Topic: Increased CPU usage using RME interfaces with recent Catalina updates?
Hi all
I got a new 16" MacBook Pro and a UFX+ last December and was blown away by the low latency and decrease in CPU usage when running Apple's MainStage with the new MBP and UFX+. There was a considerable difference (i.e. lower CPU usage) when running MainStage with the UFX+ compared with just running MainStage on the MBP without an interface. However, I've noticed that my CPU usage when using the UFX+ is now about the same as when running MainStage without an interface....which is really weird. Even with my previous MOTU Ultralite Mk3, the CPU usage (when running MainStage) was always less than when not using the Ultralite. My experience has always been that using a quality external audio interface reduced the amount of CPU usage on my various MBP machines when they were running MainStage.
I haven't changed anything with my MBP setup except for a) updating Catalina to 10.15.5 a little while back, and b) updating the UFX+ drivers or firmware (can't remember which) a couple of months ago. I assume that the extra CPU usage is due to changes with Catalina but I'm curious to know if any other Catalina users with RME interfaces have noticed increased CPU usage with audio applications after recent macOS updates? It just seems weird to me that using an RME interface would result in the same CPU usage as not using an interface, especially as there was such a marked difference in CPU usage (between using and not using an interface) when I first got the UFX+ and new 16" MBP last December.
Cheers
Gary