diff --git a/control/audio.py b/control/audio.py
index d11641a..5defe5e 100644
--- a/control/audio.py
+++ b/control/audio.py
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 CHUNK_SIZE = 1024
 INTERVAL_QUEUE = 0.1
-INTERVAL_STREAM = 0.0001
+INTERVAL_STREAM_FAST = 0.0001
+INTERVAL_STREAM_SLOW = 0.001
 
 
 class PlayEntry:
@@ -96,11 +97,12 @@ class AudioSystem:
             raise e
 
     def fill_streams(self):
-        self.scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_STREAM, 1, self.fill_streams)
+        self.scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_STREAM_FAST if len(self.playing) > 0 else INTERVAL_STREAM_SLOW,
+                             1, self.fill_streams)
         finished_streams = []
         for stream_id, entry in self.playing.items():  # type: uuid.UUID, PlayEntry
             try:
-                if entry.stream.get_write_available() < CHUNK_SIZE:
+                if entry.stream.get_write_available() < (CHUNK_SIZE * 1.5):
                     continue  # not enough space in buffer, wait for next iteration
                 try:
                     data = entry.get_actual_data(CHUNK_SIZE)
diff --git a/tickworker.py b/tickworker.py
index 1659e10..a96d189 100644
--- a/tickworker.py
+++ b/tickworker.py
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ walle.setup()
 
 
 def walle_tick():
-    scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_TICK, 1, walle_tick)
+    scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_TICK, 3, walle_tick)
     walle.tick()
 
 
-scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_TICK, 1, walle_tick)
+scheduler.enter(INTERVAL_TICK, 3, walle_tick)
 
 audio.queue_sound('walle.boot')