#Of Mac Pro's In Nodes = The Processing Power Of Pro Tools|HD (Hardware)7 Accel?

Rob G · 20th August 2006

#Of Mac Pro's In Nodes = The Processing Power Of Pro Tools|HD (Hardware)7 Accel?:

Now that Apple has released the Mac Pro's with up to 3Ghz processors the question is how many of the new Mac's noded together does it take to equal the processing power of a Pro Tools|HD (Hardware: 1 Core Card, & 6 Accel Process Cards) 7 system? Just curious.

Rob G..

Jay Lee · 21st August 2006

Well, I've tried to find any benchmark test from the web between PT and any computer processors but haven't found any...but I'm quite sure the answer is this:

Because PT uses TDM effects, which have totally different processing power needs than vsts or au's and thats why aren't comparable between each other, and because PT uses accel cards and vsts and au's use native processing...the comparison cannot be made.

I could be wrong, but this is the conclusion that I have come to.

Rob G · 21st August 2006

Because of the AU/VST, & TDM difference there is a divide. But, one should with some degree of consistency be able to make an estimate within a certain margin of error. For example take a plug in that runs in both TDM, & RTAS(that's AU/VST compatible as well) formats. Run as many instantiations on TDM as you can on a TDM system that has 1 core card, & 6Accel process cards. Now take the RTAS version of that same plug in, & run as many instantiations of the plug in on a Mac Pro 3Ghz, & see what the comparison numbers are. After doing this do the same test with as many other plug ins that you possess that are both TDM Accel compatible, & RTAS(plus AU/VST compatible) compatible. You should start to see a line of statistical data coming together with percentages that form a pattern. Get me, or no?

Rob G..

s.d.finley · 21st August 2006

Is it true that only the logic plugins and logic VI's can use the nodes source of power?

sdf

AdamJay · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

Is it true that only the logic plugins and logic VI's can use the nodes source of power?

sdf

Yes, it is true.

so really we cannot compare nodes to TDM.

s.d.finley · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJay

Yes, it is true.

so really we cannot compare nodes to TDM.

Well, at least you could go crazy with the VI's, they sound pretty cool. And that sampler too, EXS24....

sdf

aussie_techie · 21st August 2006

keep in mind it is a very different architecture this kind of 'node' processing has never met the requirements of real-time processing such as for audio and there is some over head and a great deal of latency involved. alot will also depend on logics efficiency in the new model macs.

the more even comparisons have duel core duel processor opterons more powerful than a HD7. intel claims that woodcrest performs better than opterons however i dont there has been any real proof. regardless if logic is running runs wells on these processing you will have more than enough processing power in a single machine

strauss · 21st August 2006

Yes you have to set the latency buffer of the native system kind of similar to the TDM system if you want to make an even comparison.
The biggest advantage of TDM is still the 'real-time' behaviour, but native is getting really close now.

Also, there's lots of benchmarking of native systems going on in the nuendo forum, they have also compared a quad woodcrest system (the xeon processors in the Mac Pro) to a quad Opteron system.

T_R_S · 21st August 2006

On a 7 Card HD system (one core and 6 Accel) you can run 192 Tracks audio tracks with 192 Waves SSL Channels with power left over. (44.1 sample rate) thumbsup .
That's a lot of jam.

Rob G · 22nd August 2006

When I say nodes, don't think about the potential of just Logic but potentially Nuendo, Digital Performer, & Cubase as well under the banner of Apogee's Ensemble/Symphony, or anything of that calibre. Just doing some thought provoking around here. Maybe some things brought up may not be capable of today but, may come to fruition in the near future.

Rob G..

audiomichael · 22nd August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

Well, at least you could go crazy with the VI's, they sound pretty cool. And that sampler too, EXS24....

sdf

The Logic Nodes doesn't help with EXS...having a RAID will though.

Rob G · 27th August 2006

Logic Pro Nodes 'should' be made to be fully functional to use AU/VST on nodes if not already(which I think not at this minute). Also Delay Compensation should be made to do the same for 'all' 3rd party hardware if not already as well(which also I think not as well at this minute).

Rob G..

777 · 29th August 2006

I wonder how many people around here, or anywhere else use Logic in nodes mode though.

A 777 Subject.

20th August 2006	#1
Rob G Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hampton Roads, VA - U.S.A. Posts: 644 Thread Starter	#Of Mac Pro's In Nodes = The Processing Power Of Pro Tools\|HD (Hardware)7 Accel? #Of Mac Pro's In Nodes = The Processing Power Of Pro Tools\|HD (Hardware)7 Accel?: Now that Apple has released the Mac Pro's with up to 3Ghz processors the question is how many of the new Mac's noded together does it take to equal the processing power of a Pro Tools\|HD (Hardware: 1 Core Card, & 6 Accel Process Cards) 7 system? Just curious. Rob G..

21st August 2006	#9
T_R_S Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canuk Posts: 5,163	On a 7 Card HD system (one core and 6 Accel) you can run 192 Tracks audio tracks with 192 Waves SSL Channels with power left over. (44.1 sample rate) thumbsup . That's a lot of jam. __________________ ========== Surplus Sale

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21st August 2006	#2
Jay Lee Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 318	Well, I've tried to find any benchmark test from the web between PT and any computer processors but haven't found any...but I'm quite sure the answer is this: Because PT uses TDM effects, which have totally different processing power needs than vsts or au's and thats why aren't comparable between each other, and because PT uses accel cards and vsts and au's use native processing...the comparison cannot be made. I could be wrong, but this is the conclusion that I have come to.

21st August 2006	#4
s.d.finley Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,562	Is it true that only the logic plugins and logic VI's can use the nodes source of power? sdf

21st August 2006	#7
aussie_techie Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	keep in mind it is a very different architecture this kind of 'node' processing has never met the requirements of real-time processing such as for audio and there is some over head and a great deal of latency involved. alot will also depend on logics efficiency in the new model macs. the more even comparisons have duel core duel processor opterons more powerful than a HD7. intel claims that woodcrest performs better than opterons however i dont there has been any real proof. regardless if logic is running runs wells on these processing you will have more than enough processing power in a single machine

21st August 2006	#8
strauss Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lowlands Posts: 695	Yes you have to set the latency buffer of the native system kind of similar to the TDM system if you want to make an even comparison. The biggest advantage of TDM is still the 'real-time' behaviour, but native is getting really close now. Also, there's lots of benchmarking of native systems going on in the nuendo forum, they have also compared a quad woodcrest system (the xeon processors in the Mac Pro) to a quad Opteron system.

22nd August 2006	#10
Rob G Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hampton Roads, VA - U.S.A. Posts: 644 Thread Starter	When I say nodes, don't think about the potential of just Logic but potentially Nuendo, Digital Performer, & Cubase as well under the banner of Apogee's Ensemble/Symphony, or anything of that calibre. Just doing some thought provoking around here. Maybe some things brought up may not be capable of today but, may come to fruition in the near future. Rob G..

27th August 2006	#12
Rob G Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hampton Roads, VA - U.S.A. Posts: 644 Thread Starter	Logic Pro Nodes 'should' be made to be fully functional to use AU/VST on nodes if not already(which I think not at this minute). Also Delay Compensation should be made to do the same for 'all' 3rd party hardware if not already as well(which also I think not as well at this minute). Rob G..

29th August 2006	#13
777 Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 171	I wonder how many people around here, or anywhere else use Logic in nodes mode though. A 777 Subject.