A project I was working on over the weekend has developed an odd issue that I simply cannot trace.

This is the early render when all was (relatively) good :-



http://soundcloud.com/bluffmunkey/id-wip-oldskoooool



Listen particularly to the stabs at the end (I know, cool right )


For some unknown and annoying reason they started sounding like this last night :-


http://www.mediafire.com/?j5tsnajvmi1e30d


Yet if I (individually) render to two layers that make up the stabs to audio and bring them back into the project they sound fine.

I've also notice the same crispy/raspy sound in the clap and single hat loop i'm using in the same project, although they're fine in solo.

DAW is Cubase Studio 4.5.2 and I suspect it's an issue with something within the project although I have no idea what.

An earlier save sounds fine.

So far I have about 55 channels and 8 busses so no real clue where to start looking, and as I said it just started happening for no reason that I can think of.

The long shot i'm hoping for is somebody recognises the sound of the issue and is able to say 'oh yeah I know what that'll be'

I know

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Soundcloud

Last edited by tehlord on Feb-14-2011 at 18:19

As you say this is a long shot, and real needle in haystack thang, so all I can do as a Cubase5 user is recount a couple of similar issues I've had.

Firstly I've noticed the occasional change in sound when turning off master buss dynamics, and then later back on again. Becuase of this I tend not to only use bypass switch rather than actualy turn them on / off.

Secondly freezing or rendering can alter the sound.
This is a particular problem when using certain fx such as the GATE, as the gate does not save properly as a frozen track and just hangs on one particular setting.

Sorry mate, probaly no use at all, but though it may trigger something in your mind.

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asio latency, try to increase to double the value u have now, on MR816 my guess is you need at least 512 samples for a project like this.

it's not crispy, it's distortion ;D

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Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

I generaly run my ASIO at 1024.

Also, nice track mate, catchy.

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I wasn't sure if it was distortion or not. Why would it only effect certain sounds though?

I did increase the buffer to 512 last night although I should have said there's plenty of headroom (shown) on the ASIO meter, CPU meter, channel meter and master output.

I also don't understand why it just started happening at random.

I did have Ozone bypassed on the master (just there for a soundcloud render) so i'll try removing it completely, but again it's been there from the start with no issues up to this point.

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what happens if u solo the track?
what happens if you bypass FX on track and master?
what happens if you drag the track into a new arrangement window?

If u use sends, it can be a reverb clipping
if u use inserts it can be volume clipping.

otherwise save a copy under a different name and reset your mixer
see if it's gone.

___________________
Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie what happens if u solo the track? what happens if you bypass FX on track and master? what happens if you drag the track into a new arrangement window? If u use sends, it can be a reverb clipping if u use inserts it can be volume clipping. otherwise save a copy under a different name and reset your mixer see if it's gone.

All effected channels are fins when solo'd

Reverb is on a send, but other channels that share the same send aren't distorted.

No inserts are used apart from a standard Cubase compressor.

I shall try the other things you suggested when I get home


Ta

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Soundcloud

if fine when solo'ed it's either clipping on a buss, or ASIO load, remember ASIO met does not need to reach 100% to clip, some complex projects can already start to distort even when the meter is barely @ 50% if you're happy with that track u can also export that single track to a full flegded wav, rather than freezing it. will probably solve your problem.

Why are u still on 4.52? would leverage the limited upgrade offer? or are u on AIR/H2O?

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie if fine when solo'ed it's either clipping on a buss, or ASIO load, remember ASIO met does not need to reach 100% to clip, some complex projects can already start to distort even when the meter is barely @ 50% if you're happy with that track u can also export that single track to a full flegded wav, rather than freezing it. will probably solve your problem. Why are u still on 4.52? would leverage the limited upgrade offer? or are u on AIR/H2O?

Ok cool. First thing i'll try is upping the buffer size. If it works I shall slap myself

My 4.5.2 is totally legit and filed firmly under 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. I love it, know it and get results from it!

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Soundcloud

C6 works really well for me, though i never had serious issues with C4 either

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie C6 works really well for me, though i never had serious issues with C4 either

I've built up an excellent selection of plugins that I know and like. Until there's a major workflow overhaul or new feature that appeals I really don't see the point in upgrading. The only thing I really miss is multiple channel export (which would be useful with this problem I have now...... ahhhhhh )

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Turns out I had (W)rite enabled when I was fiddling with some basic soundcloud 'mastering' and therefore had 60.....yes 60!!! channels of automation recorded (not doing anything) but hidden from view!

No wonder my baby was confused.

What a knob!

Cheers for the ideas, chewing the fat helped me look in the right place

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Soundcloud