KVR Audio

Protocol_b · Post by **Protocol_b** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 4:55 pm

I'm using N4 as a MIDI FX plug in Logic X, but finding that the CPU use is unacceptable. I have a single instance of N4 on a single instance of Kontakt 5, nothing else in the project. My stack is fairly rudimentary and provides a basic rhythm section (bass, drums & chords, about half a dozen modules, short sequences). It has two stack presets. Kontakt shows it is using only about 5% CPU but Logic is indicating high 90's%. Switching stack presets pushes it to max and I get a dropout or a glitch noise. At this rate there is no overhead left for accompaniment
or for that matter recording.

Can anyone relate to this? What's anyone else's experience, can you give me an idea of how many instances or how complex of a stack you can comfortably get away with? Are you using VST, AU, AUMFX or standalone? Any info appreciated - thanks!

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:18 pm

For those who don't know Numerology, the site is here: http://www.five12.com/

nilhartman · Post by **nilhartman** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:58 am

five12.net might be a better place to discuss it all. Tons of useful informations on all those subjects there.

I use Num standalone as a MIDI controller to Live, and sync both via MTC (Num being the master). Best compromise when it comes to timing and CPU usage. You'll have to set an IAC bus to transmit the MIDI datas, and all in all it can be very, very similar to using the AU... with less downsides IMHO.

Protocol_b · Post by **Protocol_b** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:21 pm

Yes, I'm in contact with Jim at Five12. In a sense I'm trying to get a feel for the actual viability of Logic's Midi FX of any kind (I've encountered many shortfalls from various MFX products) and also for the effectiveness of Numerology as a plugin in general (I believe it is excellent standalone but so far there is little info on it as a plugin).

Downsides there are indeed with AU plus IAC! The IAC bus 'workaround' is the perennial shame of Logic. If I didn't require the Environment to switch/route my 12 simultaneous midi guitar channels (I'm only interested in live playing) I'd have gone with a different DAW long ago. I guess I could rewire to the 'outside' but each layer of tech takes me further away from actually producing something and brings new idiosyncrasies to the table...plus more expense and CPU overhead. However, I am seriously considering Logic as master, midi out to N4 where I host my VSTi's, then audio back into Logic. Though I lose Alchemy in that scenario...

nilhartman · Post by **nilhartman** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:28 pm

A recent-ish topic I started on five12's MB, which might be worth reading: http://five12.net/showthread.php?t=3028

Protocol_b · Post by **Protocol_b** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:56 pm

Interesting thread there at Five12, thank you.

nilhartman · Post by **nilhartman** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:35 am

You're welcome. I've shared a lot over there about all my experiments with the different possible set-ups, with tons of insightful inputs from Jim and other expert Numerologist (most topics being in the General Questions section).
If you have any specific questions, just ask, I'll happily help if I can.

dayjob · Post by **dayjob** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:02 pm

i don't remember what my CPU meter was at but a couple years ago i ran it inside Audiomulch as a plug in and had some reaktor stuff and a bunch of VST drum machines and synths as well and it worked fine on my apple laptop.. which i think at the time was a 2008 dual core and quite slow compared to the 2012 quad laptop i have now.

so, i wouldn't worry too much about CPU hit from numerology. Jim at 512 is pretty good about optimizations. numerology is quite fun and powerful.

Protocol_b · Post by **Protocol_b** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:23 pm

Sadly, I have to worry at this time since the plug is blowing up my CPU. I'm hoping Jim can optimize it but I do worry that the MIDI FX capabilities of Logic won't permit it (I have little faith in Logic anymore, combined with Yosemite I've encountered countless crashes, some even taking my entire machine down. Caveat: Numerology has rarely been involved in the crashes.)...

Phase47 · Post by **Phase47** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 2:34 pm

I run Logic X with N4 as an AU MFX and I don't see any noticeable CPU load when I do. I'm sure Jim can sort you out though - topflight customer support.

Protocol_b · Post by **Protocol_b** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 6:54 pm

Ah! So you're having success with AU MFX version then? That is excellent news! So hopefully my problem is self-created (I seem to collect that kind...). Most appreciated, thank you for the input.

imprint · Post by **imprint** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:57 am

New build of Numerology 4 available (159) should fix issues with the Captain...though Jim says if you can wait, next build will be more all encompassing in terms of upgrades/stability.

I'm sticking with Yosemite so far...

Numerology Users - Anyone Using It As A Plugin? How's Your CPU Use?