While the operating systems' performance monitors display the total system CPU load, the new Audio Performance Monitor provides more detailed and tailored feedback on the audio engine load situation and allows for a quick diagnosis of audio engine issues. To achieve this, a new algorithm to separately measure the load for real-time and prefetch (ASIO-Guard) threads has been implemented.
The metering toolbar displays the current real-time, ASIO-Guard and peak loads. This not only offers a quick overview of the overall system load, but also provides a detailed indication of the source of the current system load. Please note that
The purpose of the distinction between real-time (average) and real-time (peak) is to identify issues that are caused by a high deviation between average and real-time. One example could be plug-ins that create a sporadic high peak load or that have an issue that directly affects the engine performance. Often, this needs to be investigated further.
In the following, you will learn more about the various displays and terms you will encounter in the Audio Performance Monitor window:
Real Time
Shows the average audio processing load of the latency critical processing path. This is the case for all live inputs or monitoring activated channels. It is always processed with the block size of the audio device settings.
ASIO-Guard
Shows the average audio processing load of the processing path, which can be processed in advance (prefetched). The block size depends on the ASIO-Guard settings found on the 'Audio System' page of the 'Studio Setup' dialog. If the audio interface is set to a small block size, it is a bigger block size than for real-time processing. Please find details on the ASIO-Guard in this article.
Peak
Shows the highest measured load (in the latency critical real-time processing path). If this meter peaks/clips, it will cause an audio dropout (see below).
Disk Cache
The metering of the current disk engine load is identical to the one used in previous releases.
Overload Indicator
The processing overload indicator at the right indicates dropouts if the processing load exceeds 100% or if the audio engine is restarted due to the internal detection of too high processing delays. For example, this might occur if the prefetch (ASIO-Guard) buffer runs empty due to a too high real-time load.
It is reset by clicking on it or whenever the engine is reinitialized due to audio device setting changes or when the reset button is pressed.
The overload indicator can also be reset with a key command now. You can find it under 'Audio Performance' → 'Reset Processing Overload Indicator' in the 'Key Commands...' settings in the 'Edit' menu.
Dropout
The new Dropout section introduced with Cubase 14 and Nuendo 14 offers a more granular analysis of the audio engine load, pinpointing issues down to specific tracks. It also includes built-in countermeasures for handling detected overloads.
The updated performance display provides diagrams illustrating ASIO-Guard and Realtime load measurements. Dropouts are visually represented as red vertical lines. This allows tracking their occurrence over a time axis.
Below the diagram, a list displays all tracks where the Performance Monitor has identified high loads and dropouts. This offers a convenient overview of the tracks causing or impacted by performance issues.
ASIO Buffer
This button opens the Control Panel for the audio hardware, where you can increase the buffer size to help your computer handle audio more smoothly and reduce strain on the system.
⚠️ Note
Increasing the buffer size also results in a higher latency and is not recommended if you record audio or play virtual instruments in real time.
ASIO-Guard
This button opens the Audio System page of the Studio Setup dialog, where the ASIO-Guard and further performance-related settings can be adjusted.
⚠️ Note
If dropouts occur during playback, we recommend the following settings in the Advanced Options section:
- Activate ASIO-Guard is enabled.
- ASIO-Guard Level is set to High.
- Activate Multi Processing is enabled.
- Activate Steinberg Audio Power Scheme is enabled (Windows only).
Freeze
The Freeze Track feature is used to freeze audio or instrument tracks along with its insert effects, significantly reducing the realtime performance load caused by processing intensive insert effects and/or instruments.
Frozen tracks are locked for editing, preventing the editing, removal, or addition of insert effects. To unfreeze a track, Freeze can be clicked again.