Ableton/Live/UG/38 Computer Audio Resources/01 Managing the CPU Load/03 CPU Load from Tracks and Devices
- Tracks and devices cost CPU only while they process audio. Adding devices while stopped adds little load; an effect with no input is essentially idle, and a reverb or delay stays active until its tail finishes.
- That lowers average load but not peak load. To stress-test a Set before a show, play a clip on every track with all devices on; if the CPU meter's Current value stays well under 100%, the Set should hold up.
- The mixer's Performance Impact indicators show each track's share of the load as six rectangles. Turn them on from the Show/Hide Mixer Config menu at the bottom right, or View → Mixer Controls.
- Freeze a heavy track, or turn off some of its devices, to lower its impact.
