Why does Kontakt use a high amount of CPU with the Cremona quartet

Illepak

Why does Kontakt use a high amount of CPU with the Cremona quartet even in a simple non-multi microphone?

Furthermore, for example, the viola plays prolonged notes not in midi. Is it a Kontact problem or is there a known problem with the Cremona Quartet?

Rotomot

Some of the articulations in Cremona Quartet instruments, like virtuoso, are based on heavy use of internal MIDI CC messages generated in the KSP script. Those MIDI messages are controlling per voice modulations. And there can be relatively many voices playing, something like 14 simultaneous voices on fast passages using virtuoso articulation.

Those instruments are also using 5 convolution reverb effects.

The high CPU load might be combination of multiple voices playing with scripted MIDI CC modulations through 5 convolution reverbs.

Jeremy_NI

We would need a bit more information. What is your operating system? Did you install the library on an external hard drive? What format is that drive? Does this happen with any other Kontakt library? Is it happening in Kontakt in standalone, in your DAW? Both What DAW is it?

Regarding the "prolonged notes in midi" could you develop?

Illepak

Hi Jeremy,
My SO is Windows 10 on a PC Asrock z87 extreme with an old CPU i7 with 32 GB RAM. The library is installed on a 4TB M2 drive mounted on a PCIE slot. the Daw is CUBASE 13 pro. The problem doesn't happen with other vsti in Kontakt and no problem with EWSO or others. I use a USB Audio card U-Phoria UMC204HD.

Jeremy_NI

Ok but does it also happen in Kontakt in standalone?

Kubrak

32 GB may be enought, it may not be. It depends.... One patch of Cremona may use 5 GB of RAM, if using multimic. Check if you have enought RAM, if you do not allocate more RAM than your PC has and RAM has to be swapped do SSD.

And how many cores has your i7? Very old mobile i7s were also only 2C/4T.

Illepak

The CPU is 4 cores 8 Threads. The amount of CPU go to 50% also with Kontact standalone, playing the viola.
My asrock is old and the M2 is installed using a SABRENT Adapter PCIe SSD M.2 NVME, and the M2 is a Lexar NM790 4TB.
I noticed that the sound is produced by selecting multiple voices in a velocity-dependent manner, and this may affect CPU usage.

Illepak

The amount of %CPU changes using virtuoso or other articulations. Using staccato, the CPU remains under 5% instead of 30-50% using virtuoso.

Rotomot

Some of the articulations in Cremona Quartet instruments, like virtuoso, are based on heavy use of internal MIDI CC messages generated in the KSP script. Those MIDI messages are controlling per voice modulations. And there can be relatively many voices playing, something like 14 simultaneous voices on fast passages using virtuoso articulation.

Those instruments are also using 5 convolution reverb effects.

The high CPU load might be combination of multiple voices playing with scripted MIDI CC modulations through 5 convolution reverbs.

Illepak

Thanks, Rotomot for your explanation. So I understand it's time to upgrade my i7-4770 based hardware. Are there any suggestions regarding CPU choice to avoid these problems?