Hello Gert,
1) 'Size of page file'
In my opinion to avoid swapping, the best way is to configure a page (swap) file size of 0 (!).
I did it and have now never swapping, also never distortion.
But Martin recommends repeatedly: Set page file specifically to 'system managed size'.
Some 64-bit drivers, and most notably E-MU's, contain or rely upon some 32-bit components and cause the system to become unstable and to behave erratically if you disable the page file and you have more than 4 GB of memory installed and load a large sample set.
Some common symptoms of that problem (if you disable the page file on 64-bit Windows with more than 4 GB of memory installed):
- Organs sometimes extremely slow to load.
- Random crashes.
- Sometimes no audio / distorted audio.
- Poor performance in Hauptwerk.
- Other random bizarre behaviour, e.g. settings screens not working properly, component installer not working properly.
You might find some of these symptoms with some organs and not others depending on how much and which portions of memory they occupy.
Hence I'd strongly advise not disabling the page file on 64-bit Windows if you have more than 4 GB of memory, or at least if you find any unexpected stability, performance or other issues (which I'd expect you to experience on your system if you disable the page file) to re-enable it straight away.
2) There is a setting 'Processor Scheduling'. You can set it to:
a. 'Background Services'
b. 'Active programs'.
Hauptwerk is a program, rather than a background service, so you should get the best performance in Hauptwerk by leaving the setting at its default (to favour programs).
a. is good for the performance of ASIO drivers
b. is good for the performance of Hauptwerk itself.
I opt for 'Active programs' because Hauptwerk has the heaviest impact.
Correct. The audio drivers themselves use a negligible amount of processing power, whereas Hauptwerk (which is a program) needs the bulk of it.
There's also some information on these settings under 'Other operating system optimisation' in the performance tuning section of the user guide:
http://www.hauptwerk.com/clientuploads/documentation/CurrentUserGuide/UserGuideRedirects/PerformanceTuning.pdf
Best regards, Martin.
Hauptwerk software designer/developer, Milan Digital Audio.