About this annoying high CPU problem on Windows

[Philippe]

Hello SPARK users,

I've begin to work on the cpu issue that affects some of you Windows users.

This is a behaviour that I unfortunately am not able to reproduce on my development machines so I'll need some help from you:
1- we'll need a "cpu log file" that can be generated "on demand" by a special debug version of SPARK
2- we'll need a report on your system generated when SPARK is running,
3- and finally we'll need some infos which are displayed by the standard Windows tool "Task Manager" while SPARK is running.

If you accept to give me your help just send me a private forum mail and I'll send you a package containing detailed instructions and the debug version of SPARK.

Here follows a brief description of the actions you'll have to execute.

1- you'll have to use a debug version of SPARK which has exactly the capabilities of the 1.6.1 version plus an additional toggle button on the GUI you can use to generate a log file of various CPU measurements. We'll need a log generated when the consumed CPU is normal, and a few more logs when SPARK shows this huge cpu behaviour.
2- the system report is built using a free tool named GetSystemInfo. You'll have to download this tool, run it, grab the report file and send it to me
3- when executing the step 1, you should have launched the Windows Task Manager and grab some infos displayed by this tool (Alt GR + print screen), and send me your screenshots.

Voila....

Any volunteer?

Have fun

[jimbobaggins]

Hi Philippe

Can you tell us what the specifications for your development machine/s is/are.

Do you put them on the web, run antivirus, have other software installed and so forth.

Just like to get an idea of what you think is required to run Spark without a hitch.

Kind Regards

Baggins

[Philippe]

The machine I'm currently using are a Macbook Pro and an iMac 27" with a Boot Camp partition with Windows 7 pro installed. Both computer have 4GB memory. The MacbookPro has a 2.4GHz Core i7 and 1333MHz DDR3 memory. The iMac has a 2.66 GHz Core i5 and 1067 MHz memory.

[bazolo]

Hi,

I have the following observations and temporary solution:

1. Inserting the Spark plug-in to Cubase causes the change of cubase5.exe process priority from High to Normal.
2. CPU spikes and audio-crackles disappeared when in the Cubase's "Device Setup->VST Audio System->Audio Priority" option has been arbitrarily changed.

Tested on i7/950, 12 GB RAM, Win7 x64 SP1, Cubase 5 32bit.

The same situation was in the past with NI Reaktor.

Regards,
bazolo

[silikonanswer]

bazolo I am going to check what happens with the priority of my DAW. Nice discovery :-)

[johnbrock]

 Permanent (for  Intel   speedstep    laptops)   solution ?

I  been trying to work out what was  causing  Spark's  High CPU usage and  distortion   on my 1.9GHz dual core Intel 2GB ram  laptop running windows 7 (works fine on my desktop ).   I downloaded CPU Z and opened up it's window , started up Spark loaded  up   80's studio kit  and pressed play  .  it started playing OK  40% cpu usage and then  after 15 seconds  the cpu  went into red  started to spike and distort  I noticed in   CPUZ's  main  window  that the processors speed had dropped  from 1862MHz with a 14 x multiplier   to 798 MHz with 6x multiplier  when the cpu was spiking and  sound  was distorting.       Because my laptops  bios does not have the option to disable speedstep I just  assumed  the machine didn't use it ..I navigated   to     control panel/system security /power options     and changed from balanced to  high performance  plans ....  Spark is now running fine (speedstep disabled)  and   running at 30-40% CPU.. I'm  now guessing  most users  experiencing problems are running  Spark on Intel  laptops   but some desktops also use speedstep.......

Fingers  crossed   it works some     of you


http://www.arturia.com/evolution/smf/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif


Regards                         



John

[Sparkem]

bazolo I am going to check what happens with the priority of my DAW. Nice discovery :-)

Did it help - I've noted the 2 x workarounds(Cubase 7 user), I'll see if it helps at weekend?

[silikonanswer]

I've tried both solutions (the priority of FL Studio is not altered by Spark) but they don't work on my desktop PC 2,66 i7920. When I add Spark to the project I get a 10-16% CPU just opening it.   

[Sparkem]

Cpu stats attached! Have I done this right?

[Philippe]

Thanks Sparkem. Now I have to analyse these logs 

[silikonanswer]

Anything interesting found?

[Kevin]

Philippe is off this week so he wont be able to check them before he come back.

Kevin

[Philippe]

Cpu stats attached! Have I done this right?

Hello Sparkem,

I'm looking at your cpu log files.

When you have those CPU problems, could you check :
- if the MIDI clock OUT is enabled
- and/or if the internal MIDI record is active
- and/or if the external MIDI record is active

If these settings are ON could you switch them OFF and tell me if it reduces the CPU?

Thanks

[Sparkem]

Cpu stats attached! Have I done this right?

Hello Sparkem,

I'm looking at your cpu log files.

When you have those CPU problems, could you check :
- if the MIDI clock OUT is enabled
- and/or if the internal MIDI record is active
- and/or if the external MIDI record is active

If these settings are ON could you switch them OFF and tell me if it reduces the CPU?

Thanks

Midi clock out? not understanding that...

No record either daw/vst or spark hardware was enabled, just play mode only.

[silikonanswer]

Hi,

I send a quick test I made sometime ago. Details are in the zip file. I hope it helps.


Thanks :-)