Reference Manual

571 Computer Audio Resources and Strategies
Besides providing an opportunity to conserve CPU resources on tracks containing a large num-
ber of devices, the Track Freeze command simplifies sharing projects between computers. Com-
puters that are a bit low on processing power can be used to run large Live Sets as long as any
CPU-intensive tracks are frozen. This also means that computers lacking certain devices used in
one Live Set can still play the Set when the relevant device tracks are frozen.
32.2 Managing the Disk Load
A hard drive’s access speed (which is related to, but not the same thing as rotational speed)
can limit Live’s performance. Most audio-optimized computers use 7200 RPM or faster drives.
Laptops, to save power, often use 5400 RPM or slower drives, which is why projects on laptops
usually have lower track counts. The amount of disk traffic Live generates is roughly proportional
to the number of audio channels being written or read simultaneously. A track playing a stereo
sample causes more disk traffic than a track playing a mono sample.
The Disk Overload Indicator.
The Disk Overload indicator flashes when the disk was unable to read or write audio quickly
enough. When recording audio, this condition causes a gap in the recorded sample; when play-
ing back, you will hear dropouts.
Do the following to avoid disk overload:
•Reduce the amount of audio channels being written by choosing mono inputs instead of
stereo inputs in the Audio Preferences’ Channel Configuration dialog.
•Use RAM Mode (page 113) for selected clips.
•Reduce the number of audio channels playing by using mono samples instead of stereo
samples when possible. You can convert stereo samples to mono using any standard digi-
tal audio editing program, which can be called up from within Live (page 54).