Acceptable CPU usage

[guitarplayer1969]

Coming from an FM-9 where anything over 80% CPU usage starts causing issues, what is acceptable CPU usage for the AM4. I created a standard preset I will use with Drive, Amp with dual dynacabs, Stereo Tape Delay and Plate Reverb, an it sits at around 80% but when I strum, it turns light purple and goes to 85% briefly. I looked in the nmanual but could not find what the color code means and where I could see problems.

 

[Randalljax]

Coming from an FM-9 where anything over 80% CPU usage starts causing issues, what is acceptable CPU usage for the AM4. I created a standard preset I will use with Drive, Amp with dual dynacabs, Stereo Tape Delay and Plate Reverb, an it sits at around 80% but when I strum, it turns light purple and goes to 85% briefly. I looked in the nmanual but could not find what the color code means and where I could see problems.

85% is the recommend CPU limit on AM4

 

[yek]

It's in the manual.

The processor is extremely powerful and can run complex presets. A dynamic limit of about 85% ensures smooth performance. Because this limit adjusts in real time with audio activity, the CPU meter may rise slightly as you play. If you exceed the limit, you may hear audio crackles. When CPU usage surpasses the safe threshold, the unit displays “CPU LIMIT: Bypassed” in the upper-left corner of the main display and the AM4 bypasses all processing.

CPU usage varies based on the number and type of effects in a preset, their settings, modifiers, and other factors. Even an empty preset uses a small amount of CPU. As you add effects or increase complexity, the CPU level rises. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 80% or lower, then test your preset during actual play.

 

[guitarplayer1969]

Yeah I read about it in the Wiki. I'm at 80‰ and it spikes to 85% when playing so at max. This is concerning as I don't feel the preset is anything over the top, and worry as new firmwares from Fractal tend to take more CPU. Dual Dynacabs seem to be the issue. My FM9 is already hitting a wall on presets Thst we're fine a year ago and having me make tradeoffs and not wanting to have to start doing that on the AM4 already.

 

[2024]

Yeah I read about it in the Wiki. I'm at 80‰ and it spikes to 85% when playing so at max. This is concerning as I don't feel the preset is anything over the top, and worry as new firmwares from Fractal tend to take more CPU. Dual Dynacabs seem to be the issue. My FM9 is already hitting a wall on presets Thst we're fine a year ago and having me make tradeoffs and not wanting to have to start doing that on the AM4 already.

The other alternative for the two cabs is not to use the Dynamic Cabs and use some IRs from your FM9. I have to do that on my non turbo FX3 when I run two amps and 2 pitch blocks.

 

[Fablessed]

Hi, I feel the same way! I got a preset from guitarplayer1969, and when I used the Drive+, my fractal gave me a warning. I had to switch to a user cab to get rid of that, but I’m still getting 83%. I’ve seen talks about new features, but I think we’re already at the top of what the device can do. Also, I’ve heard that after some firmware updates, your Fractal cannot handle the new features because of CPU usage. I hope they come up with something that keeps a good amount of headroom so we can use good presets without worrying about whether they’ll work.

 

[guitarplayer1969]

Hi, I feel the same way! I got a preset from guitarplayer1969, and when I used the Drive+, my fractal gave me a warning. I had to switch to a user cab to get rid of that, but I’m still getting 83%. I’ve seen talks about new features, but I think we’re already at the top of what the device can do. Also, I’ve heard that after some firmware updates, your Fractal cannot handle the new features because of CPU usage. I hope they come up with something that keeps a good amount of headroom so we can use good presets without worrying about whether they’ll work.

Yeah in that preset I gave him I normally use paid IRs, and they are much lower DSP than the Dynacabs. The way I fixed it was lowering the length of Dynacabs and switching to lower quality reverbs. As mentioned above, now we are starting to have to make tradeoffs and historically Fractal does not release firmware updates that are more efficient DSP wise, just a bigger.

 

[Rex]

...historically Fractal does not release firmware updates that are more efficient DSP wise, just a bigger.

Also, historically Fractal has periodically released firmware that's nothing but CPU reduction.

 

[Brewce]

and historically Fractal does not release firmware updates that are more efficient DSP wise, just a bigger.

I'd say they did that 3 to 5 times this year alone (as part of the update) -- unless I remember it so from reading RN for multiple devices...
You could check the actual release notes and check for "CPU," etc.
https://wiki.fractalaudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Firmware_release_notes_-_Axe-Fx_III

Upd.: Yeah, seems it only happened once or twice this year, but many more through the years.

 

[Vhalen50]

I'd say they did that 3 to 5 times this year alone (as part of the update) -- unless I remember it so from reading RN for multiple devices...
You could check the actual release notes and check for "CPU," etc.
https://wiki.fractalaudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Firmware_release_notes_-_Axe-Fx_III

Upd.: Yeah, seems it only happened once or twice this year, but many more through the years.

Ive noticed this too. Unfortunately somehow my FM9T preset now gives me CPU limit on my AxeFx3Mk2 unit. Its kinda wild...Both are updated to the most current firmware.

 

[yek]

Ive noticed this too. Unfortunately somehow my FM9T preset now gives me CPU limit on my AxeFx3Mk2 unit. Its kinda wild...Both are updated to the most current firmware.

Possibly because the FM9 runs reverb in a dedicated processor core.