Soundcard

[Manolo Camp]

Hello there

I'm using an old RME 96/8 PST and only the analog I/O for my lil'setup. When it comes to mixing (PlugIn Intense) the sound starts to crackle like on high CPU Load. This already at 512 buffer. @ 1024 it is better with a CPU Load of lets say 80%. But as i like to play the VSTis while mixing/premastering i prefer at least 256 buffer.
No chance to mix on 2048 buffer .. some SFX/Sounds specially Delay etc. are out of sync.
My Studio-PC is only used for music. Intel Quad Q6600 with 2GB RAM DDR-II on a Gygabyte EP35-DS3.

Do i need a more actuall Soundcard? I'm thinking about getting an actual RME again because i never had problems with them.
Cool would be one build-in MIC-Preamp.

What do you guys propose? Will the glitches stop with a new soundcard?

Thanks Manolo

[Animus]

Hard to say without seeing your system in person. Could be anything. I know I used to have that same card ages ago and had no problems I remember. I am using RME Multifaces right now. I suggest you look at Lynx. They have the best low latency drivers from what I have heard.

[TerryG]

I have an RME 96/8 PST as well, but I'm using it in my older machine that doesn't get heavily burdened anymore. I'll see about moving it into my new box to share a space next to my HDSP for some tests...
But, I have a suspicion that the older series of Digi cards and drivers have a limitation which you are experiencing, which is why the HDSP was developed and why Digi series drivers haven't been upgraded beyond 2005.

[Manolo Camp]

That's what i thought Terry. Dont ruin your system with sharing the cards! (Drivers and such) But the result would for sure interest me.
Lynx seems like the best alternative to RME. Just a fine small solution as the heart of my system.

[John Lance]

Try this also:
http://www.thesycon.de/eng/free_download.shtml

DPC Latency Checker.
I had moderate Deferred Procedure Calls latency issues on my Gigabyte motherboard. it didn't interfere with mixes at high latency, but it did interfere with achieving a low latency record/play mode. A BIOS download and install took care of the this particular problem on my Q6600 machine. Apparently some of the Gigabyte motherboards have issues here.

Download this and run it, reading and following the instructions given in the PDF at the website.

If your machine is well within specs for running "real time" audio processes, then your issue is likely elsewhere (not DPC problems).

Also, some plugins can cause some pretty serious latency issues. Nuendo still lists reported latencies in the plugin panel (Devices, Plugin Information) and those plugs with high latencies should be disabled during VSTi instrument playing or programming.

If you have done something to cause a plugin's latency to be changed (some plugins from Voxengo allow this, and I am sure others do also), you should rescan the plugins to get accurate information.

[Animus]

Hi John!

That's a handy little utility. You should post it up in the Link Exchange. Or one of us will if you don't. :p

[Manolo Camp]

John you're da man!

Have a look on this Screen.

The Red is before, then i deactivated the CD-Rom (SATA)
I allready think this is a sucess! Cant wait to check it tomorrow evening!

THanks a load guys! Lets see how my old RME-Lady does without CD-ROM :)

[TAFKAT]

Hey Manolo,

I can't say I have ever seen a DVDR cause DPC latency issues, that is quite bizarre..

Whats the actual device , I can't quite make out what it is.

Also, is it connected to the native SATA, or a 3rd party controller on the motherboard ?

[Animus]

Try enabling the dvd player again and just disabling Autoplay for the device. Autoplay will wreak havoc in my experience, especially with anything UAD involved. And don't listen to Vin, he don't know much about all this computer DAW stuff. :p

[TerryG]

That's great news!

This little tool deserves some fame.

[John Lance]

There may be a driver update from the drive manufacturer that will resolve the issue.

There may also firmware updates available from the drive manufacturer that may need to be installed to the drive itself.

You may need to let the drive manufacturer know of the issue if they don't have a fix available, or find another drive.

Plextor used to be pretty good about this stuff.

[John Lance]

That's great news!

This little tool deserves some fame.

It is famous already. It is just that it doesn't get put into sticky's in forums like this, to make it even more well known.

I did post it as Animus suggested however.

[John Lance]

Autoplay will wreak havoc in my experience

I hate that anyone even came up with autoplay.

I have autoplay completely disabled on my machines.

It is awful that the folks this was invented for cannot insert a DVD, CD, or a USB drive, and then start up a program to access it.

Convenience to a horrid fault.

Oops. :eek: I sure hope I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes. :D

[TAFKAT]

Try enabling the dvd player again and just disabling Autoplay for the device.


Interesting catch with the Autoplay.., if in fact that is the cause of the spikes in this case.

That has slipped thru the cracks with me, as disabling autoplay on media drives is something that I always do when first optimizing the O.S. , and not only for DAW's..

We do learn something every day, even those omniscient like yourself.. ;-)

[Animus]

I was just busting your balls Vin, the way you like it. We all know you are the man with DAWs! :) I forget about autoplay too.

[TAFKAT]

I was just busting your balls Vin, the way you like it. We all know you are the man with DAWs! :) I forget about autoplay too.

Hey Stacy, notice the smiley.. I knew you were kidding.., Biatch :-)

Don't go all diagonalistic on me too, its the last thing I need right now...LOL

[D]

Looks like a Samsung drive. Samsung DVD drives are total crap.

[Manolo Camp]

Dunno .. it's some OEM Drive .. i mean, what the heck, it does read my installationdiscs! It's on onboard SATA-Channel. That's all i know.
I disabled autorun in registry and reactivated the DVD-Rom. Seems fine now. No spikes and stuff.
Thanks again! I still have to check if my RME does better now on mucho Plugos.

btw TAFKAT, have you mixed or recorded The BeachBoys in your early years?! Or was that ... heck, cant remember the nick .. *g

[D]

Dunno .. it's some OEM Drive ..

Tsstcorp drives are made by Samsung. Get with the program.

[Manolo Camp]

Ok! I pushed the Lady from 1024 back to 512 buffer. The crackles ans Spikes are gone!

Thanks again lads!