Reference Guide

1307
Improving performance with digital audio
Improving audio performance
CPU meter/Disk meter/Dropout indicator
SONAR has several tools to help you identify and correct audio problems, including the CPU meter
and Disk meter in the Control Bar’s Performance module, and the Dropout indicator in the Transport
module.
Figure 381. The Transport module.
The Dropout Indicator appears whenever your project requires more resources than your CPU,
main memory, and disk can supply. For details, see “Dropouts and other audio problems” on page
1311.
Figure 382. The Performance module.
A. CPU meters (one per ) B. Disk Activity indicator C. Disk Space meter D. Memory Usage meter
The Performance module contains the following controls:
• CPU meters. Displays 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 in your computer, up to 32 cores. There is some tolerance built into the
meter, so it is possible that it will exceed 100% at times (more so during recording than playback).
• Disk Activity indicator . Measures how much of the available time SONAR is using to
perform input/output functions on your hard disk. The size of your setup’s I/O buffer size (listed
under File System in Edit > Preferences > Audio - Sync and Caching) determines how much
time is allowed to perform disk operations and maintain uninterrupted playback. When SONAR
performs disk operations, the Disk Activity indicator changes color from yellow to red to indicate
Note: The width of the Performance module depends on the number of CPU cores available.
C
D
B
A
32 cores 4 cores