Optimize Pro Tools: Conserve CPU Power

When using Pro Tools on a native based system you may run into the problem of running out of CPU power in complex mix. With all the audio being pulled from you harddrive, the effects plugins running in real time, the mix automation working seamlessly, and even the graphical interface of Pro Tools displaying your masterpiece in radiant colors, it’s not uncommon to hit a wall at some points and be in need of just a bit more power.

There is a lot you can do to give you that extra push of CPU gusto, but here are just 3 quick tips that are convenient and can help out:

Remove Page Scrolling

Typically when you are playing or recording, Pro Tools is set to scroll through as the cursor reaches the far right of your screen. As wonderful as this feature is, it steals CPU power that could be used instead for actually processing your audio. It’s super easy to switch this off. Simply click on Options – Edit Window Scrolling and choose No Scrolling. That’s it!

Reduce Your Levels Of Undo

One feature of digital recording that I love (and rely on) is the Undo button. It’s nice that Pro Tools gives you a ton of levels of Undo (my setup has up to 32), but in reality Pro Tools is stealing a bunch of your computer’s RAM to store all of these stages in your system, just in case you ever want to Undo 32 times. To free up some power, simply reduce the levels undo available to you.

To do that, simply go to your Pro Tools Preferences window under the Setup menu. Click on the Editing tab and at the bottom of the window should be your Undo section. Type in reduced number of Undos and you’re golden.

Turn Off Sends View Meters

When recording in Pro Tools it’s very helpful to have one Send visible in the mix window per track. This way it allows you to see the actual fader and level without having pop up a sperate fader window. I do this a lot to make quick headphone mix adjustments for the talent. But this takes more CPU power to display the send meters all the time, so we’re going to just turn that feature off.

To do this, simply go to the View menu, click on Sends A-E (or whichever sends you are using) and click on Assignments. This will then display the 5 sends assignment slots rather than just one send and it’s subsequent metering. Done!

That’s it folks! Three simple tweaks to optimize your Pro Tools rig for more CPU power. Happy music making my friends!

—-

For the ultimate in Pro Tools tutorials, download your copy of REthink Pro Tools and start becoming a Pro Tools power user by this weekend! www.REthinkProTools.com