[Tip] Tips For Laptop Performers
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:02 pm
Hi all,
Now I don't claim to be any kind of expert on these matters - in this case, more of a compiler - but I thought it would be useful to put together a list of tips to help avoid performance issues on a laptop as there seem to be some common ones that vary a little from regular desktop/studio use. This thread is written specifically for those who haven't ventured into the live realm before, but by all means chime in if you have any "power user" tips to offer too; I'm sure we'd all love to hear them!
CROSS-TALK NOISE
-------------------------------------------------------------
Some combinations of sound-card and laptop AC power-pack can generate unwanted noise. Two common causes of this noise might include: crosstalk between the two devices or a groundloop.
Possible Solutions
- Buy a portable power conditioner (comparatively expensive).
- Run off laptop battery for your set (may not be possible).
- Use the "Earth Lift" on a DI box (may not help in all situations).
- Remove the ground pin out of a power adapter (quick fix only, potentially dangerous!).
* WARNING: REMOVING THE GROUND FROM A PLUG TO STOP A GROUND LOOP CAN BE EFFECTIVE, BUT IT COULD ALSO KILL YOU! IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ELECTRICAL KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO REMOVE THE GROUND ON A PARTICULAR DEVICE, DON'T!
SUB-BASS VIBRATION
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bass-heavy venues can provide an environment that will bounce the heads on your hard-drive causing performance issues during your set. Excess vibration can result in audio glitching, audio drop-outs and possibly hard-drive damage.
Possible Solutions
- Make/buy a rubber/foam mat/mount to reduce vibration/shock.
- Play your set from a USB Flash Drive
DATA TRANSFER ISSUES
-------------------------------------------------------------
Until recently (and even still in the case of some manufacturers), standard laptop hard-drives will often perform a lot slower than their desktop counterparts in terms of data transfer. A lot of hard-drives are around the 5400RPM mark, whilst standard on a desktop is more like 7200RPM. If you are experienced audio drop-outs or glitching, it may be due to the slow data transfer rate of your drive.
Possible Solutions
- Purchase a faster hard-drive for your laptop (external).
- Play your set from a USB Flash Drive
OPTIMISE YOUR LIVE SET
-------------------------------------------------------------
There are a number of choices you can make in preparing your live set to improve the performance of an older machine (or make a newer one even more capable).
Possible Solutions
- Use fewer channels in constructing your set.
- Reduce the bitrate of your source samples (16bit is not a dirty word!).
- Use mono samples instead of stereo (halves the required transfer rate).
- Use hotkeys to turn off FX that are not in use.
- Use send/return channels for global FX rather than placing a new instance.
- Bounce MIDI tracks down to audio if you don't need to tweak them.
SYSTEM-RELATED PERFORMANCE ISSUES
-------------------------------------------------------------
Using a computer for audio can be a very different application than usual desktop use. For this reason, there are a number of simple things you can do to ensure you are getting the best possible response from your system at all times.
Possible Solutions (General)
- Keep your system clean, organised and with a bare minimum install.
- Defragment your Hard Drive regularly.
- Make sure relevant power settings are NOT running in "efficiency mode".
- Disable unused background applications (eg. antivirus, bluetooth, wifi).
- Consider using a disk-imaging program for emergency system roll-back.
- Consider rebooting your system before starting a performance.
Possible Solutions (PC Only)
- Visit musicxp.net and use their Tuning Tips (registration required)
Possible Solutions (Mac Only)
- Suggestions welcome!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps some people into their first live sojourn, and looking forward to hearing from others as to some general "Best Practice" type tips.
Kudos to all.
Now I don't claim to be any kind of expert on these matters - in this case, more of a compiler - but I thought it would be useful to put together a list of tips to help avoid performance issues on a laptop as there seem to be some common ones that vary a little from regular desktop/studio use. This thread is written specifically for those who haven't ventured into the live realm before, but by all means chime in if you have any "power user" tips to offer too; I'm sure we'd all love to hear them!
CROSS-TALK NOISE
-------------------------------------------------------------
Some combinations of sound-card and laptop AC power-pack can generate unwanted noise. Two common causes of this noise might include: crosstalk between the two devices or a groundloop.
Possible Solutions
- Buy a portable power conditioner (comparatively expensive).
- Run off laptop battery for your set (may not be possible).
- Use the "Earth Lift" on a DI box (may not help in all situations).
- Remove the ground pin out of a power adapter (quick fix only, potentially dangerous!).
* WARNING: REMOVING THE GROUND FROM A PLUG TO STOP A GROUND LOOP CAN BE EFFECTIVE, BUT IT COULD ALSO KILL YOU! IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ELECTRICAL KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO REMOVE THE GROUND ON A PARTICULAR DEVICE, DON'T!
SUB-BASS VIBRATION
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bass-heavy venues can provide an environment that will bounce the heads on your hard-drive causing performance issues during your set. Excess vibration can result in audio glitching, audio drop-outs and possibly hard-drive damage.
Possible Solutions
- Make/buy a rubber/foam mat/mount to reduce vibration/shock.
- Play your set from a USB Flash Drive
DATA TRANSFER ISSUES
-------------------------------------------------------------
Until recently (and even still in the case of some manufacturers), standard laptop hard-drives will often perform a lot slower than their desktop counterparts in terms of data transfer. A lot of hard-drives are around the 5400RPM mark, whilst standard on a desktop is more like 7200RPM. If you are experienced audio drop-outs or glitching, it may be due to the slow data transfer rate of your drive.
Possible Solutions
- Purchase a faster hard-drive for your laptop (external).
- Play your set from a USB Flash Drive
OPTIMISE YOUR LIVE SET
-------------------------------------------------------------
There are a number of choices you can make in preparing your live set to improve the performance of an older machine (or make a newer one even more capable).
Possible Solutions
- Use fewer channels in constructing your set.
- Reduce the bitrate of your source samples (16bit is not a dirty word!).
- Use mono samples instead of stereo (halves the required transfer rate).
- Use hotkeys to turn off FX that are not in use.
- Use send/return channels for global FX rather than placing a new instance.
- Bounce MIDI tracks down to audio if you don't need to tweak them.
SYSTEM-RELATED PERFORMANCE ISSUES
-------------------------------------------------------------
Using a computer for audio can be a very different application than usual desktop use. For this reason, there are a number of simple things you can do to ensure you are getting the best possible response from your system at all times.
Possible Solutions (General)
- Keep your system clean, organised and with a bare minimum install.
- Defragment your Hard Drive regularly.
- Make sure relevant power settings are NOT running in "efficiency mode".
- Disable unused background applications (eg. antivirus, bluetooth, wifi).
- Consider using a disk-imaging program for emergency system roll-back.
- Consider rebooting your system before starting a performance.
Possible Solutions (PC Only)
- Visit musicxp.net and use their Tuning Tips (registration required)
Possible Solutions (Mac Only)
- Suggestions welcome!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps some people into their first live sojourn, and looking forward to hearing from others as to some general "Best Practice" type tips.
Kudos to all.