{"id":1720621,"date":"2013-09-16T19:13:04","date_gmt":"2013-09-16T19:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?post_type=articles&p=1720621"},"modified":"2013-10-15T20:41:46","modified_gmt":"2013-10-15T20:41:46","slug":"pc-optimization-guide-for-windows-8","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/pc-optimization-guide-for-windows-8\/","title":{"rendered":"PC Optimization Guide for Windows 8"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following optimizations for Windows 8 are suggested by Avid for a better Pro Tools experience on your PC. These settings also apply to any other DAW.<\/p>\n

Note that many of the settings below require that you access the Windows Control Panel. If you do not know how to do that, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. From the Start screen<\/b>, move your mouse to the top-right corner<\/b> of the screen and hold<\/b> it there. You will see charms<\/b>\u00a0appear along the right edge of the screen.<\/li>\n
  2. Click on the magnifying glass<\/b> to open the Search, then type in Control Panel<\/b>.<\/li>\n
  3. You should see Control Panel<\/b> show up in the results. Press Enter<\/b> to open it.<\/li>\n
  4. Click the box next to View By<\/b> and select Large Icons<\/b>. This will give you a good view for working within the Control Panel.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you need further assistance finding the Control Panel, check out this video from Microsoft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    ——————————————————————————————————–<\/p>\n

    Update Graphics Driver<\/b><\/p>\n

    Outdated graphics drivers often times will not use the GPU efficiently. This can put strain on your system’s processor, which in turn steals resources from your DAW. As as result, you may notice a decrease in performance from your DAW. A simple solution to this is to make sure you keep your graphics drivers updated.<\/p>\n

    To find the make and model of your graphics controller and update it, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open the Control Panel<\/b><\/li>\n
    2. Click on Device Manager<\/b><\/li>\n
    3. Click the triangle<\/b> next to Display Adapters<\/b><\/li>\n
    4. Your graphics cared model will appear directly below<\/li>\n
    5. Double-click to view its properties<\/li>\n
    6. In the General tab<\/b> you can find the model<\/b> and the manufacturer<\/b>. In the Driver tab<\/b> you can find the driver version<\/b> and the date<\/b>.<\/li>\n
    7. Go to your manufacturer’s website to find the latest driver for your graphics controller.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      ———————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

      Update Network Adapter Driver<\/b><\/p>\n

      If your network adapter drivers are out of date, the ethernet controllers could end up using more resources than they needs, which would ultimately affect the performance of your DAW.<\/p>\n

      To update your network adapter driver, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Access the Device Manager<\/b> from the Control Panel<\/b>.<\/li>\n
      2. Select the Network Adapters<\/b> category<\/li>\n
      3. Find the manufacturer <\/b>and your network adapter model<\/b>. Often times, there will be more than one network adapter in Device Manager. Try updating them all to ensure proper performance.<\/li>\n
      4. Go to your manufacturer’s website to find the latest drivers for your network adapter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        ———————————————————————————————————–<\/p>\n

        Disable C-State Transition and Turbo Boost (BIOS)<\/b><\/p>\n

        Note that not all computers have these settings. If yours does, it is recommended that you disable them if possible. These two settings can cause the processor to change speeds depending on the computer’s activity. This can cause errors in your DAW.<\/p>\n

        You should consult the manufacturer of your computer or your motherboard<\/b> to see if these settings are available and learn how to disable them.<\/p>\n

        ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

        Adjust Power Options<\/b><\/p>\n

        It is recommended to adjust the power options so that your computer does not enter sleep mode, put the hard disks to sleep, or suspend USB devices. These features can cause playback and record issues as well as issues with your audio interfaces.<\/p>\n

        Follow these steps to optimize your power options:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Open Control Panel<\/b><\/li>\n
        2. Click on Power Options<\/b><\/li>\n
        3. Select High Performance<\/b><\/li>\n
        4. Click on Change plan setting<\/b><\/li>\n
        5. Set the display’s sleep time <\/b>as well as the computer’s sleep time<\/b> to Never<\/b>.<\/li>\n
        6. Click on Change advanced power settings<\/b><\/li>\n
        7. Click the + <\/b>next to Hard Disk<\/b>, then click the +<\/b> next to Turn Off Hard Disk After<\/b><\/li>\n
        8. In the text field, type Never<\/b><\/li>\n
        9. Click on the + <\/b>next to USB settings<\/b>, the click the + <\/b>next to USB selective suspend settings<\/b><\/li>\n
        10. Double-click where it says Enabled<\/b>, then click Disabled<\/b>.<\/li>\n
        11. Click on the +<\/b> next to Processor<\/b> power management, then click the +<\/b> next to Minimum processor state<\/b><\/li>\n
        12. Type 100 <\/b>in the text field (%<\/b>)<\/li>\n
        13. Click Apply<\/b>, then OK<\/b><\/li>\n
        14. Click Save Changes<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

          Disable USB Power Management<\/b><\/p>\n

          By disabling the USB power management, you can free up bandwidth on the USB bus which will help with issues related to device recognition and driver installation. To turn it off, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Open Control Panel<\/b><\/li>\n
          2. Click on Device Manager<\/b><\/li>\n
          3. Double-click on Universal Serial Bus Controllers<\/b><\/li>\n
          4. Double-click on the first <\/span>USB Root Hub <\/b>item<\/li>\n
          5. Click on the Power Management Tab<\/b><\/li>\n
          6. Uncheck<\/b> the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” and click OK<\/b><\/li>\n
          7. Do this for all USB Root Hub items<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

            Run as Administrator<\/b><\/p>\n

            Running your DAW as an Administrator will help solve many launch and MIDI related issues. To learn how, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. From the Windows 8 Start screen<\/b>, click on the Desktop<\/b> tile<\/li>\n
            2. Right-click <\/b>on the icon for your DAW<\/b><\/li>\n
            3. Choose Properties<\/b><\/li>\n
            4. Click on the Compatibility tab<\/b><\/li>\n
            5. Check<\/b> the box that says “Run this program as an administrator”<\/li>\n
            6. Click Apply<\/b>, then OK<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

              Hard Disk Optimizations<\/b><\/p>\n

              These optimizations will improve disk performance when recording and playing back audio files.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Hold<\/b> your mouse over the top-right corner of the Start screen<\/b> to show the Charms<\/b><\/li>\n
              2. Click on the magnifying glass<\/b>, type in Computer<\/b>, then hit Enter<\/b><\/li>\n
              3. Right click on the drive on which you will store your audio<\/b> and choose Properties<\/b><\/li>\n
              4. Make sure “Compress this drive to save disk space” is unchecked<\/b><\/li>\n
              5. Click Apply<\/b>, then OK<\/b><\/li>\n
              6. Repeat<\/b> this for any drive where you’ll be storing audio<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

                Install the Latest Device Drivers<\/b><\/p>\n

                Make sure you keep the drivers for your audio interface up to date. This will ensure compatibility with your DAW. You can find driver updates at the manufacturer’s <\/b>website.<\/p>\n

                ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

                Adjust Processor Scheduling<\/b><\/p>\n

                Adjusting the processor scheduling will allow your computer to run your DAW more efficiently. To learn how, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Open Control Panel<\/b><\/li>\n
                2. Click on System<\/b><\/li>\n
                3. Select Advanced System Settings<\/b><\/li>\n
                4. Click the Advanced Tab<\/b><\/li>\n
                5. Under Performance<\/b>, click the Settings<\/b> button<\/li>\n
                6. When the Performance Options<\/b> window pops up, click the Advanced tab<\/b><\/li>\n
                7. Under Processor Scheduling<\/b>, select Background Services<\/b><\/li>\n
                8. Click Apply<\/b>, then OK<\/b><\/li>\n
                9. Click OK<\/b> to close System Properties<\/b><\/li>\n
                10. Restart<\/b> your computer for the changes to take effect<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

                  Disabling Screen Saver<\/b><\/p>\n

                  Your screen saver may cause issues if it starts while your DAW is running. To turn it off, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. From the Start Screen<\/b>, select the Desktop<\/b> tile<\/li>\n
                  2. Right-click<\/b> on your Desktop<\/b> and select Personalize<\/b><\/li>\n
                  3. Click on Screen Saver<\/b><\/li>\n
                  4. Select None<\/b>, then click OK<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

                    Disable User Account Control<\/b><\/p>\n

                    User Account Control can cause issues with volume read\/write permissions. To turn it off, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Open Control Panel<\/b><\/li>\n
                    2. Click User Accounts<\/b><\/li>\n
                    3. Click Change User Account Control Settings<\/b><\/li>\n
                    4. Set to Never Notify<\/b><\/li>\n
                    5. Click OK<\/b><\/li>\n
                    6. Restart <\/b>your computer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      ————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

                      Misc. Optimizations<\/b><\/p>\n

                      The following is a list of recommendations to get better performance out of your system.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Avoid connecting audio interfaces to USB or Firewire hubs. You will experience an overall better experience when you plug directly into your computer.<\/li>\n
                      • Make sure all unnecessary programs are closed. They can tie up useful resources.<\/li>\n
                      • Turn off any software utilities that run in the background, such as Windows Messenger, calendars, and disk maintenance programs.<\/li>\n
                      • Disconnect any unused USB devices from your computer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","categories":[1,4],"tags":[35079,57296,44994],"storecat":[],"itemids":[],"manufacturers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n