We have recently learned about two small and very helpful features that were added in Pro Tools 20201.6, which we were not aware of at the time. In this article, we share what we know about these two new features that include new error messages that direct you to the possible source of the problem and a new Optimization section in the Playback Engine window.

More Helpful Error Message Windows

We became aware of this feature with a number of posts on the DUC and on social media like this one, which sums it up very nicely…

“Has anyone noticed that the error messages in 2021.6.0 now actually have useful information and tips for resolving the issue? I just got a AAE -9173 error, but instead of just some general tech speak, it actually lists the problem plug-in by name, which track and insert it's on, and some specific suggestions about what to change beside just "increasing the buffer size", etc. I always thought that Avid should give us more than just cryptic error codes in PT, and they have! Hooray!”

The missing section in the 2021.6 Release Notes, which has been subsequently added in the Optimization section, says this…

“Plug-in crash and error reporting - When a plug-in causes a crash or takes too long to complete a task, that plug-in is identified in the resulting crash or error message. This can help with troubleshooting, as well as help Avid development partners improve stability of their plug-ins.”

In addition to reporting which plugin triggered the problem, which is a huge help in itself, there is also a More Info… button, which when you click on it, triggers a search of the Avid Knowledge Base articles for articles that are tagged with the appropriate AAE error message.

Which Errors Are Likely To Be Plugin Related?

A lot of the ‘issues’ users experience in fact relate to plugins, rather than being an issue with Pro Tools itself. Although, so far we have only seen -9173 errors reporting details of which plugin is the cause of the problem, Typical playback errors that plug-ins are likely to cause are also errors…

• -9173

• -9171

• -9184

• -9093

• -6101

• -9129

Other Options To Reduce Load On Your Computer

Here are some options to consider to reduce the demand from other services on a computer running Pro Tools that is on the edge…

• Turn off Auto Time sync by unticking macOS System Preferences > Date & Time > Date & time > “Set date and time automatically”.

• Time sync causes a system-wide notification that may cause errors.

• This issue is most common on high core count (more than 16 cores) machines.

• Turn off WiFi if not needed.

  • Another relatively widespread cause of playback errors are WiFi errors, which can generate system-wide notifications that may cause errors.

• Avoid heavy interaction with GUI such as moving windows around and/or resizing during playback if possible.

  • Heavy GUI interaction can cause conflicts with audio processing.

  • Most applicable for systems with integrated Intel graphics.

New Optimizations Section In Pro Tools Playback Engine Window

There is a new section to the Pro Tools Playback Engine Window that has been added with Pro Tools 2021.6. Some are settings that were in the Playback Engine window like Ignore Errors During Playback/Record and Dynamic Plug-in Processing, whereas some are new, like Limit Number of Real-Time Threads and Intel Turbo Boost. Here is the advice for how to use these new optimization options…

Limit Number of Real-Time Threads - (Intel-based Macs Only)

Pro Tools uses real-time threads for low-latency audio processing. To achieve low latency, these threads take priority to be processed quickly. However, if there are other non-Pro Tools real-time threads running, then they and the Pro Tools threads can fight with each other for CPU resources resulting in playback errors such as –9093s, –6101s, and AVB audio dropouts.

If other plugins or applications are using Real-Time threads, turn on the Limit Number of Real-Time Threads option in the Pro Tools Playback Engine window.

Too many Real-Time threads can cause operating system scheduler problems trying to do too much all at the same time, what is called contention. Enabling this option will reduce the number of real-time threads, reducing the possibility of contention.

Intel Turbo Boost (Intel-based Macs with Turbo Boost Support Only)

Turbo Boost is Intel technology that automatically boosts the clock speed of the processor when handling heavy workloads. It effectively gives your computer a power boost when it’s working hard, to help keep everything going. This option is enabled by default, which is the standard setting for any computer that has Turbo Boost capable CPUs.

If your computer fan is spinning at high speed, turn off the Intel Turbo Boost option in the Pro Tools Playback Engine dialog. Unchecking this option will Disable Turbo Boost system-wide. Disabling Turbo Boost may reduce Intel Mac fan noise that is caused by the increased CPU temperature from the overclocking. However, you may see slower performance from the computer since it is now running at its base CPU speed with no boost option.

Note that the fans running hard may indicate that the CPU is being throttled down due to excessive heat. This is a self-protection mode, so that if everything is getting too hot because it’s all working too hard. Consequently, this self-protection and turning down the processor power (throttling) can cause errors. Turning off Turbo Boost can help keep the CPU from heating up too much, thus avoiding throttling.

Avid recommends that Pro Tools Carbon users should Disable Turbo Boost.

Looking For More Detail On Pro Tools Error Messages?

Check out this article, Pro Tools Error Codes - What They Mean And How To Fix Them, in which we take a comprehensive look at the error codes that Pro Tools can throw up when you are least expecting them. We look at each message, explain what is going on and offer advice on how to resolve the problem.

Conclusion

There you have it. The new more helpful error messages will be incredibly helpful in narrowing down which plugin is causing the problem, which can save lots of time, moving plugins in and out of your Plugins Folder to diagnose which plugin is causing the problem.

The new options in the Pro Tools Playback Engine Window on Intel Macs are also very useful in disabling options, direct from Pro Tools.