SDX Installation on limited RAM

[Nozza55]

Hi all,

Bit of a newbie here

I have a few questions about installing SDX on an M1 MacBook with only 8gb RAM

I will be using the software solely for playing my Roland TD17KVX

1. If I do a partial instead of full install of an SDX will it use up less RAM when a preset is loaded in SD3?
2. If it does, how big is the trade off with sound quality considering it is only for listening on Edrums?
3. Is there an option to default to 16bit audio on startup of SD3 that will effect all presets to reduce RAM?

   Many thanks in advance for any support

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

Topic

[BlueMistral]

8 GB will be more than enough for the core library presets if you only play along with your edrum set, it’s only when you want to record multitrack to a DAW that you need at least 16GB.

[Brad]

You can change the current kit/preset to 16bit from the “show memory details” on the top left hand of the screen, but at present there isn’t a way to set that as a default loading option. If you are not loading a lot of additional software and as @BlueMistral mentioned, using SD3 for playing/practicing live, then you should be OK without reducing the bit depth.

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

Mac Studio M1 Max, RAM 64 GB, 1TB Drive, OSX 12.x/13.x and Windows 10 (VM)
DAW: Studio One Pro (always up to date)
DTX Express III (Extreme triggers), Nektar LX88
OWC Thunderbay Mini (4 X 1TB Sata SSD), Express 4M2 (4 X 2TB M.2 SSD), Envoy Express (1TB M.2 SSD)
Presonus Quantum, Faderport & Faderport 8
Black Lion Sparrow Mk2 A/D, FMR-RNP-RNC, MIDI Xpress 128, BM5A, KRK VXT4, Equator D5
2020 Macbook Pro 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Audio(mobile rig)

[Bear-Faced Cow]

While the above answers are all well and good, there is one key element missing from this thread: which SDX in particular are you referring to? Some SDXs, newer ones in particular, may require more resources than your computer currently offers in order to get the full benefit out of them, even at 16-bit mode.

jord

---

Jordan L. Chilcott

Web Site: https://jordanchilcottmusic.com/

[Nozza55]

Thanks Bear-Faced,

That is precisely my issue. I have recently acquired Legacy of Rock and Decades which give me a breakup when certain presets require a lot of RAM.  I have done the full install on these SDX’s but am wondering if I were to re-install them as a basic install would this mean I would use less RAM and given I am only using them for EDrums would there be a trade- off in sound quality?

Thanks for your help

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

[Brad]

Nozza55 wrote:

Thanks Bear-Faced,

That is precisely my issue. I have recently acquired Legacy of Rock and Decades which give me a breakup when certain presets require a lot of RAM.  I have done the full install on these SDX’s but am wondering if I were to re-install them as a basic install would this mean I would use less RAM and given I am only using them for EDrums would there be a trade- off in sound quality?

Thanks for your help

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

I am coming from the perspective that this is a memory (RAM) issue, with everything I have read so far about the M1 processors, CPU shouldn’t be a problem. I am holding off investing in one, until machines with more RAM are available.
One place to start (for those RAM hungry presets) would be, in the drum builder window, shift-click, multiple instruments and in the properties box for Voice and Layer, reduce the layer limits. The trade off being you will reduce the size of the sample pool, but you will also reduce the RAM used.

You can also turn off articulations for specific instruments that you feel you may not use as well as remove the bleed between instruments.

Save it as a User Preset, or Project file.
I have never done a partial install, so I can’t comment on the sound quality, the close microphones, I think would all be available, but the bleeds and other microphone tracks may not be.

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

Mac Studio M1 Max, RAM 64 GB, 1TB Drive, OSX 12.x/13.x and Windows 10 (VM)
DAW: Studio One Pro (always up to date)
DTX Express III (Extreme triggers), Nektar LX88
OWC Thunderbay Mini (4 X 1TB Sata SSD), Express 4M2 (4 X 2TB M.2 SSD), Envoy Express (1TB M.2 SSD)
Presonus Quantum, Faderport & Faderport 8
Black Lion Sparrow Mk2 A/D, FMR-RNP-RNC, MIDI Xpress 128, BM5A, KRK VXT4, Equator D5
2020 Macbook Pro 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Audio(mobile rig)

• The post has been modified 4 times, last modified 3 years, 4 months ago by Brad.

[Nozza55]

Those are very helpful comments

Thank You

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.2.7
Operating system: macOS Big Sur (11)

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