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Audio Crackling at 50% DSP

GreedySparkGreedySpark
in Loopy Pro

Hoping for your thoughts to troubleshoot audio crackling in Loopy Pro.

My project consists of about 100 audio loops (drum loops I use as backing tracks), zero AUv3 instruments, a few audio hardware inputs (keyboard, groovebox, etc.), and about 20 AUv3 effects (a few on each hardware input, a few on different loops, a few on the main output). iPad Pro 4th gen, 8gb ram, M2 chip.

I recently added various compressors and limiters AUv3s (didn't use any before because I was naive) and am starting to experience audio crackling. I've been monitoring DSP and it rarely gets above 50-60%, but when it gets up in that range, the crackling starts. Also recently experienced the dreaded overheating issue.

I read a lot of posts here about people having more complex projects on older iPads with tons of AUv3 instruments, so I'm wondering if I'm really running into the limits of my iPad's processing power, or if there's something else at play.

Thoughts?

Comments

  • espiegel123espiegel123

    @GreedySpark said:
    Hoping for your thoughts to troubleshoot audio crackling in Loopy Pro.

    My project consists of about 100 audio loops (drum loops I use as backing tracks), zero AUv3 instruments, a few audio hardware inputs (keyboard, groovebox, etc.), and about 20 AUv3 effects (a few on each hardware input, a few on different loops, a few on the main output). iPad Pro 4th gen, 8gb ram, M2 chip.

    I recently added various compressors and limiters AUv3s (didn't use any before because I was naive) and am starting to experience audio crackling. I've been monitoring DSP and it rarely gets above 50-60%, but when it gets up in that range, the crackling starts. Also recently experienced the dreaded overheating issue.

    I read a lot of posts here about people having more complex projects on older iPads with tons of AUv3 instruments, so I'm wondering if I'm really running into the limits of my iPad's processing power, or if there's something else at play.

    Thoughts?

    Spend some time investigating which effects are responsible by methodically turning them off. You can tap on the DSP % indicator to see a list of the CPU usage by plugin.

    Increasing the buffer size will help.

    It is unlikely that people are using “tons of AUv3” instruments simultaneously without issues. They are probably muting/idling instruments not in use.

    You might want to post screenshots of your mixer in extended mode so that we can see all the plugins in use

  • GreedySparkGreedySpark

    @espiegel123 said:

    Spend some time investigating which effects are responsible by methodically turning them off. You can tap on the DSP % indicator to see a list of the CPU usage by plugin.

    Increasing the buffer size will help.

    It is unlikely that people are using “tons of AUv3” instruments simultaneously without issues. They are probably muting/idling instruments not in use.

    You might want to post screenshots of your mixer in extended mode so that we can see all the plugins in use

    Thanks, see screenshots. I have identified two Auv3 that are taking almost 15% each (no limits 2, JAF deejay), and keeping them both off typically prevents the crackling. Out of curiosity, would more ram (16gb) or upgrading to m4 chip help much? Or should I just learn to live with fewer effects or perhaps just try to find less processing intensive effects for the same purpose?




  • espiegel123espiegel123

    @GreedySpark : more RAM is not likely to make a difference. I’d suggest using a lower-CPU limiter (the built-in one is quite decent).

    What buffer size and sample rate are you using?

  • GreedySparkGreedySpark

    @espiegel123 said:
    @GreedySpark : more RAM is not likely to make a difference. I’d suggest using a lower-CPU limiter (the built-in one is quite decent).

    What buffer size and sample rate are you using?

    Will try the built in limiter thanks.

    Sample rate 48, buffer 64.

    I realize I could increase buffer, but notice a bit of latency when I’m singing (the vocal audio goes through digital processing before reaching the audio interface so there’s already a touch of latency and I’m trying to keep total latency down as it’s distracting when singing live)

  • espiegel123espiegel123

    @GreedySpark said:

    @espiegel123 said:
    @GreedySpark : more RAM is not likely to make a difference. I’d suggest using a lower-CPU limiter (the built-in one is quite decent).

    What buffer size and sample rate are you using?

    Will try the built in limiter thanks.

    Sample rate 48, buffer 64.

    I realize I could increase buffer, but notice a bit of latency when I’m singing (the vocal audio goes through digital processing before reaching the audio interface so there’s already a touch of latency and I’m trying to keep total latency down as it’s distracting when singing live)

    To keep the buffer at 64, you will need to experiment with plugins AND if you are noticing latency at 64, you may have plugins that are adding latency. Turn off all plugins to see if the latency changes.

    Also, are you direct monitoring at all? If you direct monitor and monitor the return it will give an exaggerated perception of latency.

    My guess is that No Limits, like many limiters and compressors, may add noticeable latency. The best limiters use lookahead which adds latency.

  • GreedySparkGreedySpark

    @espiegel123 said:
    To keep the buffer at 64, you will need to experiment with plugins AND if you are noticing latency at 64, you may have plugins that are adding latency. Turn off all plugins to see if the latency changes.

    Also, are you direct monitoring at all? If you direct monitor and monitor the return it will give an exaggerated perception of latency.

    My guess is that No Limits, like many limiters and compressors, may add noticeable latency. The best limiters use lookahead which adds latency.

    No direct monitoring, everything goes through Loopy Pro and gets processed before I hear it.

    I suspect you're right regarding No Limits. I'll try Loopy Pro's limiter and see if that helps and I'll also get back to using 128 buffer to see if I can live with it. Appreciate the advice.

  • wimwim
    edited September 2025

    According to AUM, NoLimits reports 5ms added latency.

  • GreedySparkGreedySpark

    Update in case anyone is curious: I've disabled No Limits 2, disabled JAF deejay and increased buffer to 128. This seems to resolve crackling in most cases, although I get some occasional crackling. I added LoopyPro's built-in Dynamics to replace No Limits 2 on the vocals, which seems to work.

    This is all a workable solution, except that I haven't found a replacement for JAF deejay, which is a DJ style filter app...but I'm sure with some digging it can be replaced.

    Thanks @espiegel123 and @wim

  • _smund_smund

    You could try a cheeky 96KhZ and 128 Buffer or the auto higher one that sometimes show up to see if it helps with latency. Put in airplane mode? Maibi you tried

  • espiegel123espiegel123

    @GreedySpark said:
    Update in case anyone is curious: I've disabled No Limits 2, disabled JAF deejay and increased buffer to 128. This seems to resolve crackling in most cases, although I get some occasional crackling. I added LoopyPro's built-in Dynamics to replace No Limits 2 on the vocals, which seems to work.

    This is all a workable solution, except that I haven't found a replacement for JAF deejay, which is a DJ style filter app...but I'm sure with some digging it can be replaced.

    Thanks @espiegel123 and @wim

    Can you make a screen recording with your mixer showing that includes the crackles you are talking about? What you are describing unusual.

    Do they happen with all effects off?

    Turn effects on one by one. Maybe there is an effect that is problematic regardless of buffer and DSP availability.

    Is there any connection between things being turned off and on?

  • AlfredAlfred

    I remember a discussion about audio safe threads that have to be programmed in C so the thread can not be interupted. I think the JAF plugins used a less safe method using C++ for the audiothread.

  • espiegel123espiegel123

    I think a few people have posted DJ style filters done in Drambo that can be used in Loopy Pro. With a little patience you can also set one up using loopy pro’s high-pass and low-pass filters and clever mapping of a slider

  • supadomsupadom

    I find my audio gets at times crackly when I open the iOS keyboard but it’s all fine otherwise.

    You can tap on the tiny cpu meter in loopy on the right hand side to reveal what percentage of the total each plug-in uses.

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