|
buffer underruns
|
View this Thread in Original format
| vrahnos |
i have a big problem, i get TOO MANY underruns when i'm working in FL.
when i add more than 6-7 synths i get like 2 underruns per second, so i have to export on every change or mute some other synths to listen the track.
now the question, is it a cpu problem or a soundcard problem? i have a pentium4/3.0ghz, 1gb ram and a audigy 2 snd.
is it a buffer lenght problem? my card's buffer is 16384....
i tried to set the output to "creative asio", i increased the latency to 500ms and the sample rate to 48800 so i got 24000 samples but it still doing underruns!
if its a soundcard problem tell me some soundcards with a big buffer etc...i have in mind the m-audio - audiophile 2496... |
|
|
| djlogik |
| how is that a cpu problem? 3ghz is plenty. I suggest getting yourself the m-audio. It'll DEFINITELY fix your problem. |
|
|
| dj jasonF |
your pc is fine and your soundcard is good enough... you are doing something wrong.
pare msn otan to deis |
|
|
| david.michael |
Figure out what processes/tasks are running in the background while producing.
Assuming you're using Windows XP? Try going to START > RUN and type "MSCONFIG", change to "Selective Startup" and then in the Startup tab, see if all that junk that's starting up is really necessary.
Try disabling spyware programs, antivirus software (temporarily!), and other such items running in your taskbar. Keep turning stuff off until the problem goes away, and then you'll know where it lies.
Also, make sure you have the most recent video and audio drivers for your hardware. |
|
|
| IDarkISwordI |
| Hey. Are you using ASIO drivers because if you arent, I guarentee thats your problem. |
|
|
| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by djlogik
how is that a cpu problem? 3ghz is plenty. I suggest getting yourself the m-audio. It'll DEFINITELY fix your problem. |
:rolleyes:
Don't waste your money on a new sound card, that won't help you at all.
It's a CPU issue. First of all, higher sample rates are not better for buffer underruns - you'll usually want to stick with 44 kHz.
Make sure you're using your sound card's ASIO driver. Raise the latency if you have to. You said your card's "buffer" is 16384 - that implies to me that you are using DirectX for playback, which is absolutely worthless for any serious production.
It's also entirely possible that your PC just can't handle the load. 6-7 synths is not necessarily a lot, but depending on *what* synths, it can be too much. A single instance of Impulse-based reverb, for example, can easily eat up 10% of your CPU. Same with many z3ta+ patches.
Processing power is an important limitation when using soft synths. You may simply have to bounce them to audio and turn them off in order to get uninterrupted playback in the sequencer. |
|
|
| vrahnos |
jason, i cant do something wrong, setting up the audio settings is easy, plus i tried all combinations in the settings, nothing!
david.michael: i'm not running any junk software, or antiviruses, or antispyware, my pc is clean, i'm running specific software, i dont have any visual effects, my pc is configured for maximum power, i've even closed half of the default windows services, and i have the latest drivers, thats not the problem.
IDarkISwordI: i tried asio drivers, kx-drivers, directx with all kind of combinations in the settings, thats not the problem.
DigiNut: directx or asio driver, 44100 or 48800, doesnt make any difference, i still get underruns....z3ta is my favourite synth, thats the one that causes the most underruns! :sadgreen:
if you want to see and listen my drama check these videos (with sound)
with directx driver (hilarious!!!) 1.6mb
with creative's asio driver, 2.2mb
with kx-drivers, 4mb
i guess its a cpu problem eh? |
|
|
| vrahnos |
, could it be because i'm not using patterns?
i'm working on a single window, i dont switch patterns.... |
|
|
| IDarkISwordI |
| quote: | Originally posted by vrahnos
, could it be because i'm not using patterns?
i'm working on a single window, i dont switch patterns.... |
Hey. Actually that would do it too. I remember trying that once and never was able to get to far. I'm not quite sure why that happens to be true but it certainly happens here as well. Try using patterns instead. Your composition skills will improve greatly anyway lol.
Cheers,
Zac |
|
|
| ilovemusic |
i found a text on the net, i'll paste it here (Options -> general settings):
"1. The DirectSound Streaming Buffer. Most of the stuff on this screen you don’t need to know about, but you should know what the Buffer Length does. Basically, if you make this buffer long, you are less likely to get choppy sound but changes you make to a playing loop will take longer to kick in. If you make it short, you are more likely to get choppy sound but changes will kick in faster. You want it short, but depending on your computer, you may need to come back to this screen later (F10) and make it longer. If you have a combination of a fast computer and a good sound card, you may be able to get the latency as low as 10ms. For a SoundBlaster Live, you can probably go as low as 30ms. The
Use Polling option can also improve latencies for some operating systems (keep it turned on if you use Windows 95 or 98, but try switching it off in Windows 2000 to see if it brings better performance)" |
|
|
| vrahnos |
| quote: | Originally posted by ilovemusic
i found a text on the net, i'll paste it here (Options -> general settings):
"1. The DirectSound Streaming Buffer. Most of the stuff on this screen you don�t need to know about, but you should know what the Buffer Length does. Basically, if you make this buffer long, you are less likely to get choppy sound but changes you make to a playing loop will take longer to kick in. If you make it short, you are more likely to get choppy sound but changes will kick in faster. You want it short, but depending on your computer, you may need to come back to this screen later (F10) and make it longer. If you have a combination of a fast computer and a good sound card, you may be able to get the latency as low as 10ms. For a SoundBlaster Live, you can probably go as low as 30ms. The
Use Polling option can also improve latencies for some operating systems (keep it turned on if you use Windows 95 or 98, but try switching it off in Windows 2000 to see if it brings better performance)" |
thanks but i've tried turning off polling, nothing...
that part about sb live must be a joke....i have an audigy 2 and if i set latency to 40ms i get like 30 underruns per second (with one synth) :p
i dont know wtf is going on |
|
|
|
|
