Use large disk buffers
Using larger disk buffers reduces the global seek time and
increases the transfer rate.
On the Workbench screen, click once on the application
icon, then select the Icons->Information... menu
item.
A window opens. Add this tooltype (or edit the tooltype if
already present):
VMM_BUFFERS=LARGE (if you have at least 64MB RAM)
or
VMM_BUFFERS=MEDIUM (if you have at least 32MB RAM)
or
VMM_BUFFERS=SMALL (if you have at least 16MB RAM)
Use larger disk block sizes
Using larger disk block sizes reduces the global seek time and
increases the transfer rate.
OS3.1 includes a special version of the tool HDToolBox that
lets you edit the size of disk blocks of any of your partitions.
You'll then need to format your modified partitions. Backup
your files first!
Be careful with disk caching software
Use third party disk caching software with great care.
The application has its own optimized disk management system.
Disk caching software may sometimes help getting more tracks but
sometimes degrades performances as disk caching consumes
extra CPU time.
As a rule of thumb, if you have a very fast CPU and a slow
disk, disk caching software may help.
In any case, if you use caching software please experiment
also running the application without it and compare the
results.
Disable realtime animations
Disabling realtime animations (peak meters, SMPTE counter, ...)
saves a surprising amount of CPU time.
Start disabling the peak meters first (big saving), then the
SMPTE counter and cursor (limited saving) if necessary.
To enable/disable animation use the Settings menu.
Close plugins windows
Close plugins windows when possible. Possible animated objects,
such as peak meters, consume CPU time.
Join tracks
Sometimes it's possible to reduce the number of tracks required
for a project just by having some care when placing audio objects.
If you have non-overlapping objects on different tracks move
them to a single track: even empty (silent) track-segments
must be processed by the mixing console and the plugins system.
If you join tracks then switch off the unused ones.
Use the RAM: drive
Use the RAM: drive. If you work with non linear tracks made of smaller
objects rather than one-shot long tracks, try putting some recordings
in RAM:, then use the Link function when importing.
If the project is small enough, just move the whole project in RAM:
and work there. REMEBER TO TRANSFER IT TO A DISK BEFORE SWITCHING
OFF YOUR COMPUTER.
This second solution is more handy as, when reopening the project later,
you'll be able to work immediatly on it regardless its location. In
case of Linking instead, you'll have to remeber which files were
linked from RAM: and you'll have to copy them there before opening the
project.
Avoid running concurrent programs that are not multitasking-friendly
Avoid running concurrent programs that are not multitasking-friendly.
The application is strongly based on the multitasking enviroment and is fully
system compliant. Please don't mix it with software that breaks these
rules.
Defragment your disk.
Defragment your disk often. A fragmented disk increases the time needed
to access audio files during relatime operations. Keep a separate partition
for audio if you plan to defragment.