Logic Pro X CPU Optimization | 2021 | M1 System Tips | Run more Plugins!

Sections

0:00 - Intro
1:52 - Processor Affinity
4:17 - Apple M1 CPU Clusters
9:03 - Logic CPU Benchmark
14:19 - Logic CPU Stress Test
19:13 - Perfecting Audio Settings
30:04 - Conclusions

I Intro

You want to run more plugins, master your tracks in on the fly and have logic perform without interrupts or system overloads.

How do I tune Audio Settings to get the best out of my system?

01 How macOS and operating systems in general handle multiple threads and assign workload to multiple CPU Cores. We will discuss Processor Affinity.

02 CPU load demonstrations on an 8 core Apple Macbook Pro M1 system and show how to measure the Firestorm and Icestorm CPU Loads.

03 Benchmark a real audio session for CPU load with standard Logic Settings

04 Overload the system by adding hungry plugins that chew out the cores.

05 Tune Logic settings to get more out of our system and run a session that would otherwise fail.

06 Conclude and summarise how to get the best out of Logic for complex session playback. Talk about the relative performance of the Macbook Pro, Mac Mini and Macbook Air versions of the M1 system for Logic

Notes

Program threads are allocated to CPU cores by MacOs

1. Affinity groups allow pooling of threads that would want to share L2 Cache for code and data interaction without cache misses and subsequent memory management churn.

2. Assigning application threads to different affinity groups will suggest to the OS that they could/should be allocated to different cores if available. This is load spreading and is managed by the MacOS scheduler depending on available resources.

The Thread Affinity API is introduced here:

02 8 Core Demonstration on M1 SOC System

M1 High Performance group (P cluster) is made of 4 “Firestorm” Cores and maxes out at around 14W for the group. The efficiency group (E Cluster) is made from 4 Icestorm Cores running 1/4 of the L1 and L2 cache sizes when compared to the Firestorm Cores and with lower maximum clock speeds. The Icestorm E-Cluster has a maximum power drain of under 1.5W.

M1 machines share L2 cache within the cluster (12MB for the P-Cluster) so the overhead of cache management when migrating processes between different cores should be minimised.

Overall CPU util is based on the idea that all cores are equal. Which they are not. The “yes hog” has dominated the High-Power cores but we will report this as 50% util. We have only played 50% of the cards in our hand but we have gone in hard early the strength we have left in hand is weaker. Its 50% of the cards but not 50% of the power we had originally.

03 Benchmarking real audio with Logic

There is no one-to-one obvious relationship between the Logic CPU bars and which core will eventually run the affinity set. I have looked for one. Feel free to comment if you have more insight.

Clearly in the default config of only using the high-power cores we are limiting to 4 affinity sets.

The CPU bars could be viewed as the “intention” Logic has about spreading the load. What happens beneath is down to MacOs.

05 Tuning for better Logic Performance

A. Increasing IO Buffer
size has little effect on playback performance. In live multitrack capture I max it to 1024 (Samples). This has no measurable effect on logic size in memory. 1024 samples of 24 bit audio is 1024 * 24 / 8 = approx. 3KByte per track .. Nothing.

B. Process Buffer Range

Increases the size of Logic in memory 4.18 GB (small) 4.36 GB (large) say 200MB in my case.
Performance load measures are not obvious here but will be more so when system is at limit with all cores in play.

C. Mutithreading Option.

Default logic behaviour is to hide some thread headroom for the overhead of recording live tracks and/or playing live input to software instruments. The Performance monitor bars are hence showing something slightly less than Logics full ability to apply load to the system.

In particular I am seeing better logic thread headroom when BOTH the process buffer range is increased AND the multithreading option is set to Playback Tracks Only.

06 Conclusions

Logic limitations are based on peaks in mix engine CPU utilisation and have been shown to be related to dynamic audio routing. Since routing may be turned on an off through automation, Logic CPU load in real time is not constant and may fluctuate.

M1 Mac Mini has active cooling also and it doing to be on a par with Macbook Pro M1. MacBook Air M1 will perform well with Logic as CPU requirements will not have the highest of thermal profiles.

Plugin load and performance in Logic is made better by the allowing all Cores to process load via the Processing Threads option. Further improve CPU headroom and performance by setting the Process Buffer Range to Large and the Multithreading option to Playback Tracks if your session is in mixdown only.

[tivermusic]

This is one of the most educational videos on Logic I've seen. Not only have you demonstrated how well it runs on M1, but you've also taught us a bit about how Logic Pro actually handles CPU loads and why! This is very very crucial! Thank you very much!

[Gongtopia]

That was the BEST Logic Pro video I've ever seen. I learned so much from it. You're so right about all those hypothetical "90 tracks open in Logic" videos not addressing actual real world usage. Your explanation was clear, concise, and without the usual 'hype' that others add. I have a much better understanding of how Logic works as a program within Mac OS. Thank you!

[MrWaightyboy]

Best M1 chip review for music I've seen! Thanks.

[ceebee]

I honestly watched this video a few times. Its not because i don't understand what you were saying but its because you explained it so well that its worth watching it again.. Thank you so much!!

[jet.rollins]

I got 1:42 in a already blown away by this. Your presentation style is informative and reassuring with out being over complicated. Thank you for making these videos.

[just_pierre]

This video is a Masterclass demonstration. I'm 62 years, have a lot of experience with big client/server environments on Windows, Mac and Linux. I followed lots of official training but this were the best 30 minutes of giving information and how to demonstrate it. Well done, Mark.

[marksinger]

This isn't your usual YouTube self aggrandizing puffery. This is EDUCATION. Thank you!

[markmallinder]

Saw this about a year ago but, now that I have just got a Mac Studio, with M1 Max it has suddenly become very relevant to me. Many thanks Mark for all that you do for the Logic community. It is very much appreciated.

[jakobgeorgaudio]

Just love how you ended the m1 benchmark pissing contest for good. Wholesome.

[seanwolford]

From a software engineer (I started my career as a audio engineer and eventually started writing software) -- @Mark Payne it makes me so happy that you know and think about these things. This is so well presented to this channel and gives a great insight into how the hardware and software work together in a practical application.

[rackmountroomba]

This video series is a treasure trove of hyper-valuable information that I have not yet seen. The concepts of I/O buffer vs process buffer, multithreading & thread affinity were all explained so simply.... I just can't believe this is all available for free on Youtube. Thank you!!!

[friejay]

Great video! Finally a Video with a professional requirement and the right background informations. Really rare on YouTube these days. Most guys are talking about things they do not understand and these guys are giving tips to those who are reliant on - Really dangerous. But good to see that there are some professional colleagues left who are sharing their knowledge ! Great stuff

[jordanjohnmusicofficial]

FINALLY!!! Comprehensive knowledge on a subject and system that is unfortunately oversaturated with amateur analysis and click bait. Mark, this was definitely one of the most insightful rundowns I think I've seen from anyone re: this subject. As a professional musician using these platforms in actual tracking and mixing scenarios, this has shed so much light and professional perspective that many have been actively searching for on the internet. I don't think there's any need to apologize for being so detailed and thorough. I really enjoyed your thoughtful insight on these very necessary considerations when using a Mac & Logic. Bravo to you, Sir! I am definitely subscribing to your channel. Looking forward to further insight and perspectives. Cheers from Toronto, Canada!

[easyvelvet]

More Clear test could not exist!!! Thanks for your sharing performance!

[jergervasi]

Amazing video! My i7 3.2gHz 6 core Mac Mini (2019) with 64GB RAM was choking on Logic, even though a lot of my plugins were UADs, running on 20 cores of UAD processing! Your tweaks just freed up about 50% more CPU headroom for me, and my problems have vanished. Even when not crashing, the audio "sounds" more stable (might just be my brain... LOL). TOP MAN! THANK YOU!

[hambone]

I can't thank you enough. Once and for all, you made it clear and explained how and why. I went from crashing to 25% in the Logic CPU meter. Life saver!!! This is essential!

[DanBires]

I did play around with these settings a bit when I first got my m1 Mac mini. Wasn't sure if it made a difference but I wast utilizing for playback which makes a big difference. I always noticed that stereo plugins or using in the form of studio is a memory hog. I can add the same plugin on a mono track barely uses anything then applied to the master buss and bam cpu goes up. Thanks for this video. Now I understand what's going on and how to squeeze more plugins natively. I do have an Apollo 8p with a octocore satellite that helps a lot and so far I haven't got into a situation like this but great info. to know. Take care.

[therealtedwinslow]

Whoa....next bottle of wine is on me! Phenomenal video and a great explanation of what is happening, and what you can do. So right about the stress tests. Thanks so much for this, cheers.

[dast]

What a great video, the length didn't bother me at all. I was writing an essay for uni and every time I was taking a break I was coming back to see the rest. Next time I'll have a glass of wine for myself and enjoy your content properly. So glad I found your channel

[RobbieAudet]

Hey mate. I've written about 500 songs in my life, and now I'm becoming a professional producer. And can I just say, your no bull, completely logical and linear approach to explaining intricacies that someone like me who used to just jump into a project and make up an idea would have no hope of knowing.... Flippin' brilliant video mate. My band is not going to flay me after all thanks to you hahahahaha. Cheers from Aus