Korg NAUTILUS Series, Parameter Manual, Page: 23 / 961

PROGRAM > Home 0–2: Performance Meter
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0–2: Performance Meter
This page lets you look at the real-time performance of the
NAUTILUS, including voice usage, voice stealing, and
effects.
0–2a: CPU
Voice CPUs
This meter shows the amount of CPU power being used for
playing voices. It uses two different colors to show the
relative costs of voices and EXi fixed resources (see below).
The relative percentage of each is shown numerically to the
right of the meter graphic.
The figures shown are a real-time view of the actual CPU
usage. Because of this, they may vary slightly even if you
aren’t changing anything. Also, due to the complex way in
which the NAUTILUS uses the CPU, the figures may
sometimes not change by much (or at all) when the number
of voices changes by a small amount, or when you add or
remove EXi with fixed resources.
EXi Fixed: This shows the amount of power used for EXi
fixed resources, in yellow. “Fixed” means that part of the
EXi starts using processing power as soon as the EXi is
loaded, before playing any notes. These include effects built
into the EXi, such as the amps and effects in the CX-3 and
EP-1, as well as features shared by all voices, such as the
MS-20EX’s external signal processor. For more information,
see “CX-3 & other EXi: Limitations on EXi fixed resources”
on page 380.
Voices: This shows the amount of power used for currently-
sounding voices, in green. This includes all HD-1 and EXi
voices.
Voice Stealing
Sometimes, if a lot of voices are already sounding, there
won’t be enough free power to play a new voice. When this
happens, the system stops older or lower-priority voices to
free enough CPU power for the new voice. This is called
“voice stealing.” This meter shows the amount of voice
stealing, in real time.
The NAUTILUS uses a complex, sophisticated system for
voice stealing, which can stop voices from one synth (such
as the HD-1) to make room for another (such as the
PolysixEX). It also makes sure that you never have to worry
about drop-outs from CPU “overs,” as you do on most
software systems.
In most cases, voice stealing will sound natural. Sometimes,
however, you may notice that voices seem to be cutting off
too early. If this occurs:
1. Check this meter to see whether a lot of voice stealing
is happening.
If the meter doesn’t show voice stealing, then the problem is
being caused by something else. If the meter does show a lot
of stealing, then you can address this in several different
ways. Note that these solutions apply primarily to
COMBINATION and SEQUENCER modes.
2. In COMBINATION and SEQUENCER modes, use
the Track/Timbre Priority setting to protect critical
sounds from voice stealing.
For more information, see “Timbre Priority” on page 405.
3. Use the Max # of Notes setting to limit the polyphony
of specific Timbres or Tracks, leaving more power for
other sounds.
For more information, see “Max # of Notes” on page 407.
4. In SEQUENCER mode, bounce high-polyphony
MIDI Tracks to Audio Tracks, and then mute the
MIDI Tracks.
0–2PMC
0–2a