Logic Pro 8, Kontakt Player 2.23 and Memory Usage

Hello -

What type of known memory problems might exist between Logic (Logic 8 in particular) and either Kontakt 2.23 or Kontakt Player 2.23?

If there are known memory usage issues, what can be done to help/fix the situation?

My MacPro set-up: 2.66 GHz Dual-Core X's 2; with 5 GB RAM; 3 HDD's (one for programs, one for sound libraries and one for audi); and OS X 10.4.10. I have not upgraded to Leopard (but did upgrade to Logic Pro 8). By-in-large, Logic Pro 8 works fine. However, I usually "network" the Logic sequencing projects with Muse Research's Receptor (version B) and/or an aging Dell Precision Workstation 650 using Musiclab's MIDIoverLan CP3. This has proven stable for me. For my most recent project, I decided to see how many instrument plug-ins I can utilize within the Logic Pro 8 program (without benefit of this "network" set-up). For this project, I'm using one instance of MusicLab's RealGuitar and 16 instances of Kontakt Player version 2.23 for a total of 17 instrumental tracks. The instrument libraries used are Garritan's GPO and JABB. With this many individual (not multi) track instances used, the activity monitor is showing high RAM usage. For some of the instruments, I could not use the KS choices (trumpet, trombone) because the extra RAM caused Logic to crash as I mounted more instruments.

I tried adjusting the DFD. Still, there remained high RAM usage and the occasional crash. For some of the crashes, I either got the endless colored spinning wheel or a message basically stating that there was no memory available for the DFD. I am no expert with the advanced workings of Logic and the DFD associated with the Kontakt plug-ins. But I am surprised that using just 17 instrument tracks with this newer Mac Pro computer (with 5 GBs RAM) is causing problems. Sadly, I am not an expert Apple user to be able to tell whether it's the computer or Logic or Kontakt. I suspect, though, its some kind of issue between Kontakt and Logic.

For my audio, I use MOTU's 2408 MK3. For my midi in-put I use M-Audio's Keystation Pro 88. I do not think either one of these devices are causing the apparent memory problems.

By the way. . . before I purchased my newer MacPro computer, I had a similar instrumental set-up using my aging Dell Precision 650 workstation with 2 GB of RAM using Steinberg's SX 3 program. I used the same GPO and JABB sound libraries. It did "challange" the Dell computer (I had to adjust buffer/latency settings to MOTU's 828 MK2 used with the Dell computer), but the computer didn't crash like what I'm experiencing at present.

I don't mind "networking" my computers together in order to use larger instrumental plug-in tracks. But I would think that given the "power" of my newer MacPro I should be able to handle more than 17 GPO & JABB tracks. Yes? No? I really do not know.

Given my current computer set-up, how many instrumental tracks (using libraries associated with Kontakt or the Kontakt Player) should I get?

Thank you in advance.

Ted

 

You should use 2 x K2 player only and use the 16 slot for your K2 player, you will gain a lot
2.5 GB of memory is not much
on you Mac you can also have a standalone K2 driven by IAC of Logic

To load a max in Ram use a Raid 0 and reduce the preload buffer

Best

Cyril

 

Hi Cyril -

Thank you for your reply. I will try your suggestions.

By the way, I re-read my original post. I edited my post to make more clear that I actually have 5 GB's of RAM. This should be plenty (even knowing that Tiger doesn't utilized all of it).

I like my newer Apple computer. I most certainly like Logic. But this apparent memory issue between Logic (Apple) and Kontakt is most dissappointing.

 

5 GB is Ok until you get 10.5

With LOgic 8, I can play a full orchestra with very complex score on my Quad G5 with K2 and QLSO Platinum

Best

Cyril

 

Cyril -

I tried the IAC with an "external" activation (from the Logic program) of Kontakt 2 Player within the MacPro computer. To be honest, this was the first time I attempted to use Apple's IAC. I can't get it to work correctly! It doesn't work at all! I wonder if there are issues between the IAC and the MIDIoverLAN CP3 software by Music Lab. It seems that the MIDIoverLAN CP3 is a similar concept to the IAC except that the MIDIoverLAN CP3 works allows midi "communication" between different computers.

I'm relatively new to the Apple world. I can work with the Apple programs when all is fine. But I am no where near expert enough to problem solves issues such as this.

Bummer. . . . .

 

Send me your email so I send you screen copies

 

Cyril -

Good News! I got it to work! Because of my full-time job, I currently don't have the time to see how bad the memory usage is when using the Kontakt 2 Player as a stand alone. But I am able to "connect" to the stand-alone K2P via the IAC! I am pleased to know that I have this option in working with Logic 8 and other instrumental libraries.

Thank you for the offer to help! It is most appreciated.

Ted