environment, perhaps even Linux if it supports the software needed for music production, or

    2) A batch file to reconfigure the operating system (as in msconfig) and reboot the system into the configuration needed.

    I haven't done a lot of batch files for a few years but I'm guessing either a batch file or script executed from either a command prompt environment or within Windows PowerShell may work for item 2).

    I'm not the expert to advise you on all of the specifics but saw no response to you for 4 days and thought at least my response might generate more response for you from other forum members that have more specific knowledge to share with you.

    Other than that, you may get more specifics from another internet community that specializes in your situation of dual use with limited resources for music production.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Win 10 64 bit Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks a lot for trying to help.
    I'm kind of stuck into a void since on the music production sites (kvr, gearslutz etc.) a lot of people are still holding to their 8.1 and even 7 because of the sensitive dependencies they have with their software and drivers so not a lot of experience with Win10 there.

    Your dual boot idea might be a simpler option which I'll look into.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 120
    Windows 10 (duh)
       #4

    By design, it's impossible for Windows 10 to get as close to that, as can Windows 7/8.
    Even then, you might find a Linux distribution working better for the task, but sadly lacking in the audio software department.

    Things will change once true dx12 hardware hits the market (couple years away).

    Edit: there is a "popular" guide / scripts for audio setup under Windows 7/8/8.1 to check out:
    Computer Audio Design Computer setup
    Read the guide, try the shell killer or audio optimization scripts.
    Won't make a great difference, since the problem is at the driver level, but will surely help, as I've got some friends using these for a pub setup.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 135
    win10
       #5

    rjalex said:
    Dear friends,
    I have assembled a modern PC for my son who is a musician for his music production needs, but also as a general purpose PC (we don't have enough space and money to have a dedicated rig).

    As you might now music production has a stringent "real time" requirement with the CPU needing to keep a steady flow of processed data into the audio interface buffers with a latency that cannot be greater than 10-20 milliseconds, the lower the better.

    While trying to optimise his system I have discovered the obvious : there are drivers, devices, processes, services, settings and applications which would be better turned off when the PC is used for recording music (eg. antivirus, network, graphic effects etc.)

    The same things need to be in a different state when the PC is used for general purpose stuff (surfing, office etc.)

    Is there a way to automate the most of these things in a simple way so that ideally you'd have two "profiles" and could switch between the two easily ?

    Thanks a lot.
    Hi.

    I been reading the responses and decided to add my bit that I learn from other people that do music(DAW) systems.


    make sure power options in windows is set to high performance.(this will make sure the system has access to all the cores of the cpu and performance, along with other devices.)

    disable advance power-savings setting in bios.
    Enhanced Intel Speed Step (EIST) for intel and AMD cool'n'Quiet for Amd.



    disable C-states

    those options is make the cpu idle clocks stay at its highest speed and not drop to lower clock speed.
    energy usage difference is minimal.

    more info on
    Article Detailshttps://www.steinberg.net/

    here is example from my bios, if computer is OEM(dell,HP,ect) it might not have these options.

    sorry crappy phone pic.



    I have disabled on my is
    CPU Enhance Halt
    C3/C6 State Support
    CPU EIST Function

    if computer is AMD. then options could be different.


    even though it says to disable turbo, you dont have too if your disable all the energery setting in the bios, because the cpu will run at that speed at all time.

    again energy usage difference is minimal, because the cpu actually isnt processing until your actually doing something on the system.
    Last edited by dskiller; 12 Oct 2015 at 03:24.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Win 10 64 bit Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Great advice. Thank you.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:59.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums