03-15-2012, 02:39 PM

Using Mac OSX 10.6.6, can I allocate more memory to a specific application? In older OS versions you could, but I don't see how to do that in Snow Leopard.

Thanks.

03-15-2012, 02:49 PM

I'm pretty sure the 'nice' command still works in the terminal, no? I know that's more a CPU priority thing, but priority threads get more real memory than lower priority ones.

03-15-2012, 02:58 PM

OSX does a very good job of memory management, so apps should just get all the spare RAM they need.

In the old oS9 you had to juggle the memory around by hand, but its best to let the OS do it. I know photoshop can have a percentage of available memory so have a look at the prefs for your application

03-15-2012, 03:00 PM

I'm pretty sure the 'nice' command still works in the terminal, no? I know that's more a CPU priority thing, but priority threads get more real memory than lower priority ones.

Thanks but I am not familiar with the "nice" command? Can you give me more info on that please?

03-15-2012, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by louishen

OSX does a very good job of memory management, so apps should just get all the spare RAM they need.

In the old oS9 you had to juggle the memory around by hand, but its best to let the OS do it. I know photoshop can have a percentage of available memory so have a look at the prefs for your application

Interesting. I wondered if that might be the case.

Now makes me wonder my application is causing CPU hickups.

03-15-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by macwriter

Thanks but I am not familiar with the "nice" command? Can you give me more info on that please?

Have you used "Terminal" before? If not...I would recommend "doing your homework" before diving in. Since you can REALLY mess up your computer if you do something wrong in Terminal.

If allocating ram is the biggest issue...maybe you simply need a ram upgrade (assuming your computer's ram can be upgraded from where it is currently).

- Nick

p.s. If we're talking about the MacBook in your profile...it looks like it may already be maxed out in terms of ram. I would still advise being VERY careful using Terminal if you haven't used it before.

03-15-2012, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Have you used "Terminal" before? If not...I would recommend "doing your homework" before diving in. Since you can REALLY mess up your computer if you do something wrong in Terminal.

If allocating ram is the biggest issue...maybe you simply need a ram upgrade (assuming your computer's ram can be upgraded from where it is currently).

- Nick

p.s. If we're talking about the MacBook in your profile...it looks like it may already be maxed out in terms of ram. I would still advise being VERY careful using Terminal if you haven't used it before.

Yeah, I think that's a bit more complicated than I can try at this point. I'll see what else I can do perhaps from within the application itself. It's Studio One Recording digital audio workstation software.

Thanks for your help.

03-15-2012, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by macwriter

Yeah, I think that's a bit more complicated than I can try at this point. I'll see what else I can do perhaps from within the application itself. It's Studio One Recording digital audio workstation software.

Thanks for your help.

Are we talking about the MacBook listed in your profile? If so...maybe you could be a bit more specific what EXACT MacBook you have.

Technically...there was/is no MacBook with a Core Duo 2.1ghz cpu. And there were a few models that could possibly fit a "2.1ghz" description (especially if some number rounded was done).

Depending exactly what model MacBook you have, there's a possibility that the ram could be upgraded further. Also realize that a 2.1ghz MacBook isn't the speediest computer around...and even if the ram can be upgraded...it may not solve any potential performance issues.

- Nick

03-15-2012, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Are we talking about the MacBook listed in your profile? If so...maybe you could be a bit more specific what EXACT MacBook you have.

Technically...there was/is no MacBook with a Core Duo 2.1ghz cpu. And there were a few models that could possibly fit a "2.1ghz" description (especially if some number rounded was done).

Depending exactly what model MacBook you have, there's a possibility that the ram could be upgraded further. Also realize that a 2.1ghz MacBook isn't the speediest computer around...and even if the ram can be upgraded...it may not solve any potential performance issues.

- Nick

I believe my upgrade from 2 to 4 gig was the best available.

The DAW manufacturer (presonus) says that the 2.1 ghz core duo CPU is sufficient. They pride their DAW on its newer programming standards that require less memory, as I understand it. I'll see what issues others are having with similar setups on the Presonus forum.Thanks.

03-15-2012, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by macwriter

I believe my upgrade from 2 to 4 gig was the best available.

You still didn't say exactly what MacBook model you have...since the info in your profile is not really accurate.

Just trying to help...just in case there may be further possibilities of upgrading the ram. Sometimes the ram on certain Mac models can be upgraded further than what Apple "officially" recommends.

- Nick

03-16-2012, 09:19 AM

Here's the model specs on my Mac from the Finder window for that:

Model name: Macbook
Model identifier: Macbook 4,1
Processor name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor speed: 2.1 GHz
Number of processors: 1
Total number of cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3MB
Memory: 4GB (I upgraded to the 4GB back in the fall at an authorized Mac dealer using Mac spec replacement memory sticks)
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot Rom Version MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system) 1.31f1


I did go into my Mac last night and turn off the Airport during recording work and it conserved the CPU usage about 15% (From 75% to 60%).

Would zapping the PRAM and NRAM (?) help get more CPU per gallon as well?

Thanks for your help.

03-16-2012, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by macwriter

I did go into my Mac last night and turn off the Airport during recording work and it conserved the CPU usage about 15% (From 75% to 60%).

Would zapping the PRAM and NRAM (?) help get more CPU per gallon as well?

Thanks for your help.

Not really.

DAW applications are notoriously sensitive to anything else running, although Macs and OS X are far better at handling this than Windows in my humble opinion. I'm not sure exactly what issue you think you're having, but depending on what you're doing in your DAW, 60% CPU usage might not be unusual. I use Logic Pro and regularly hit that with a far more powerful CPU.

If you're doing any serious recording, you should close all other programs, including WiFi connections. If you open your activity monitor (just type that in spotlight and hit enter to launch) you can see if there is anything chomping CPU aside from your DAW.

03-16-2012, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by macwriter

Here's the model specs on my Mac from the Finder window for that:

Model name: Macbook
Model identifier: Macbook 4,1
Processor name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor speed: 2.1 GHz

As I mentioned earlier...there was a chance that your MacBook could be upgraded beyond the "official" 4gig of ram.

You'll be pleased to know that although Apples "official" max ram for this model is 4gig of ram...it can actually be upgraded to 6gig!

Here's a link to the 6 gig upgrade:

OWC 5300DDR2S6GP 6.0GB Kit (2.0GB+4.0GB) PC2-5300... in stock at OWC

- Nick

03-16-2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Zoolook

Not really.

DAW applications are notoriously sensitive to anything else running, although Macs and OS X are far better at handling this than Windows in my humble opinion. I'm not sure exactly what issue you think you're having, but depending on what you're doing in your DAW, 60% CPU usage might not be unusual. I use Logic Pro and regularly hit that with a far more powerful CPU.

If you're doing any serious recording, you should close all other programs, including WiFi connections. If you open your activity monitor (just type that in spotlight and hit enter to launch) you can see if there is anything chomping CPU aside from your DAW.

Yeah, what I've found interesting though is at 75% CPU, the DAW will start to hiccup / lose audio signal.

I will try the activity monitor. Thanks.

03-16-2012, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

As I mentioned earlier...there was a chance that your MacBook could be upgraded beyond the "official" 4gig of ram.

You'll be pleased to know that although Apples "official" max ram for this model is 4gig of ram...it can actually be upgraded to 6gig!

Here's a link to the 6 gig upgrade:

OWC 5300DDR2S6GP 6.0GB Kit (2.0GB+4.0GB) PC2-5300... in stock at OWC

- Nick

Wow, wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the tip.