Hi guys n girls,
I got asked many times how a "perfect audio workstation" should be configured.
Well, the simplest answer is, as much as possible of everything - more cores, more threads, more cpu frequency, more ram, more ssd or better pcie-sdd (nvme) disk space,... simply MORE.
This will always lead to very expensive workstations, which are, maybe, too much for what you really need. So, the next question is often:
I got two configurations, one costs about 2000 bucks, the other one 3000 (it's just an example here). The CPU is better (according to specs) and more RAM. But: Is it necessary?
Well, of course the answer obviously is "Depends on what you do" - but that answer isn't helpful. However, let's say the answer is "I do classic music with shitloads of instruments and effects, as much as possible".
I want to ask YOU, if there is any chance to benchmark a workstation with Reaper, to get comparable results like:
With config 1 you can have up to 100 instruments and effects, with config 2 150 of each.
Yeah, my example is superficial, but I hope you get the point. The underlying question is: Does Reaper scale with cpu frequency and thread count?
I tried around Reaper and FL Studio (because their built-in debug console is quite nice there) and I figured out, that there is an issue with (sub-)groups, or "busses" if you like to name it that way. I mean tracks, which are grouped and have a parent track(-group). It seems, that the instruments of these grouped tracks sometimes are assigned to just 1 cpu thread, even when there are 7 other idiling ones!? It just seems, that the structure (= grouping) of your tracks affects multithreading in a negative way.
I had examples (projects) where 2 cpu core/thread were on 100% (which results in audio gaps and crackles, I was forced to higher the ASIO buffer), the rest was idling, by around 10-20 vst/i instances, although there was ENOUGH cpu power left.
So in short it means, it's not always about your rig, it's also about your track layout! So, what do I have to do, to get the most out of my cpu?
And then, how can I measure or benchmark with Reaper?
I want to answer the question "I want to upgrade my system from config X to Y, it costs Z - how much more power (eg. in %) will I get then?"
Any help is appreciated!