Reference Guide

1121
Improving performance with digital audio
Improving audio performance
Multiprocessor load balancing
SONAR’s audio engine has enhanced multicore performance and load balancing.
The CPU meter in the Control Bar’s Performance module shows the time it takes to process a buffer
full of audio data as a percentage of the maximum time available to process that data and maintain
uninterrupted playback. There is one CPU meter for each core in your computer, up to 32 core
Figure 315. The Performance module.
A. CPU meters (one per core)
See also:
“SONAR allows you to set the number of queue buffers in Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver
Settings. A higher number of queue buffers will take longer to fill, and therefore cause an increase in
latency. A lower number of queue buffers decreases latency, but may cause “dropouts.” The default
setting is 2. For more information, see “Mixing latency” on page 1117, and “Dropouts and other
audio problems” on page 1123.CPU meter/Disk meter/Dropout indicator” on page 1119
Reduce GUI updates to improve playback performance
SONAR has a CPU conservation mode that reduces the number of GUI updates with no effect on
actual playback quality and rendering. This maximizes CPU resources for the audio engine and can
be useful while playing projects that consume a lot of CPU, to help avoid dropouts.
Like the Scroll Lock key, the Pause key now works as a special GUI throttle toggle key. When the
Pause key is pressed, SONAR runs in a CPU conservation mode by reducing the frequency of GUI
updates. For example, VU meter updates, Now position pointer and progress updates will appear to
update less frequently.
During CPU conservation mode, the UI is only updated once per second.
This mode can also be helpful to conserve CPU while doing a real-time bounce (see “Real-time
bounce” on page 885).
A