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General
Overload Protection
Overload Protection is Audiocube’s built-in “circuit-breaker.”
It continuously monitors engine latency (frame time / CPU load) and, if processing stalls for too long, issues a Master Stop that mutes audio, halts physics, and prevents system lock-ups or feedback spirals.
Why You Need It
Safety – Avoids crashes or audio driver lock-ups when you push the engine with heavy simulations, huge node counts, or runaway Logic-Box loops.
Clean Captures – Even if the GUI lags, the output WAV from the Master Recorder stays free of drop-outs.
Peace of Mind – You can experiment aggressively without fearing a reboot … or worse.
**Warning **Disabling Overload Protection removes this safety net. If the CPU locks hard, the application (or OS) may crash—and unsaved work will be lost.
Opening the Panel
Select Overload Protection from the bottom right corner (the lightning bolt icon).
Parameters
Control | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
Threshold | 0.04 s (≈25 fps) | How slow a single frame may be before it counts as an overload. Lower = stricter. |
Duration | 0.50 s | How long frame-time must stay above Threshold before Master Stop triggers. |
How it works
Frame time exceeds Threshold → overload counter starts.
Counter runs until time ≥ Duration.
Protection engages: Master Stop; all audio & physics pause.
Reset counter; resume when you press Play or hit Spacebar.
Turning Protection Off
Toggle Enable Overload Protection (top of the panel).
A confirmation dialog reminds you of the risk (“may crash your computer or corrupt audio”).
Click Disable only if you understand the implications.
Important Audiocube is not liable for hardware damage, data loss, or the improbable “house-burning-down” scenarios referenced in demo videos.
Pushing the Engine - Safely
High Node Counts Emitters with thousands of nodes tax CPU/GPU; keep the panel open to monitor spikes.
Heavy Acoustic Simulation Spatial Acoustics is CPU-intensive; consider toggling it off during extreme tests.
Feedback Loops Chaining Tickers ↔ Logic Boxes can create exponential trigger storms; Overload Protection will cut them before they run away.
Recovery After a Trip
The status bar shows “Overload Protection Engaged.”
Investigate what caused the spike: node counts, wall reflections, Logic loops, etc.
Reduce load (mute devices, lower visuals, disable reflections).
Press Play or Spacebar to resume.
Overload Protection is your guardian angel while you explore Audiocube’s limits. Leave it on, tweak the thresholds only when necessary, and create without fear.