[spampup]

Hello, Again,

Now you guys have got me interested!

In responding to my earlier post
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...45a906908c6be8

(about whether or not I need to install Microsoft's fixes to prevent
problems using Firewire with WinXp SP2),
a couple of you mentioned "tweaks" to optimize a computer for DAW
recording.

It sounds like I need to "set my background operations to take
priority" (How do I do that?), but I would like to know about other
things I can do to keep things smooth and prevent problems.

Is there a good website that outlines the desired settings?


Mention was also made of a "white paper" issued by Swee****er
regarding fixes for Firewire recording problems (possibly specific to
the Presonus Firebox?)

Can anyone point me to it? I havn't been able to locate it on the
Swee****er website.

Background:

I have a Dell Inspiron 5150 laptop, 3.06GHz HT, 1.25GB RAM, 40GB HD,
running Windows XP SP2, and I'm planning to purchase a Firewire
interface such as the Firebox or the Focusrite Saffire.

Thanks!!

Ken

[Richard Crowley]

"spampup" wrote ...
It sounds like I need to "set my background operations to take
priority" (How do I do that?), but I would like to know about other
things I can do to keep things smooth and prevent problems.

Perhaps I am not understanding the phrase, but I would think that
putting the "background operations" at the lowest priority (or killing
them outright) is what would be in order for smooth recordinng
performance on a computer.

I use a utility called "End-It-All" to kill off all the extraneous processes
when using my laptop for recording. Of course I am never running
other applications, not even anti-virus, or networking (hard-wired or
wireless).

[Laurence Payne]

On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:03:20 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

Perhaps I am not understanding the phrase, but I would think that
putting the "background operations" at the lowest priority (or killing
them outright) is what would be in order for smooth recordinng
performance on a computer.

Nope. It's a system setting that prioritises between explicitly run
programs and support services. Soundcard drivers count as background
processes, and need the highest priority on a DAW.

If you just play music or record a couple of tracks, don't bother. If
you have a multichannel sound card and work your audio system rather
harder, make the setting. As I said, it's one of the few DAW tweaks
that actually makes a difference.

[Geoff]

spampup wrote:
Hello, Again,


Is there a good website that outlines the desired settings?


www.musicxp.net

geoff

[Travis Garrison]

On Mar 13, 7:36 pm, "spampup" wrote:
Mention was also made of a "white paper" issued by Swee****er
regarding fixes for Firewire recording problems (possibly specific to
the Presonus Firebox?)

Can anyone point me to it? I havn't been able to locate it on the
Swee****er website.

I believe this is the document you are referring to:

http://www.swee****er.com/sweetcare/...hp?Index=30058

Not specific to Firewire recording problems, but a useful list of XP
tweaks to optimize performance.

Travis Garrison

[ChristopheRonald]

i had nothing but problems on my laptop when switched the firewire
thingie to background services. if you defrag your harddrive
regularly, turn off all of xps crap that is unnecessary, you should
have no probs. just mess with it ahead of time...

[Richard Crowley]

"Soundhaspriority" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote ...
"spampup" wrote ...
It sounds like I need to "set my background operations to take
priority" (How do I do that?), but I would like to know about other
things I can do to keep things smooth and prevent problems.

Perhaps I am not understanding the phrase, but I would think that
putting the "background operations" at the lowest priority (or killing
them outright) is what would be in order for smooth recordinng
performance on a computer.

I use a utility called "End-It-All" to kill off all the extraneous
processes
when using my laptop for recording. Of course I am never running
other applications, not even anti-virus, or networking (hard-wired or
wireless).
Actually, not the case. The FireWire capture device runs as a background
process. It has to be prioitized.

What is the name of this process? I've never encountered this effect.

[Richard Crowley]

"Laurence Payne" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote:
Perhaps I am not understanding the phrase, but I would think that
putting the "background operations" at the lowest priority (or killing
them outright) is what would be in order for smooth recordinng
performance on a computer.

Nope. It's a system setting that prioritises between explicitly run
programs and support services. Soundcard drivers count as background
processes, and need the highest priority on a DAW.

Fine. Then boost the priority of the sound card driver(s).
But boosting the priority of a bunch of other unrelated
stuff is just goofy.

[Laurence Payne]

On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:01:01 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

Nope. It's a system setting that prioritises between explicitly run
programs and support services. Soundcard drivers count as background
processes, and need the highest priority on a DAW.

Fine. Then boost the priority of the sound card driver(s).
But boosting the priority of a bunch of other unrelated
stuff is just goofy.

Please yourself. But it's long been the standard advice from those
who make the stuff. And it works.

Think of it not so much as raising priority of background services,
but as NOT raising priority of the process in the active window (which
is the default).

Do you run a multitrack DAW?

[Richard Crowley]

"Soundhaspriority" wrote...
"Richard Crowley" wrote ...
"Laurence Payne" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote:
Perhaps I am not understanding the phrase, but I would think that
putting the "background operations" at the lowest priority (or killing
them outright) is what would be in order for smooth recordinng
performance on a computer.

Nope. It's a system setting that prioritises between explicitly run
programs and support services. Soundcard drivers count as background
processes, and need the highest priority on a DAW.

Fine. Then boost the priority of the sound card driver(s).
But boosting the priority of a bunch of other unrelated
stuff is just goofy.

It's not goofy, considering that it is the standard recommendation of
people who supply the hardware, and the drivers for them.

Right. And the "people who supply the hardware" know (and care)
about all the other stuff installed in and running on your computer.
Perhaps you just haven't completely thought through the implications
of your statement.

I checked the headers and believe I am responding to the real
Morein, but it is getting more difficult to tell. :-(

[Laurence Payne]

On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:23:07 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

It's not goofy, considering that it is the standard recommendation of
people who supply the hardware, and the drivers for them.

Right. And the "people who supply the hardware" know (and care)
about all the other stuff installed in and running on your computer.
Perhaps you just haven't completely thought through the implications
of your statement.

Are you arguing this point from practical knowledge and experience, or
just arguing for fun? :-)

[Richard Crowley]

"Laurence Payne" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote:

It's not goofy, considering that it is the standard recommendation
of
people who supply the hardware, and the drivers for them.

Right. And the "people who supply the hardware" know (and care)
about all the other stuff installed in and running on your computer.
Perhaps you just haven't completely thought through the implications
of your statement.

Are you arguing this point from practical knowledge and experience, or
just arguing for fun? :-)

The whole point is to reduce the amount of resouces that
are used for things not essential to the task (live recording).
Increasing the priority of ALL the background processes is
the OPPOSITE of the desired effect.

Certainly identifying the required drivers (for the sound card,
etc.) and boosting their priority is desirable. But increasing
the priority of the other stuff is worse than doing nothing.

[Laurence Payne]

On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:35:43 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

Are you arguing this point from practical knowledge and experience, or
just arguing for fun? :-)

The whole point is to reduce the amount of resouces that
are used for things not essential to the task (live recording).
Increasing the priority of ALL the background processes is
the OPPOSITE of the desired effect.

Certainly identifying the required drivers (for the sound card,
etc.) and boosting their priority is desirable. But increasing
the priority of the other stuff is worse than doing nothing.

Did you miss the point that the default is to boost priority of the
process in the top window. This setting merely removes that boost.

I ask again - do you use a DAW? It sounds as if you had never
previously heard of this recommendation.

[Richard Crowley]

"Laurence Payne" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote:

Are you arguing this point from practical knowledge and experience,
or
just arguing for fun? :-)

The whole point is to reduce the amount of resouces that
are used for things not essential to the task (live recording).
Increasing the priority of ALL the background processes is
the OPPOSITE of the desired effect.

Certainly identifying the required drivers (for the sound card,
etc.) and boosting their priority is desirable. But increasing
the priority of the other stuff is worse than doing nothing.

Did you miss the point that the default is to boost priority of the
process in the top window. This setting merely removes that boost.

And equally affects the processes you DON'T want to be
interferring with recording. Sorry, still makes no sense.

I ask again - do you use a DAW? It sounds as if you had never
previously heard of this recommendation.

I manage ~150 computers. Several of them are video NLE
systems, and several others are DAWs. I've heard all sorts
of recommendations that turn out to be myths or old wive's
tales. Or simply thoughtless generalizations. YMMV

[Laurence Payne]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 04:55:03 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
wrote:

Did you miss the point that the default is to boost priority of the
process in the top window. This setting merely removes that boost.

And equally affects the processes you DON'T want to be
interferring with recording. Sorry, still makes no sense.

A single process was being boosted unnecessarily. Not doing that
makes sense.

I ask again - do you use a DAW? It sounds as if you had never
previously heard of this recommendation.

I manage ~150 computers. Several of them are video NLE
systems, and several others are DAWs. I've heard all sorts
of recommendations that turn out to be myths or old wive's
tales. Or simply thoughtless generalizations. YMMV

That wasn't what I asked. Do YOU use a DAW? I think you're arguing
from (slightly misunderstood) principles. I'm arguing from practical
experience.

[Arny Krueger]

"Richard Crowley" wrote in message

"Laurence Payne" wrote ...
"Richard Crowley" wrote:

Are you arguing this point from practical knowledge
and experience, or
just arguing for fun? :-)

The whole point is to reduce the amount of resouces that
are used for things not essential to the task (live
recording). Increasing the priority of ALL the
background processes is the OPPOSITE of the desired effect.

Certainly identifying the required drivers (for the
sound card, etc.) and boosting their priority is
desirable. But increasing the priority of the other
stuff is worse than doing nothing.

Did you miss the point that the default is to boost
priority of the process in the top window. This setting
merely removes that boost.

And equally affects the processes you DON'T want to be
interferring with recording. Sorry, still makes no sense.

I ask again - do you use a DAW? It sounds as if you had
never previously heard of this recommendation.

I manage ~150 computers. Several of them are video NLE
systems, and several others are DAWs. I've heard all
sorts of recommendations that turn out to be myths or old
wive's tales. Or simply thoughtless generalizations. YMMV

I don't manage computers on that scale, but I do have a couple-four
dedicated DAWs and video workstations (one is both). They all run XP SP2 as
installed straight out of the MS OEM box, and are otherwise almost completly
untweaked. If a machine is just running the audio or video app and has
never even seen any other kind of software, there's really not a lot to
prioritize. I mean I only record 28 channels for 30-80 minutes at a time
whenever I need to with predictable results. What do I know? ;-)

[Laurence Payne]

On Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:09:27 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

I don't manage computers on that scale, but I do have a couple-four
dedicated DAWs and video workstations (one is both). They all run XP SP2 as
installed straight out of the MS OEM box, and are otherwise almost completly
untweaked. If a machine is just running the audio or video app and has
never even seen any other kind of software, there's really not a lot to
prioritize. I mean I only record 28 channels for 30-80 minutes at a time
whenever I need to with predictable results. What do I know? ;-)

"Almost completely.." Which tweaks DO you use?

[Arny Krueger]

"Laurence Payne" lpayne1NOSPAM@dslDOTpipexDOTcom wrote in
message
On Sun, 18 Mar 2007 08:09:27 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

I don't manage computers on that scale, but I do have a
couple-four dedicated DAWs and video workstations (one
is both). They all run XP SP2 as installed straight out
of the MS OEM box, and are otherwise almost completly
untweaked. If a machine is just running the audio or
video app and has never even seen any other kind of
software, there's really not a lot to prioritize. I mean
I only record 28 channels for 30-80 minutes at a time
whenever I need to with predictable results. What do I
know? ;-)

"Almost completely.." Which tweaks DO you use?

I often make the swap file bigger, expecially if the machine is for video.
The rest is configuration choices, like multiple hard drives when the
software benefits from it.