diff --git a/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.cpp b/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.cpp
index cd80650638..3535a00573 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.cpp
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@
 
 #include "MetavoxelServer.h"
 
-const int SEND_INTERVAL = 50;
-
 MetavoxelServer::MetavoxelServer(const QByteArray& packet) :
     ThreadedAssignment(packet),
     _nextSender(0) {
@@ -48,8 +46,8 @@ void MetavoxelServer::run() {
     NodeList* nodeList = NodeList::getInstance();
     nodeList->addNodeTypeToInterestSet(NodeType::Agent);
     
-    connect(nodeList, SIGNAL(nodeAdded(SharedNodePointer)), SLOT(maybeAttachSession(const SharedNodePointer&)));
-    connect(nodeList, SIGNAL(nodeKilled(SharedNodePointer)), SLOT(maybeDeleteSession(const SharedNodePointer&)));
+    connect(nodeList, &NodeList::nodeAdded, this, &MetavoxelServer::maybeAttachSession);
+    connect(nodeList, &NodeList::nodeKilled, this, &MetavoxelServer::maybeDeleteSession);
     
     // initialize Bitstream before using it in multiple threads
     Bitstream::preThreadingInit();
@@ -65,7 +63,7 @@ void MetavoxelServer::run() {
         QThread* thread = new QThread(this);
         MetavoxelSender* sender = new MetavoxelSender(this);
         sender->moveToThread(thread);
-        sender->connect(thread, SIGNAL(finished()), SLOT(deleteLater()));
+        connect(thread, &QThread::finished, sender, &QObject::deleteLater);
         thread->start();
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(sender, "start");
         _senders.append(sender);
@@ -75,7 +73,7 @@ void MetavoxelServer::run() {
     _persister = new MetavoxelPersister(this);
     QThread* persistenceThread = new QThread(this);
     _persister->moveToThread(persistenceThread);
-    _persister->connect(persistenceThread, SIGNAL(finished()), SLOT(deleteLater()));
+    connect(persistenceThread, &QThread::finished, _persister, &QObject::deleteLater);
     persistenceThread->start();
     
     // queue up the load
@@ -121,15 +119,16 @@ void MetavoxelServer::maybeAttachSession(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
         _nextSender = (_nextSender + 1) % _senders.size();
         MetavoxelSession* session = new MetavoxelSession(node, sender);
         session->moveToThread(sender->thread());
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(sender, "addSession", Q_ARG(QObject*, session));
         node->setLinkedData(session);
     }
 }
 
 void MetavoxelServer::maybeDeleteSession(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
     if (node->getType() == NodeType::Agent) {
-        QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
+        // we assume the node is already locked
         MetavoxelSession* session = static_cast<MetavoxelSession*>(node->getLinkedData());
-        if (session) {
+        if (session) {    
             node->setLinkedData(NULL);
             session->deleteLater();
         }
@@ -141,26 +140,27 @@ MetavoxelSender::MetavoxelSender(MetavoxelServer* server) :
     _sendTimer(this) {
     
     _sendTimer.setSingleShot(true);
-    connect(&_sendTimer, SIGNAL(timeout()), SLOT(sendDeltas()));
+    connect(&_sendTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &MetavoxelSender::sendDeltas);
     
     connect(_server, &MetavoxelServer::dataChanged, this, &MetavoxelSender::setData);
 }
 
+const int SEND_INTERVAL = 50;
+
 void MetavoxelSender::start() {
     _lastSend = QDateTime::currentMSecsSinceEpoch();
     _sendTimer.start(SEND_INTERVAL);
 }
 
+void MetavoxelSender::addSession(QObject* session) {
+    _sessions.insert(static_cast<MetavoxelSession*>(session));
+    connect(session, &QObject::destroyed, this, &MetavoxelSender::removeSession);
+}
+
 void MetavoxelSender::sendDeltas() {
     // send deltas for all sessions associated with our thread
-    foreach (const SharedNodePointer& node, NodeList::getInstance()->getNodeHash()) {
-        if (node->getType() == NodeType::Agent) {
-            QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
-            MetavoxelSession* session = static_cast<MetavoxelSession*>(node->getLinkedData());
-            if (session && session->thread() == QThread::currentThread()) {
-                session->update();
-            }
-        }
+    foreach (MetavoxelSession* session, _sessions) {
+        session->update();
     }
     
     // restart the send timer
@@ -171,6 +171,10 @@ void MetavoxelSender::sendDeltas() {
     _sendTimer.start(qMax(0, 2 * SEND_INTERVAL - qMax(elapsed, SEND_INTERVAL)));
 }
 
+void MetavoxelSender::removeSession(QObject* session) {
+    _sessions.remove(static_cast<MetavoxelSession*>(session));
+}
+
 MetavoxelSession::MetavoxelSession(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelSender* sender) :
     Endpoint(node, new PacketRecord(), NULL),
     _sender(sender),
diff --git a/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.h b/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.h
index 45478a4946..6d62884633 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.h
+++ b/assignment-client/src/metavoxels/MetavoxelServer.h
@@ -77,14 +77,18 @@ public:
     
     Q_INVOKABLE void start();
     
+    Q_INVOKABLE void addSession(QObject* session);
+    
 private slots:
     
     void setData(const MetavoxelData& data) { _data = data; }
     void sendDeltas();
+    void removeSession(QObject* session);
     
 private:
     
     MetavoxelServer* _server;
+    QSet<MetavoxelSession*> _sessions;
     
     QTimer _sendTimer;
     qint64 _lastSend;
@@ -99,7 +103,7 @@ class MetavoxelSession : public Endpoint {
 public:
     
     MetavoxelSession(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelSender* sender);
-
+    
     virtual void update();
 
 protected:
diff --git a/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.cpp b/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.cpp
index 2b3528b1b3..685a07e85c 100644
--- a/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 //
 
 #include <QMutexLocker>
+#include <QReadLocker>
+#include <QWriteLocker>
 #include <QtDebug>
 
 #include <glm/gtx/transform.hpp>
@@ -45,11 +47,9 @@ void MetavoxelSystem::init() {
     _pointBufferAttribute = AttributeRegistry::getInstance()->registerAttribute(new PointBufferAttribute());
 }
 
-MetavoxelLOD MetavoxelSystem::getLOD() const {
-    // the LOD threshold is temporarily tied to the avatar LOD parameter
-    const float BASE_LOD_THRESHOLD = 0.01f;
-    return MetavoxelLOD(Application::getInstance()->getCamera()->getPosition(),
-        BASE_LOD_THRESHOLD * Menu::getInstance()->getAvatarLODDistanceMultiplier());
+MetavoxelLOD MetavoxelSystem::getLOD() {
+    QReadLocker locker(&_lodLock);
+    return _lod;
 }
 
 class SpannerSimulateVisitor : public SpannerVisitor {
@@ -77,9 +77,15 @@ bool SpannerSimulateVisitor::visit(Spanner* spanner, const glm::vec3& clipMinimu
 }
 
 void MetavoxelSystem::simulate(float deltaTime) {
-    // update the clients
-    update();
-    
+    // update the lod
+    {
+        // the LOD threshold is temporarily tied to the avatar LOD parameter
+        QWriteLocker locker(&_lodLock);
+        const float BASE_LOD_THRESHOLD = 0.01f;
+        _lod = MetavoxelLOD(Application::getInstance()->getCamera()->getPosition(),
+            BASE_LOD_THRESHOLD * Menu::getInstance()->getAvatarLODDistanceMultiplier());
+    }
+
     SpannerSimulateVisitor spannerSimulateVisitor(deltaTime);
     guide(spannerSimulateVisitor);
 }
@@ -183,16 +189,20 @@ void MetavoxelSystem::render() {
     guide(spannerRenderVisitor);
 }
 
+void MetavoxelSystem::setClientPoints(const SharedNodePointer& node, const BufferPointVector& points) {
+    QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
+    MetavoxelSystemClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelSystemClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
+    if (client) {
+        client->setPoints(points);
+    }
+}
+
 MetavoxelClient* MetavoxelSystem::createClient(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
-    return new MetavoxelSystemClient(node, this);
+    return new MetavoxelSystemClient(node, _updater);
 }
 
-void MetavoxelSystem::updateClient(MetavoxelClient* client) {
-    MetavoxelClientManager::updateClient(client);
-}
-
-MetavoxelSystemClient::MetavoxelSystemClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelSystem* system) :
-    MetavoxelClient(node, system),
+MetavoxelSystemClient::MetavoxelSystemClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelUpdater* updater) :
+    MetavoxelClient(node, updater),
     _pointCount(0) {
     
     _buffer.setUsagePattern(QOpenGLBuffer::StaticDraw);
@@ -385,11 +395,14 @@ void PointBufferBuilder::run() {
     qint64 now = QDateTime::currentMSecsSinceEpoch();
     PointCollector collector(_lod);
     _data.guide(collector);
-    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(node->getLinkedData(), "setPoints", Q_ARG(const BufferPointVector&, collector.points));
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(Application::getInstance()->getMetavoxels(), "setClientPoints",
+        Q_ARG(const SharedNodePointer&, node), Q_ARG(const BufferPointVector&, collector.points));
     qDebug() << "collect" << (QDateTime::currentMSecsSinceEpoch() - now);
 }
 
 void MetavoxelSystemClient::dataChanged(const MetavoxelData& oldData) {
+    MetavoxelClient::dataChanged(oldData);
+    
     /* BufferBuilder builder(_remoteDataLOD);
     const AttributePointer& pointBufferAttribute = Application::getInstance()->getMetavoxels()->getPointBufferAttribute();
     MetavoxelNode* oldRoot = oldData.getRoot(pointBufferAttribute);
@@ -500,7 +513,7 @@ void SphereRenderer::render(float alpha, Mode mode, const glm::vec3& clipMinimum
         return;
     }
     // slight performance optimization: don't render if clip bounds are entirely within sphere
-    Sphere* sphere = static_cast<Sphere*>(parent());
+    Sphere* sphere = static_cast<Sphere*>(_spanner);
     Box clipBox(clipMinimum, clipMinimum + glm::vec3(clipSize, clipSize, clipSize));
     for (int i = 0; i < Box::VERTEX_COUNT; i++) {
         const float CLIP_PROPORTION = 0.95f;
@@ -512,7 +525,7 @@ void SphereRenderer::render(float alpha, Mode mode, const glm::vec3& clipMinimum
 }
 
 void SphereRenderer::renderUnclipped(float alpha, Mode mode) {
-    Sphere* sphere = static_cast<Sphere*>(parent());
+    Sphere* sphere = static_cast<Sphere*>(_spanner);
     const QColor& color = sphere->getColor();
     glColor4f(color.redF(), color.greenF(), color.blueF(), color.alphaF() * alpha);
     
@@ -533,6 +546,8 @@ StaticModelRenderer::StaticModelRenderer() :
 }
 
 void StaticModelRenderer::init(Spanner* spanner) {
+    SpannerRenderer::init(spanner);
+
     _model->init();
     
     StaticModel* staticModel = static_cast<StaticModel*>(spanner);
@@ -554,7 +569,7 @@ void StaticModelRenderer::simulate(float deltaTime) {
         const Extents& extents = _model->getGeometry()->getFBXGeometry().meshExtents;
         bounds = Box(extents.minimum, extents.maximum);
     }
-    static_cast<StaticModel*>(parent())->setBounds(glm::translate(_model->getTranslation()) *
+    static_cast<StaticModel*>(_spanner)->setBounds(glm::translate(_model->getTranslation()) *
         glm::mat4_cast(_model->getRotation()) * glm::scale(_model->getScale()) * bounds);
     _model->simulate(deltaTime);
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.h b/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.h
index afbfd9444f..71bc9dc231 100644
--- a/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.h
+++ b/interface/src/MetavoxelSystem.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 #include <QList>
 #include <QOpenGLBuffer>
+#include <QReadWriteLock>
 #include <QVector>
 
 #include <glm/glm.hpp>
@@ -22,8 +23,12 @@
 
 #include "renderer/ProgramObject.h"
 
+class BufferPoint;
 class Model;
 
+typedef QVector<BufferPoint> BufferPointVector;
+typedef QPair<BufferPointVector, BufferPointVector> BufferPointVectorPair;
+
 /// Renders a metavoxel tree.
 class MetavoxelSystem : public MetavoxelClientManager {
     Q_OBJECT
@@ -34,15 +39,16 @@ public:
 
     virtual void init();
 
-    virtual MetavoxelLOD getLOD() const;
+    virtual MetavoxelLOD getLOD();
     
     void simulate(float deltaTime);
     void render();
 
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setClientPoints(const SharedNodePointer& node, const BufferPointVector& points);
+
 protected:
 
     virtual MetavoxelClient* createClient(const SharedNodePointer& node);
-    virtual void updateClient(MetavoxelClient* client); 
 
 private:
     
@@ -50,6 +56,9 @@ private:
     static int _pointScaleLocation;
     
     AttributePointer _pointBufferAttribute;
+    
+    MetavoxelLOD _lod;
+    QReadWriteLock _lodLock;
 };
 
 /// Describes contents of a point in a point buffer.
@@ -60,9 +69,6 @@ public:
     quint8 normal[3];
 };
 
-typedef QVector<BufferPoint> BufferPointVector;
-typedef QPair<BufferPointVector, BufferPointVector> BufferPointVectorPair;
-
 Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(BufferPointVector)
 
 /// A client session associated with a single server.
@@ -71,11 +77,11 @@ class MetavoxelSystemClient : public MetavoxelClient {
     
 public:
     
-    MetavoxelSystemClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelSystem* system);
+    MetavoxelSystemClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelUpdater* updater);
     
     void render();
 
-    Q_INVOKABLE void setPoints(const BufferPointVector& points);
+    void setPoints(const BufferPointVector& points);
     
     virtual int parseData(const QByteArray& packet);
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/Stats.cpp b/interface/src/ui/Stats.cpp
index f82bc7ba17..728ed04e31 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/Stats.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/Stats.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,13 @@ Stats::Stats():
         _pingStatsWidth(STATS_PING_MIN_WIDTH),
         _geoStatsWidth(STATS_GEO_MIN_WIDTH),
         _voxelStatsWidth(STATS_VOXEL_MIN_WIDTH),
-        _lastHorizontalOffset(0)
+        _lastHorizontalOffset(0),
+        _metavoxelInternal(0),
+        _metavoxelLeaves(0),
+        _metavoxelSendProgress(0),
+        _metavoxelSendTotal(0),
+        _metavoxelReceiveProgress(0),
+        _metavoxelReceiveTotal(0)
 {
     QGLWidget* glWidget = Application::getInstance()->getGLWidget();
     resetWidth(glWidget->width(), 0);
@@ -487,36 +493,26 @@ void Stats::display(
         verticalOffset += STATS_PELS_PER_LINE;
         drawText(horizontalOffset, verticalOffset, scale, rotation, font, downloads.str().c_str(), color);
         
-        int internal = 0, leaves = 0;
-        int sendProgress = 0, sendTotal = 0;
-        int receiveProgress = 0, receiveTotal = 0;
-        foreach (const SharedNodePointer& node, NodeList::getInstance()->getNodeHash()) {
-            if (node->getType() == NodeType::MetavoxelServer) {
-                QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
-                MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelSystemClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
-                if (client) {
-                    client->getData().countNodes(internal, leaves, Application::getInstance()->getMetavoxels()->getLOD());
-                    client->getSequencer().addReliableChannelStats(sendProgress, sendTotal, receiveProgress, receiveTotal);
-                }
-            }
-        }
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(Application::getInstance()->getMetavoxels()->getUpdater(), "getStats",
+            Q_ARG(QObject*, this), Q_ARG(const QByteArray&, "setMetavoxelStats"));
+        
         stringstream nodes;
-        nodes << "Metavoxels: " << (internal + leaves);
+        nodes << "Metavoxels: " << (_metavoxelInternal + _metavoxelLeaves);
         verticalOffset += STATS_PELS_PER_LINE;
         drawText(horizontalOffset, verticalOffset, scale, rotation, font, nodes.str().c_str(), color);
         
         stringstream nodeTypes;
-        nodeTypes << "Internal: " << internal << "  Leaves: " << leaves;
+        nodeTypes << "Internal: " << _metavoxelInternal << "  Leaves: " << _metavoxelLeaves;
         verticalOffset += STATS_PELS_PER_LINE;
         drawText(horizontalOffset, verticalOffset, scale, rotation, font, nodeTypes.str().c_str(), color);
         
-        if (sendTotal > 0 || receiveTotal > 0) {
+        if (_metavoxelSendTotal > 0 || _metavoxelReceiveTotal > 0) {
             stringstream reliableStats;
-            if (sendTotal > 0) {
-                reliableStats << "Upload: " << (sendProgress * 100 / sendTotal) << "%  ";
+            if (_metavoxelSendTotal > 0) {
+                reliableStats << "Upload: " << (_metavoxelSendProgress * 100 / _metavoxelSendTotal) << "%  ";
             }
-            if (receiveTotal > 0) {
-                reliableStats << "Download: " << (receiveProgress * 100 / receiveTotal) << "%";
+            if (_metavoxelReceiveTotal > 0) {
+                reliableStats << "Download: " << (_metavoxelReceiveProgress * 100 / _metavoxelReceiveTotal) << "%";
             }
             verticalOffset += STATS_PELS_PER_LINE;
             drawText(horizontalOffset, verticalOffset, scale, rotation, font, reliableStats.str().c_str(), color);
@@ -849,3 +845,13 @@ void Stats::display(
     
 
 }
+
+void Stats::setMetavoxelStats(int internal, int leaves, int sendProgress,
+        int sendTotal, int receiveProgress, int receiveTotal) {
+    _metavoxelInternal = internal;
+    _metavoxelLeaves = leaves;
+    _metavoxelSendProgress = sendProgress;
+    _metavoxelSendTotal = sendTotal;
+    _metavoxelReceiveProgress = receiveProgress;
+    _metavoxelReceiveTotal = receiveTotal;
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/Stats.h b/interface/src/ui/Stats.h
index 66d6ec99f0..5a38b5ed9f 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/Stats.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/Stats.h
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ public:
     void resetWidth(int width, int horizontalOffset);
     void display(const float* color, int horizontalOffset, float fps, int packetsPerSecond, int bytesPerSecond, int voxelPacketsToProcess);
     bool includeTimingRecord(const QString& name);
+    
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setMetavoxelStats(int internal, int leaves, int sendProgress,
+        int sendTotal, int receiveProgress, int receiveTotal);
+    
 private:
     static Stats* _sharedInstance;
 
@@ -45,6 +49,13 @@ private:
     int _voxelStatsWidth;
 
     int _lastHorizontalOffset;
+    
+    int _metavoxelInternal;
+    int _metavoxelLeaves;
+    int _metavoxelSendProgress;
+    int _metavoxelSendTotal;
+    int _metavoxelReceiveProgress;
+    int _metavoxelReceiveTotal;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_Stats_h
diff --git a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.cpp b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.cpp
index af97551ade..a2d3410314 100644
--- a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.cpp
+++ b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.cpp
@@ -9,26 +9,31 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include <QDateTime>
+#include <QReadLocker>
 #include <QThread>
+#include <QWriteLocker>
 
 #include "MetavoxelClientManager.h"
 #include "MetavoxelMessages.h"
 
-void MetavoxelClientManager::init() {
-    connect(NodeList::getInstance(), SIGNAL(nodeAdded(SharedNodePointer)), SLOT(maybeAttachClient(const SharedNodePointer&)));
-    connect(NodeList::getInstance(), SIGNAL(nodeKilled(SharedNodePointer)), SLOT(maybeDeleteClient(const SharedNodePointer&)));
+MetavoxelClientManager::MetavoxelClientManager() :
+        _updater(new MetavoxelUpdater(this)) {
+    QThread* thread = new QThread(this);
+    _updater->moveToThread(thread);
+    connect(thread, &QThread::finished, _updater, &QObject::deleteLater);
+    thread->start();
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(_updater, "start");
 }
 
-void MetavoxelClientManager::update() {
-    foreach (const SharedNodePointer& node, NodeList::getInstance()->getNodeHash()) {
-        if (node->getType() == NodeType::MetavoxelServer) {
-            QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
-            MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
-            if (client) {
-                updateClient(client);
-            }
-        }
-    }
+MetavoxelClientManager::~MetavoxelClientManager() {
+    _updater->thread()->quit();
+    _updater->thread()->wait();
+}
+
+void MetavoxelClientManager::init() {
+    connect(NodeList::getInstance(), &NodeList::nodeAdded, this, &MetavoxelClientManager::maybeAttachClient);
+    connect(NodeList::getInstance(), &NodeList::nodeKilled, this, &MetavoxelClientManager::maybeDeleteClient);
 }
 
 SharedObjectPointer MetavoxelClientManager::findFirstRaySpannerIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin,
@@ -41,7 +46,7 @@ SharedObjectPointer MetavoxelClientManager::findFirstRaySpannerIntersection(cons
             MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
             if (client) {
                 float clientDistance;
-                SharedObjectPointer clientSpanner = client->getData().findFirstRaySpannerIntersection(
+                SharedObjectPointer clientSpanner = client->getDataCopy().findFirstRaySpannerIntersection(
                     origin, direction, attribute, clientDistance);
                 if (clientSpanner && clientDistance < closestDistance) {
                     closestSpanner = clientSpanner;
@@ -70,35 +75,26 @@ void MetavoxelClientManager::setSpanner(const SharedObjectPointer& object, bool
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClientManager::applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable) {
-    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
-        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "applyEdit", Q_ARG(const MetavoxelEditMessage&, edit), Q_ARG(bool, reliable));
-        return;
-    }
-    foreach (const SharedNodePointer& node, NodeList::getInstance()->getNodeHash()) {
-        if (node->getType() == NodeType::MetavoxelServer) {
-            QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
-            MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
-            if (client) {
-                client->applyEdit(edit, reliable);
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(_updater, "applyEdit", Q_ARG(const MetavoxelEditMessage&, edit), Q_ARG(bool, reliable));
 }
 
-MetavoxelLOD MetavoxelClientManager::getLOD() const {
+MetavoxelLOD MetavoxelClientManager::getLOD() {
     return MetavoxelLOD();
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClientManager::maybeAttachClient(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
     if (node->getType() == NodeType::MetavoxelServer) {
         QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
-        node->setLinkedData(createClient(node));
+        MetavoxelClient* client = createClient(node);
+        client->moveToThread(_updater->thread());
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(_updater, "addClient", Q_ARG(QObject*, client));
+        node->setLinkedData(client);
     }
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClientManager::maybeDeleteClient(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
     if (node->getType() == NodeType::MetavoxelServer) {
-        QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
+        // we assume the node is already locked
         MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
         if (client) {
             node->setLinkedData(NULL);
@@ -108,11 +104,7 @@ void MetavoxelClientManager::maybeDeleteClient(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
 }
 
 MetavoxelClient* MetavoxelClientManager::createClient(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
-    return new MetavoxelClient(node, this);
-}
-
-void MetavoxelClientManager::updateClient(MetavoxelClient* client) {
-    client->update();
+    return new MetavoxelClient(node, _updater);
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClientManager::guide(MetavoxelVisitor& visitor) {
@@ -121,15 +113,75 @@ void MetavoxelClientManager::guide(MetavoxelVisitor& visitor) {
             QMutexLocker locker(&node->getMutex());
             MetavoxelClient* client = static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(node->getLinkedData());
             if (client) {
-                client->guide(visitor);
+                client->getDataCopy().guide(visitor);
             }
         }
     }
 }
 
-MetavoxelClient::MetavoxelClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelClientManager* manager) :
+MetavoxelUpdater::MetavoxelUpdater(MetavoxelClientManager* clientManager) :
+    _clientManager(clientManager),
+    _sendTimer(this) {
+    
+    _sendTimer.setSingleShot(true);
+    connect(&_sendTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &MetavoxelUpdater::sendUpdates);
+}
+
+const int SEND_INTERVAL = 33;
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::start() {
+    _lastSend = QDateTime::currentMSecsSinceEpoch();
+    _sendTimer.start(SEND_INTERVAL);
+}
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::addClient(QObject* client) {
+    _clients.insert(static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(client));
+    connect(client, &QObject::destroyed, this, &MetavoxelUpdater::removeClient);
+}
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable) {
+    // apply to all clients
+    foreach (MetavoxelClient* client, _clients) {
+        client->applyEdit(edit, reliable);
+    }
+}
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::getStats(QObject* receiver, const QByteArray& method) {
+    int internal = 0, leaves = 0;
+    int sendProgress = 0, sendTotal = 0;
+    int receiveProgress = 0, receiveTotal = 0;    
+    foreach (MetavoxelClient* client, _clients) {
+        client->getData().countNodes(internal, leaves, _lod);
+        client->getSequencer().addReliableChannelStats(sendProgress, sendTotal, receiveProgress, receiveTotal);
+    }
+    QMetaObject::invokeMethod(receiver, method.constData(), Q_ARG(int, internal), Q_ARG(int, leaves), Q_ARG(int, sendProgress),
+        Q_ARG(int, sendTotal), Q_ARG(int, receiveProgress), Q_ARG(int, receiveTotal));
+}
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::sendUpdates() {
+    // get the latest LOD from the client manager
+    _lod = _clientManager->getLOD();
+
+    // send updates for all clients
+    foreach (MetavoxelClient* client, _clients) {
+        client->update();
+    }
+    
+    // restart the send timer
+    qint64 now = QDateTime::currentMSecsSinceEpoch();
+    int elapsed = now - _lastSend;
+    _lastSend = now;
+    
+    _sendTimer.start(qMax(0, 2 * SEND_INTERVAL - qMax(elapsed, SEND_INTERVAL)));
+}
+
+void MetavoxelUpdater::removeClient(QObject* client) {
+    _clients.remove(static_cast<MetavoxelClient*>(client));
+}
+
+MetavoxelClient::MetavoxelClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelUpdater* updater) :
     Endpoint(node, new PacketRecord(), new PacketRecord()),
-    _manager(manager),
+    _updater(updater),
     _reliableDeltaChannel(NULL),
     _reliableDeltaID(0) {
     
@@ -137,9 +189,9 @@ MetavoxelClient::MetavoxelClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelClientM
         SIGNAL(receivedMessage(const QVariant&, Bitstream&)), SLOT(handleMessage(const QVariant&, Bitstream&)));
 }
 
-void MetavoxelClient::guide(MetavoxelVisitor& visitor) {
-    visitor.setLOD(_manager->getLOD());
-    _data.guide(visitor);
+MetavoxelData MetavoxelClient::getDataCopy() {
+    QReadLocker locker(&_dataCopyLock);
+    return _dataCopy;
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClient::applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable) {
@@ -160,11 +212,13 @@ void MetavoxelClient::applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable)
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClient::dataChanged(const MetavoxelData& oldData) {
-    // nothing by default
+    // make thread-safe copy
+    QWriteLocker locker(&_dataCopyLock);
+    _dataCopy = _data;
 }
 
 void MetavoxelClient::writeUpdateMessage(Bitstream& out) {
-    ClientStateMessage state = { _manager->getLOD() };
+    ClientStateMessage state = { _updater->getLOD() };
     out << QVariant::fromValue(state);
 }
 
@@ -212,7 +266,7 @@ void MetavoxelClient::handleMessage(const QVariant& message, Bitstream& in) {
 }
 
 PacketRecord* MetavoxelClient::maybeCreateSendRecord() const {
-    return new PacketRecord(_reliableDeltaChannel ? _reliableDeltaLOD : _manager->getLOD());
+    return new PacketRecord(_reliableDeltaChannel ? _reliableDeltaLOD : _updater->getLOD());
 }
 
 PacketRecord* MetavoxelClient::maybeCreateReceiveRecord() const {
diff --git a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.h b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.h
index a915ba9c3c..333b709b9e 100644
--- a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.h
+++ b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelClientManager.h
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@
 #ifndef hifi_MetavoxelClientManager_h
 #define hifi_MetavoxelClientManager_h
 
+#include <QReadWriteLock>
+#include <QTimer>
+
 #include "Endpoint.h"
 
 class MetavoxelClient;
 class MetavoxelEditMessage;
+class MetavoxelUpdater;
 
 /// Manages the set of connected metavoxel clients.
 class MetavoxelClientManager : public QObject {
@@ -23,8 +27,12 @@ class MetavoxelClientManager : public QObject {
 
 public:
 
+    MetavoxelClientManager();
+    virtual ~MetavoxelClientManager();
+
     virtual void init();
-    void update();
+
+    MetavoxelUpdater* getUpdater() const { return _updater; }
 
     SharedObjectPointer findFirstRaySpannerIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction,
         const AttributePointer& attribute, float& distance);
@@ -35,7 +43,8 @@ public:
         
     Q_INVOKABLE void applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable = false);
 
-    virtual MetavoxelLOD getLOD() const;
+    /// Returns the current LOD.  This must be thread-safe, as it will be called from the updater thread.
+    virtual MetavoxelLOD getLOD();
     
 private slots:
 
@@ -45,9 +54,46 @@ private slots:
 protected:
     
     virtual MetavoxelClient* createClient(const SharedNodePointer& node);
-    virtual void updateClient(MetavoxelClient* client);
     
     void guide(MetavoxelVisitor& visitor);
+    
+    MetavoxelUpdater* _updater;
+};
+
+/// Handles updates in a dedicated thread.
+class MetavoxelUpdater : public QObject {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+    
+    MetavoxelUpdater(MetavoxelClientManager* clientManager);
+    
+    const MetavoxelLOD& getLOD() const { return _lod; }
+    
+    Q_INVOKABLE void start();
+    
+    Q_INVOKABLE void addClient(QObject* client);
+    
+    Q_INVOKABLE void applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable);
+    
+    /// Requests a set of statistics.  The receiving method should take six integer arguments: internal node count, leaf count,
+    /// send progress, send total, receive progress, receive total.
+    Q_INVOKABLE void getStats(QObject* receiver, const QByteArray& method);
+    
+private slots:
+    
+    void sendUpdates();    
+    void removeClient(QObject* client);
+    
+private:
+    
+    MetavoxelClientManager* _clientManager;
+    QSet<MetavoxelClient*> _clients;
+    
+    QTimer _sendTimer;
+    qint64 _lastSend;
+    
+    MetavoxelLOD _lod;
 };
 
 /// Base class for metavoxel clients.
@@ -56,12 +102,14 @@ class MetavoxelClient : public Endpoint {
 
 public:
     
-    MetavoxelClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelClientManager* manager);
+    MetavoxelClient(const SharedNodePointer& node, MetavoxelUpdater* updater);
 
-    MetavoxelData& getData() { return _data; }
+    /// Returns a reference to the most recent data.  This function is *not* thread-safe.
+    const MetavoxelData& getData() const { return _data; }
+
+    /// Returns a copy of the most recent data.  This function *is* thread-safe.
+    MetavoxelData getDataCopy();
 
-    void guide(MetavoxelVisitor& visitor);
-    
     void applyEdit(const MetavoxelEditMessage& edit, bool reliable = false);
 
 protected:
@@ -74,7 +122,7 @@ protected:
     virtual PacketRecord* maybeCreateSendRecord() const;
     virtual PacketRecord* maybeCreateReceiveRecord() const;
 
-    MetavoxelClientManager* _manager;
+    MetavoxelUpdater* _updater;
     MetavoxelData _data;
     MetavoxelData _remoteData;
     MetavoxelLOD _remoteDataLOD;
@@ -82,6 +130,9 @@ protected:
     ReliableChannel* _reliableDeltaChannel;
     MetavoxelLOD _reliableDeltaLOD;
     int _reliableDeltaID;
+    
+    MetavoxelData _dataCopy;
+    QReadWriteLock _dataCopyLock;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_MetavoxelClientManager_h
diff --git a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.cpp b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.cpp
index 0f8773a896..400ae6bfdd 100644
--- a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.cpp
+++ b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.cpp
@@ -1899,7 +1899,7 @@ SpannerRenderer* Spanner::getRenderer() {
             metaObject = &SpannerRenderer::staticMetaObject;
         }
         _renderer = static_cast<SpannerRenderer*>(metaObject->newInstance());
-        _renderer->setParent(this);
+        connect(this, &QObject::destroyed, _renderer, &QObject::deleteLater);
         _renderer->init(this);
     }
     return _renderer;
@@ -1920,7 +1920,7 @@ SpannerRenderer::SpannerRenderer() {
 }
 
 void SpannerRenderer::init(Spanner* spanner) {
-    // nothing by default
+    _spanner = spanner;
 }
 
 void SpannerRenderer::simulate(float deltaTime) {
diff --git a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.h b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.h
index dfebbe4586..546f31c321 100644
--- a/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.h
+++ b/libraries/metavoxels/src/MetavoxelData.h
@@ -599,6 +599,10 @@ public:
     virtual void render(float alpha, Mode mode, const glm::vec3& clipMinimum, float clipSize);
     virtual bool findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction,
         const glm::vec3& clipMinimum, float clipSize, float& distance) const;
+
+protected:
+    
+    Spanner* _spanner;
 };
 
 /// An object with a 3D transform.