Logic Pro 9 system error message ..Helpful Advise?

[andygabrys]

And as an alternative to bouncing your instrument tracks you could freeze them to free up CPU. When I need to I'll freeze tracks while still working on a production and when I'm finished I'll bounce them for archival purposes.

freezing works a charm unless its a multi timbral / multi-out put instrument, where strangely that option doesn't exist. That's one for the logic new feature list for sure.

[andygabrys]

Well, of course Mac Pro is Apples high end machine, but I really don't agree with the statement regarding MacBook Pro.

I have a quad 2.2 core MacBook Pro early 2011 with 16 gig of ram and 2 SSD 512 gig disks.

I can run pretty much anything on this machine (I mainly work with software).
I can add a lot of channels, I have not so far experienced any problems.

Giving you an example of the programs I use on this machine:

Logic 9
Omnisphere
Trilian
8Dio adagio Violins
Cinematic Strings
Komplete 8
Everything done by the Swedish company Toontrack
Vienna SE
Cineorch
Cinebrass
Drums of War
Drums of War 2
Cinecrach
Cinetoms

... just to mention a few software programs on this machine..

gotta say, I have a feeling that this is the future. SSD's, and a reasonable machine. I believe Alexander you also have a second PC laptop to use for some VI's right with Vienna Ensemble?

Add that to what I said above about the PCI cards via Magma chassis using Thunderbolt, theres lots of portable power there.

[pboss]

What I find interesting is that you described your problem as happening "lately". My first question was going to be, "Did you add anything like a new plugin, or change anything". You described here as having added some memory. It could be something like that, which for some crazy reason, is introducing the problem. (yes, even though it's memory). Your set up did not have this problem until recently so, there is a reason. If I were you (and this could be an easy test) I would un-do whatever you did "recently" and see if the problem stops. I mean, go in, take out the exact memory cards you added. Memory can run at different frequencies and all that. Of course, if there is anything you did as well, like change the drive where you write your projects to, change a cable, anything. Put it back as well. Just to test to eliminate it as the possible cause.

[slideboardouts]

What I don't like about using a MBP or an iMac is that to expand them I end up with a rats nest of wires surrounding my workspace. I was there once, and I hated it. I've got a firewire interface (I record a lot of live instruments, not just software), then I've got my keyboard that's USB, my midi controller that's USB, an ilok, a USB dongle specifically for one synth that I use quite frequently, then I've gotta run multiple drives out of the thunderbolt ports. And what is the situation with MBPs and iMac's if you need/want to run multiple monitors? I've got one monitor now but I'm planning upgrading to 2 monitors before the end of the year. Having two monitors has a lot of advantages, especially when you're scoring to picture.

Put all of that together and I've got a bunch of crap surrounding me like I'm in the Borg collective or something... hard drives all over the place and wires galore. Before I got my Mac Pro my MBP had so many cables coming out of it it looked like it was on life support (and it pretty much was). And I remember having to get pretty creative to get everything connected and working properly since I had limited firewire and USB ports. RIght now everything is tucked away nice and clean with no worries.

And if something breaks on one of those cool looking unibody laptops or imacs... well, have fun with that. You pretty much have to send it away to Apple for a week or more for something that, on a tower, you could just go buy a replacement part for that very same day at a local electronics store. Or worse case scenario you order it from OWC or something and its there in a few days. If you have a deadline and you do this for a living, that is a big deal. A huge deal in fact. IMO, when you are relying on a machine for your livelihood, there is more to consider than just how much power you can squeeze out of it.

Yeah, I'll take a tower ANY day over a lap top or an all in one.

-Steve

[slideboardouts]

What I find interesting is that you described your problem as happening "lately". My first question was going to be, "Did you add anything like a new plugin, or change anything". You described here as having added some memory. It could be something like that, which for some crazy reason, is introducing the problem. (yes, even though it's memory). Your set up did not have this problem until recently so, there is a reason. If I were you (and this could be an easy test) I would un-do whatever you did "recently" and see if the problem stops. I mean, go in, take out the exact memory cards you added. Memory can run at different frequencies and all that. Of course, if there is anything you did as well, like change the drive where you write your projects to, change a cable, anything. Put it back as well. Just to test to eliminate it as the possible cause.

When mine started acting up it seemed kind of out of the blue without me really adding anything new (except maybe some loops). Its almost like they hit a certain threshold and then start to die a slow, agonizing death

-Steve

[andygabrys]

I end up with a rats nest of wires surrounding my workspace.

every port on my mac pro has something in it too, so maybe its like buying a really big backpack to go on a hiking trip. you will fill it up regardless.

[orest]

You are using 10.6.8?

I recommend that you scan the computer with the recovery DVD.
I think you insert it, reboot and hold down the "D" key.

If it's more of a software problem you can try to delete the Logic pref files to purge the "cache".
By doing this you will also delete any settings you've done (CC and such).

Andy, you are correct. I have a PC laptop with the same specs as my MB Pro (except no SSD, a raid-0 1.5 terrabyte hard drive instead).
But, I rarely use it with my MB because it's so powerful. It's only when I use the old East West VI's, and that's seldom.

[andygabrys]

You are using 10.6.8?

I recommend that you scan the computer with the recovery DVD.
I think you insert it, reboot and hold down the "D" key.

If it's more of a software problem you can try to delete the Logic pref files to purge the "cache".
By doing this you will also delete any settings you've done (CC and such).

Andy, you are correct. I have a PC laptop with the same specs as my MB Pro (except no SSD, a raid-0 1.5 terrabyte hard drive instead).
But, I rarely use it with my MB because it's so powerful. It's only when I use the old East West VI's, and that's seldom.

Wow that's good to know - those SSD s must really help out on the main machine.

[slideboardouts]

I end up with a rats nest of wires surrounding my workspace.

every port on my mac pro has something in it too, so maybe its like buying a really big backpack to go on a hiking trip. you will fill it up regardless.

True, but with my mac pro all of those wires are tucked in the back of my desk away from me vs the laptop where they were all right there in my face and dangling dangerously close to my feet... that set up was a nightmare. Also I've never had to run a bunch of USB hubs on my mac pro. It has plenty-o-ports.

Lucis, as another poster suggested, you're gonna need to do a lot of freezing and bouncing of tracks. It is a huge pain in the butt, but that is how you're gonna be able survive until you have enough money to buy a better system. Start saving as much as you can. You might want to go the hackintosh route, or at least look into it. You can get a very powerful machine for a fraction of the cost if you go with a hackintosh. You might even be able to get it under a grand actually.

-Steve

[andygabrys]

I think Patty Boss who posted above has a hackintosh and a builder she recommended for it if I remember correctly from a long -ago post.