I went back in to BFD3 and checked settings:
16384 for Stream/RAM buffer
Not loaded to RAM
64 Cache buffers
128 Voices/channel
16 bit mode OFF
SD3 Settings:
Cache mode both ON/OFF – has minimal effect on the load when switching Ableton scenes. CPU meter in Ableton still flashes to +700% before settling in.
4 Cores on desktop, 1 core on laptop
If loaded to RAM, the full sets are ~1750mb
Have run both SD3 and BFD3 from internal and then external SSD drives. No change at all in the way Ableton handles the SD3 kits.
I’m hoping to sort this out because nothing else sounds as good as SD3. But I can go back to using BFD3 for live playing where I need to swap kits. I did it for a long time.
Good questions. I’ll work it all again tonight and post tomorrow.
I do know that the SD3 kit I’m using will load at ~1750-1800mb depending upon which articulations are lit.
It does seem like a RAM issue, true. One of the first things I considered as well.
But I always restart the machine and run no other programs in the background. Especially when playing live.
The laptop has 8GB RAM, and the desktop 16GB.
They’re custom kits for SD3 and BFD3.
I was going to try using stripped down kits for both programs and see if it makes a difference.
My gig computer is a laptop, loading BFD off the internal SSD and SD3 from a very fast external SSD. SD3 is so large I need the external drive. Perhaps it’s the internal/external drive making a difference. I’ll load BFD3 on the external for comparison.
I do know that when both VSTs are running on my desktop from a HDD, SD3 still chokes Ableton while BFD3 loads instantly.
I have the Motu 828es. For my use, it’s overkill as it’ll send 60 outs.
I wanted Thunderbolt and use it to send an 8 channel drum kit mix from Ableton through separate DIs (a Radial rack mount) and then to FOH.
The Motu is terrific as a standalone. For routing I find the software interface more intuitive than the one from Focusrite
I use a Mac system as well.
Have successfully ran SD with a Behringer, a Presonus, a Focusrite and now a Motu interface. The first two were USB, the last two, Thunderbolt.
