How many instances of EXS24 can you fit into one session?

Question

Hey all,
Well, it seems like I finally have a project where I'm starting to max out my new Intel iMac. Everything was working fine until I added my 22nd VI, and then I started getting all sorts of CPU overload errors. All of my instances are EXS24, and all the samples are divided up between VSL's Opus 1 & 2 and some M-Audio strings and brass samples I got awhile back. I'm using VSL's Performance Tool on a few of the VSL tracks, but not all of them, and I don't know how that effects CPU performance.
I was really hoping to squeeze 30 VI tracks into the sequence, because I still need to add a trumpet section, with all their articulations. Therefore, I'm going to try tweaking some settings to get a few more tracks in.
So, my question is, given my set-up, what's a reasonable number of EXS24 instances? Should I plan on limiting my arrangements to around 20 instances of EXS24, or have most of you tweaked your systems to the point where you can usually get more than that?
Thanks!
Kevin
P.S., can RAM usage effect the CPU in anyway so as to produce a CPU overload? When looking at my System Performance monitor, I can't see a CPU spike right before I get the errors, but I have noticed that the Activity Monitor program tells me that I only have 13.4 MB left out of my 1GB of RAM.
P.P.S. -- Also, I should mention that none of my tracks have effects plug-ins yet, except for the Gain plug-in on the M-Audio tracks, since their samples are so much softer than VSL's.

Answer 1

I was reading your thread and wanted to know what you
thought about the different VSL inst that are out
there to buy. I see that you have a little of
everything. Is there a pack that works best?
So far I'm really enjoying the Opus 1 & 2 collection! Even though the Opus libraries are supposed to be an "entry level" library of sorts, it's amazing how realistic-sounding you can get your arrangements. I'm definitely going to save up and get the full-blown library in time, but for now I'm really happy with Opus 1 & 2.
The thing I like about them is the amount of variety you get for the price. For example, for a little over $1000 you could buy just one section of the big library, like Brass I, but for the same amount of money, you can buy both Opus 1 & 2, and have a decent collection of brass instruments with the main articulations you need, like sustain, staccato, sfz, flutter, etc., plus you get the same thing with violin sections, viola sections, etc., as well as a lot of solo instruments.
It's a really nice collection. Of course, paying $1000 for just a brass library is going to give you a ton of brass sounds that you don't get with the Opus collection, but for an affordable library with a lot of really usable sounds that you need for stuff like television scoring, and whatnot, it's great.