If the processor is not maxed out and you are using a number of sample-based instruments, it could be an issue of samples needing to be continually loaded and unloaded or streamed from disk and the disk drive not keeping up with the task. For “normal” plugin and VST instrument usage, a current quad-core Intel i7 processor is more than adequate - most setups can actually be run on a current dual-core i5, unless you really are using tons of CPU hogs like DIVA… There are two solutions to the processor power issue: (1) get a faster one and / or (2) get more cores to work on the processing in parallel. Have a look at Cantabile’s load meter - it will tell you (to some extent) if your processor is maxed out. Usually a reasonable starting buffer size for ASIO drivers is 128 samples.Įven with a reasonable buffer, your processor may not be able to keep up with the effort of calculating sound in time to fill the next buffer. So optimizing buffer sizes is always a compromise between performance (avoiding pops and clicks) and latency. But there is a cost: a larger buffer means more LATENCY: essentially this is the time it takes between creating the sound (hitting a key) and hearing the sound. So a larger buffer will take strain off your system and allow you to process more plugins and play more CPU-hungry synths. creating sound) instead of running back and forth sending new buckets of sound to the audio interface. A larger buffer means essentially that your system has more time to actually perform calculations (i.e. The audio buffer for your interface is too small, so your system is constantly busy filling the buffer instead of calculating the sound. There are a couple of main reasons for the buffer running empty: Essentially, this is the sound of scraping the bottom of an empty barrel This happens when data doesn’t arrive at your audio interface in time to fill a new buffer when the current one has already been played.

“Popping” sounds are usually an indicator for the audio stream being interrupted.

I’ll try not to be too technical about this - so apologies to the tech-savy crew for not being 100% precise at all times for the sake of simplicity…

Using vst in reason 10