Buildmix speed - what is the limiting factor?

[Naturally Digital]

Hi All,

I've been meaning to ask:

What is the limiting factor on the speed of the buildmix function? Is it harddrive throughput? I'm talking for example, on a 16 track project with conservative use of plugs etc.

I've noticed that the cpu does not appear to be the bottleneck.

Thanks,
Dave.

[Bob L]

The drives are being exercised in read mode as fast as they can and then the heads are stepping constantly back and forth to write the mix, if on the same drive...

Sometimes you may see a speed increase when writing the mix file to a different physical drive than the session source files are on... but most likely on today's machines you wont gain much by doing so.

Bob L

[Naturally Digital]

Thanks Bob. Good point. I'll remember this the next time I'm working with a long, multitrack recording. Might be able to save a few minutes when I'm running late for an appointment and I've started my buildmixes later than I should have... ;)

Dave.