96 PPQ is probably enough

Nystagmus · 10-11-2015, 04:49 PM

I was just doing some more reading about DAW stuff and it turns out that using really high PPQ settings can affect CPU load.

It's interesting because many classic drum machines only had a PPQ of 96 and that's FL Studio's current default setting already.

So if you're using a program that has it set high, you can lower it and maybe get more CPU cycles back. I looked at my Reaper settings and it was 960 which I definately don't need.

If you usually quantize everything 96 is enough. But even if you don't quantize everything, 96 might still be enough. PPQ resolution only really matters for performance events that don't happen on a grid.

96 PPQ = 48 pulses per eighth note = 24 pulses per sixteenth note = 12 pulses per thirty-second note = 6 pulses per sixty-fourth note = 3 pulses per 128th note

Most people don't even go beyond 32nd notes and 3 pulses is still enough for a tiny triplet.

PPQ might matter more if you are synchronizing MIDI to film/video or using MIDI to record sound effects or lighting events happening at exact frame times.

The FL Studio info says that anything greater than 192 starts to tax the CPU.

Even for note off timings, 96 is still enough. And it's a very common number so it's compatible with a lot of other stuff.

BlindfoldKnobs · 06-11-2016, 07:41 PM

96 PPQ is more than enough for Dance music.

relic · 06-11-2016, 07:45 PM

Hey man. All this stuff is over my head, but wanted to say good to see you around again Nystagmus.

Parricide · 12-11-2016, 02:49 PM

i havent got anything to add, but you did bring it to my attention that neither PPQ nor TPQN were in the A to Z. thanks! now our A to Z is officially better than the music radar one

EDIT:

i feel like i should add to the thread now though :/ for what its worth, i have never had to change any PPQ settings and i dont even know what the default settings of any DAW i use is.
i do tend to work at higher BPMs than average though, but i would imagine at the extreme end of low BPMs you might start to notice

DjRapitops · 12-11-2016, 08:29 PM

I did wonder what that setting was actually doing and why it affected CPU load, thanks!

Kenophos · 01-03-2017, 01:44 PM

I wonder if it's possible to change the PPQ in Ableton. I haven't found anything about it sadly.

professurreal · 01-03-2017, 10:42 PM

Never even knew there was such a thing but after reading about it it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for reminding me once more that the learning never ends.