Dual/Multi Core support

[psishock]

As jikoo reminded me on the general forum, this one is reeeealy needed for VST(i)s. I always need to work separately on a few channels because not having enough processing power . Hearing all channels at once, without needing to render everything to .wav would save very huge time.

[Nahkranoth]

Nah, what really needed is proper and stable VST support with bank loading ability, some good vst browser and finally - modular host
This is not possible in near (and even far) future, but it would be damn good.
Just curious, how many channels/synths/effects are you using at the same time if you have this problem on dual/multi core?

[psishock]

I'm using an intel Core2Duo overclocked to about 3ghz (that is still very powerful imo), but the situation often can get pretty out of hand.

i'm usually hooking 1-3 effect to 1 VSTi, but the overflow can happen if i example run/automate even 2-3 very complex basses or strings (means hell lots of oscillators modulating each other, fast LFOs included and etc.) VSTis simultaneity.

About channels, hmm i like to spread out my work place, means that i use a separate channel for every type of sound (but that's not really matters because it will give all the midi messages to a same specified VSTi, just gives me comfort when i edit/ more precise preview)
So i use usually about 10-16max for drum, ~6 for bass, ~6-8 for strings, ~4 for leads, and you can count ~10 more for "FX" and other "filler" sounds that will make the experience more richer.
There you have it, about ~40 sounds at a time at least. (means i haven't even counted the multiplier that you need to include on polyphony sounds) I can easily reach 3-400+ :shock: sounds at a time because of their extended release time.
Talking about the need for every single extra way to free up my cpu  , i very much would like to ask for the multicore support. ^_^
I'm thinking anyway to buy a strong 3-4ghz dual/quad core processor and clock it 'till it lets me. That way i will breathe a bit more easier with polyphony. =)

complex strings and very fast LFO based basses are the most tricky ones. (cpu hogs)

[LPChip]

I use alot of VSTi's with alot of effects over it, and I don't get that much CPU problems.

I would say that your VSTi is just very resource heavy, and it might be good to find an alternative that is less cpu heavy.

I once had a situation where my reverb plugin just caused cpu lag. When I found out that it was that plugin, reducing its usage solved all my problems.

And yes, I'm using heavy weight plugs too, like Kontakt, Absynth 4, FM8, etc.

[psishock]

well, i'm only using FM8 now as you already know =) it totally hit the spot for me.
The VST effects are not a problem, but this VSTi can be really resource heavy, totally depends from the sound setup.
If you got any potential alternative that worth a try, drop a comment or two. I personally don't know anything on the market that could replace it.

what i need is:
- 5-6 wave OSCs (with ratio and offset support) that can be modulated with each other
- 1 resonant filter (least)
- graphical envelopes for every OSCs and filter
- least 1 LFO, but more the better
- noise OSC, but not necessary, drums are not CPU hogs
- unison (least 4-8 voices)
- polyphony (the more the better, i would say about 32 minimum, optimal would b 128+)
- portamento support

...hmmm yea, can't thing right now of anything else important, that should cover the basics.

[LPChip]

I'd say: try finding an additional light-weight plugin that you can use next to FM8, so the sounds that don't really require 6 OSC's will use another plugin. That way, you'll have more cpu power for your other stuff. For instance, a good bass often can be made with simple plugins because they all support that whats needed for a simple bass.

[nobuyuki]

psishock:  Just out of curiosity, how are you able to use FM8 with openMPT without it locking up?  Every time I close the VSTi window for FM8, openMPT hard locks

[LPChip]

psishock:  Just out of curiosity, how are you able to use FM8 with openMPT without it locking up?  Every time I close the VSTi window for FM8, openMPT hard locks

By using it inside Xlutop Chainer.

[bvanoudtshoorn]

By using it inside Xlutop Chainer.

If they start developing Chainer again, they should give it a new tagline:

"Xlutop Chainer -- it solves all your VST problems in OpenMPT!"

[psishock]

nobuyuki:
Well, i can use it without any lockups without Chainer, but if any trouble is experienced yeah, Chainer is the solution 4 u. Maybe you need to upgrade it to the latest version (FM8 i mean), i have 1.03.