Reference Manual

569 Computer Audio Resources and Strategies
effect produces a “tail,“ like reverbs and delays, deactivation occurs only after all calculations
are complete.)
While this scheme is very effective at reducing the average CPU load of a Live Set, it cannot
reduce the peak load. To make sure your Live Set plays back continuously, even under the most
intense conditions, play back a clip in every track simultaneously, with all devices enabled.
32.1.3 Track Freeze
Live‘s Freeze Track command can greatly help in managing the CPU load incurred by devices
and clip settings. When you select a track and execute the Freeze Track command, Live will
create a sample file for each Session clip in the track, plus one for the Arrangement. Thereafter,
clips in the track will simply play back their “freeze files“ rather than repeatedly calculating
processor-intensive device and clip settings in real time. The Freeze Track command is available
from Live‘s Edit menu and from the [right-click](PC) / [CTRL-click](Mac) context menu of tracks
and clips. Be aware that it is not possible to freeze a Group Track (page 196); you can only
freeze tracks that hold clips.
Normally, freezing happens very quickly. But if you freeze a track that contains an External
Audio Effect (page 316) or External Instrument (page 401) that routes to a hardware effects
device or synthesizer, the freezing process happens in real-time. Live will automatically detect if
real-time freezing is necessary, and you‘ll be presented with several options for managing the
process. Please see the section on real-time rendering (page 46) for an explanation of these
options.
Once any processing demands have been addressed (or you have upgraded your machine!),
you can always select a frozen track and choose Unfreeze Track from the Edit menu to change
device or clip settings. On slower machines, you can unfreeze processor-intensive tracks one at
a time to make edits, freezing them again when you are done.
Many editing functions remain available to tracks that are frozen. Launching clips can still be
done freely, and mixer controls such as volume, pan and the sends are still available. Other pos-
sibilities include:
•Edit, cut, copy, paste, duplicate and trim clips;
•Draw and edit mixer automation and mixer clip envelopes;
•Consolidate;