Acustica Audio Nebula 3 | Hard Disk vs SSD Loading times

Discussion in 'Software' started by Smoove Stack, Aug 18, 2019.

  1. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Hi All,

    A just finished a comparison of loading times between Nebula's repository files stored in:
    a) Seagate HD (2TB, 7200 Sata 3)
    b) Kingstom SA400S37240 SSD

    Nebula's Instances: 45 (mostly with haevy kernels of of dynamic FX: EQs, Compressors, Tube and Tape gear)
    ps: for each instance of Nebula, always a VUMT Deluxe, for level monitoring.

    Host Software: Vienna Ensemble PRO5 (server)

    My System:
    Untitled.jpg

    Results:
    1) Seagate HD: 11 minutes, 44 seconds (VEP5 ready to stream)
    2) Kingstom SSD: 6 minutes, 30 seconds (VEP5 ready to stream)

    Untitled_2.jpg

    Conclusion: a bit disapopinted, but for large projects, it's worth of invest in SSD (6 minutes is 6 minutes)
    Hey guys! Do you think it's possible to get better load times?
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2019
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  3. Haliax

    Haliax Guest

    16 Gig of RAM is probably not enough to load everything into memory, you will be paging like crazy if you aren’t careful. That would add a lot to the load time
     
  4. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Hi Haliax.. thank you for replly! please have a look at the pic. Even with these numbers, do you believe my system is running on high file paging?

    Nebula_FREE2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2019
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  5. KungPaoFist

    KungPaoFist Audiosexual

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    Nice system! 45 instances? I understand you'd like faster load times but want to point out you've already won with that comp it seems. VEP 5 was pretty slow, 6 seems slow too, 7 is supposed to be quicker. With a heavy load that would be a big factor. Have you demoed Acustica N4? They streamlined some things and implemented core13 which helps it run a bit smoother. Get some more RAM man!
     
  6. realitybytez

    realitybytez Audiosexual

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    but he's already shown that he isn't even using half of the 16 gb that he has. and the page file isn't even half a gig so he's not touching that either. what makes you think he needs more?
     
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  7. KungPaoFist

    KungPaoFist Audiosexual

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    oops, I misread the graphic.. OP is ok on RAM now but the rest of what I said was pretty awesome
     
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  8. KungPaoFist

    KungPaoFist Audiosexual

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    oops, I misread the graphic.. OP is ok on RAM now but the rest of what I said was pretty awesome
     
  9. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Yes! Indeed. I'll try to load the same instances on Reaper as well and soon post the results!
     
  10. digitaldragon

    digitaldragon Audiosexual

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    I used to use VUMT for that. I recently switched to Hornet Normalizer which will set levels automatically to -18dbfs (or any level you set). It makes it super simple to gain stage properly for nebula/Aqua plugs!

    I noticed projects load in roughly half the time when I switched to an SSD drive.

    My projects have a lot of instances of Nebula, and some Aqua's. Gold2 really seems to be RAM hungry as my projects hit 15G or so relatively quickly (20 or so instances of Gold2, full strip). I'm currently upgrading from 16G to 32G as Gold2 is crashing the DAW when I try to load it after getting to 15 or so GB.
     
  11. saltwater

    saltwater Guest

    this kind of ssd is good for upgrading old machines, its a very slow ssd, try a Samsung 860 Evo 500GB instead ;)
    should be 2 min or less!
     
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  12. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Great! Nice to know about Hornet stuff..definetely I'll try it. ps: some few TAPE SAT programs ask for -3dB ~ -1dB input (eg: Tape Booster Plus+):)
     
  13. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Hi All,

    I have good news about the load timings. After some experiments, i found that the big problem wasn't the storage device itself, but some settings over Nebula's "MASTER" parameters. As soon I changed SCAN BOOT form 'recovery' to 'fast', I got a substantial improvement in the load speed:
    scab-boot.jpg

    Same, host (VEP5), same project (aka Metaframe in VEP5) with 45 Nebula's instances:

    before> Kingstom SSD: 6 minutes, 30 seconds (VEP5 ready to stream)
    after tweak> Kingstom SSD: 2 minutes, 33 seconds (VEP5 ready to stream)

    Regarding the possible fine adjustments on Win 7 64, enabling TRIM and AHCI (instead of IDE) didn't result in much improvemt over the load perfomace in this case.

    Thank you guys !! All the best.
     
  14. digitaldragon

    digitaldragon Audiosexual

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    Hornet's TheNormalizer can be set to several different loudness/volume methods. I believe dB levels would vary from dBfs levels.
    Thanks for the tip about Nebula load times. I really need to do some of the Nebula xml tweaks.
     
  15. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    You're welcome! Yes, Nebula sounds great and really add deepness to any mix. unfortunately it requires several fine adjustments to run like wine!I'll try hornet's normalizer :)
     
  16. tvandlover

    tvandlover Producer

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    I think you mean comparison.
     
  17. Grandy

    Grandy Member

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    instead of opening a new thread i'm gonna ask here, is it possible to install and extend trial of nebula for osx and use libraries that are available at sister site?
     
  18. digitaldragon

    digitaldragon Audiosexual

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    AFAIK no, it's not possible. At least never heard reports of anyone getting it to work.
     
  19. Smoove Stack

    Smoove Stack Kapellmeister

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    Hi people! If you iintend to disable Recovery mode boot (and go fast), it's crucial to follow these steps, othewise Nebula won't load any vector. (if you use N3, only works in v 1.3.903 core4 and above) not for 1.3.505

    http://forum.acustica-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=27850

    How to rebuild and freeze Nebula database
    1. Check that you don't have two plug-in support installation folders or VST plug-in folder.
    2. Move all your .N2P and .N2V files from Programs and Vectors folders to a backup folder, less INIT files. INIT files are you personal key.
    3. Go plug-in support installation folder* > Temp folder and delete all .XML files that are inside.
    4. Go plug-in support installation folder* > Setups folder and delete ~scanboot.xml file.
    5. Run Nebula and go MAST and setup SCAN BOOT parameter in 1 (1 means YES). Click on SAVE.
    6. Close Nebula and your audio host.
    7. Move back all your .N2P and .N2V files from backup folder to Programs and Vectors folders.
    8. Run again Nebula. Nebula browser will rebuild temp and scanboot files.
    9. Go MAST and setup LOADER PR in 3. Click on SAVE.
    10. Close Nebula and your audio host.
    11. Browse your VST plug-in folder**. Go to Acustica folder.
    12. Open your MAST page files .XML(s)*** files in a text edit app and add a new tag called Frozen Boot Scan
    <FROZENBOOT> 1 </FROZENBOOT>
    Save your .XML(s) files.
    13. Run your audio host and Nebula. Now Nebula will boot without scan libraries.

    * PC path
    Extra plug-in support installation folder: C:\NebulaTempRepository (not fixed)
    ** Mac path
    Extra plug-in support installation folder: OSX HD/Library/Audio/Presets/AcusticaAudio/Nebula3/ (fixed)

    ** PC path
    VST plug-in folder: C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugins or Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins (not fixed)
    * Mac path
    VST plug-in folder: OSX HD/Library/Audio/Plugins/VST/Acustica (fixed)

    *** MAST page files .XML(s) are the Master file(s) that are in the same folder with your .VST/.DLL plugin file.

    NOTE: after install a new library or single emulation preset your should change value of Frozen Boot Scan tag to 0 in order to make Nebula able to add your new library or emulation preset(s) into Nebula database.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019
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  20. digitaldragon

    digitaldragon Audiosexual

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    @Smoove Stack, that's the instructions I used. It did cut down on the load time, so it's a good thing! Thanks for this!

    Now to look into Timed Kernals and DSP Buffer settings!
     
  21. saltwater

    saltwater Guest

    another crucial part in all this is the chipset driver, it can have a dramatic impact on loading times.
    Intel shines in that area, i guess you already have the latest version.

    most systems don't have the dedicated chipset drivers installed, so i mention it, maybe it helps.

    from 12 to 2 minutes, thats literally a Amazing! :wink:
     
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