Cpu Overload .....already???, Protools / Powerbook G4 Options

[vinrock]

Hey guys, I'm hoping this is a simple oversight on my part and one of you can help.

I'm getting constant 'CPU Overload' errors when trying to record an audio track. This is what I have for track listings, plug ins etc... I'm on a brand new Powerbook G4 1.67 1.5 gig ram

Tr 1 - midi drum track
Tr 2 - Aux track - BFD drum plug in ( I suspect this is very CPU heavy)
Tr 3 - Audio track I'm recording guitar on (clean)
Tr 4 Aux track - Amplitube
Tr 5 Aux track - click (for count in)


Settings are:

CPU Usage limit - 85%
DAE PLayback Buffer = level 2 (default)
HW Buffer Size - 512 it tracks a little longer on 1024 but the latency is a killer there

My completely newbie guess is to pull out BFD and just use a midi drum sound while tracking, then crank H/W buffer for mixdown but could it be something else. Is that the max this Powerbook can handle?

Thanks so much in advance and hope you all have a happy and safe New Year !

Vin

[vinrock]

I did some tests with the Activity Monitor and CPU usage and yep, huge difference with BFD on and off. Short of buying a new G5, which I can't do at the moment, what are my best bets to maximize this powerbook....up it to 2gig Ram? BFD recommends putting BFD on it's own seperate firewire drive, would that help? Anything else?

I know I won't get a gazillion tracks with this G4, hoping for 12-14 max with a couple of plug ins at most. Am i asking too much?

Thanks!

Vin