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Parallel Batch Audio File Conversion [How to Convert Faster]

Parallel Batch Audio Conversion

Tutorials

AuI ConverteR allow to use up to all CPU-cores (Central Processor Unit's cores) to parallel processing of several audio files. Read about multi-CPU issues below.

updated

Author: Yuri Korzunov,
Audiophile Inventory's developer with 25+ year experience in digital signal processing,
author of the articles that make audio easy for beginners

 

 

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How to CPU-cores are used in general

Each program (application) contains several threads. Thread is command kit, that may be performed sequentially only. As example, file conversion is thread.

Parallel audio conversion of several files

 

Operating system perform one thread (1 processing) at 1 core. If there are launched thread number more, that CPU cores, several threads are performed at single core. Operating system try distribute threads between cores optimal way.

If AuI ConverteR have in conversion list more files, than the cores are there, AuI ConverteR launch number of threads (conversions) that is equal core number.

Conversion of 1 file via several cores is not optimal due to synchronization processes between threads in current architecture.

In most cases, AuI ConverteR process file list and optimization for multi-core 1 file processing is not demanded.

 

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Manual limitation of used CPU-cores

Each audio processing thread (processed file) in work consumes: CPU-performance share, free space of RAM and hard disk.

If you want to release part of cores for other programms or reduce the resource use on your computer,

in Settings > General > "Used CPU-cores count" list select number of cores, that you want to give to AuI ConverteR maximally.

Rest cores will given for other programs, that works simultaneously with AuI ConverteR.

Parallel processing settings

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Multi-CPU and CD ripping

Simultaneous reading of CD from several locations of optical disk is not optimal because it may cause lesser reading speed and higher mechanical load to optical disk.

But conversion of read audio data may be performed simultaneously for several tracks. It's resonable for resampling, that consume significantly more processing time, than simple copy 44.1 kHz / 16 bit to audio file.

 

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Multi-CPU and True Gapless Conversion

When album is converted in True Gapless Mode, files should be converted sequentially. Because before conversion of next file, information of end of previous file conversion should be got.

In this mode multi-CPU core number in the AuI ConverteR settings is ignored.

 

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Multi-CPU and Modula-R edition

In Modula-R configurations "Parallel processing (add-on)" module makes multi-CPU functionality available. Read details...

 

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Application priority

Actual application priority is matter of operating system. Value in Settings > Misc > "Processing priority" list or in the main window of AuI ConverteR is request to operating system only. In general "Time critical" or all high priorities have no big sense, when no other applications works simultaneusly with AuI ConverteR.

 

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Parallel processing in AuI ConverteR editions

AuI ConverteR FREE allows testing of parallel processing.

To make available parallel processing of several file, "Parallel processing (add-on)" module is need.

Parallel processing is supported in:

  • full-featured PROduce-RD and

     
  • configurable Modula-R edition:
    module "Parallel processing (add-on)" (requires module "Base (core)" or "ISO extract (core)")

 

 

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