M-Audio Omnistudio USB issues

Posted on

Member Since: May 15, 2004

Dear All,

I really really really need help on this. I've bought an Omnistudio USB two days ago and still unable to rock.

You see, the unit is capable of recording at 24bit/96kHz but the turn off is due to the nature of USB connections, there will be a few limitations such as only 2 ins/0 out recording at that rate instead of a full 4 ins/ 4 outs when recording at 16bit/48kHz.

So far, recording at 16/48 causes no problems but at 24/96 with two inputs; I had dropout almost instantly in Sonar.

The I/O buffer setting in Sonar had been changed earlier to 256 and my CPU usage is minimal. I'm using P4/3.20E, 512MbRAM. Computer performance has been set to BEST.

Does anybody had explanations or similar experience? Or Suggestions?

Thanks guys.
cheers.

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 09, 2004 11:37 pm

Indeed you will need to set the buffer higher if you want to record at that sample rate. Most peeps around here record at 16/44.1 as that is CD quality. The only reason to record at any higher sample rate is if you are a pro studio or sound designer and need the extra bit breakdown for slicing and dicing audio samples up.

For the most part 16/44.1 should more then suffice.

I would suggest going to M-Audios website and downloading the current drivers and installing them. You may have just bought the unit but odds are it sat on a shelf somewhere for awhile and doesnt have up to date drivers with the install disc.

Give that a shot and see how it goes.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 10, 2004 04:03 am

Thanks Noize2u for your points;

A few months back, I had the chance of recording my band's single CD using the Audiotrak Maya 44 MKII and listening to the quality of 24/96 recordings really amazed me. From what I've learnt, 24/96 tracking quality if coverted afterwards to 16/44.1 by using any sound file converters (or burnt onto a CD); still sounds a hell lot more better than what you can get if you record in 16/44.1.

Well I'm not going back to 16/44.1 recording again man..hehe.. At least, tracking at 24bits and mixing in 16bits quality can already make me one happy man..

Anyway, I have updated the driver the next day I bought the OSUSB but I'll try to change the I/O buffer size of Sonar 3 to 512.

I'll let you know once I get it done...

Thanks again Noize2u, I really appreciate your help.




Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 10, 2004 07:56 pm

Your very welcome ciinx, and I do agree on the 24/96. I do most of my sound design at that level, but rarely use it for recording. But if you can get it to run good for you then it is worth it.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 21, 2004 10:18 pm

Noize2u;

I've updated the driver recently but the problem is still not solved. "Your audio disk may be full" is what written now.

I have an extra of about 5GB in my C drive and and extra 80GB Hard Disk in my D drive just for the recordings. So the claim does not make any sense.

The Sonar's cakewalk directory "Audio Data and Picture Cache" has already been put in the D drive.

I dont know whether there are other settings that I've missed in Sonar. Can you help?

I dont know where else to refer about these stuffs except in HRC. I've built most of my knowledge here in HRC so I thought this is the right place for answers. Thanks man, I mean it.

ciinx


Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 21, 2004 10:26 pm

Oppss! I forgot. I've also changed the buffer setting to 512 as suggested by you.. before I updated the driver.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 23, 2004 03:43 am

Deleted By ciinx

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 23, 2004 06:07 am

auuwww... come on....

Even my country's main distributor for M-Audio told me not to ask him anything about Omnistudio USB.

Please anybody.. Hear my cry..sobsob

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 23, 2004 06:41 am

Come on now, if nobody knows, nobody knows, and obviously nobody does...and if M-Audio told you to not ask him about it, I would pack that thing right back up and return it. That type of "support" is inexcusable.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 24, 2004 04:12 am

Hahahaahaa

Thanks dB, I laughed like hell when I read your reply. Did not believe my eyes..

Whats irony is that I've set my mind to 100% on buying the unit when I saw your comments on the M-Audio Omnistudio USB a few months back.

But nevermind that. Thanks for your sincerity. I'll update if I find the answers to my own question.

HRC Rocks!!

Thanks Again

ciinx

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 24, 2004 05:21 am

I don't recall evercommenting much on the OmniStudio, though I really like M-Audio, which I have talked up a good game for before...often...

That said, it's not the product, it's a jerk-off rep that says "don't even ask me"...jeezuz, what a crappy distributor...

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 24, 2004 08:06 am

"That said, it's not the product, it's a jerk-off rep that says "don't even ask me"...jeezuz, what a crappy distributor..."

Actually his post is the "Country's Manager".... the biggest post that a sales person can get..

That sucks!

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 24, 2004 08:13 am

If I was you, I would mention that to the M-Audio corporate sales and marketing team. That guy SHOULD NOT have that job. Dude, you could (and should) totally raise hell over that lousy support.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 24, 2004 08:19 am

Your the maaaaannn dB!!!!

I'll think abaout that. hahaha

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 24, 2004 08:21 am

Thinking is for wussies...DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!

You might be surprised at the positive reactions some companies give you when reporting this kind of thing regarding their higher-up management...seriously. This should be something they WANT to know.

It does make me sad tho, M-Audio makes some great gear, but I have been hearing reports regarding their customer support lately that are getting worse and worse...it's unfortunate.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Sep 28, 2004 03:55 am

Unfortunately;

I still havent report it to anybody in M-Audio as I surely believe that this issue lies in the Sonar's configuration and settings..

Well, I do love the Omnistudio USB as the mic preamp is awesome; even when I record in 16bit/44.1kHz (thanks noize2u)the sound quality is as good as recording in 24bit of other soundcards I've tried (I believe).

A commercial sound engineer around my place told me last night that my problem actually been caused by low RAM: (Actually, I'm using 512MB Kingston Hyper-X RAM). He is using about 1 GB of RAM and after a while he had the same problem as mine (he's using Sonar 2).

If this really the case then I need to upgrade mine to a hell lot more of memory speed.

I hope this explains everything. Once I get myself more RAM and get things tested, I'll update HRC again.

Thanks though.

ciinx


Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Nov 06, 2004 03:14 pm

No its not the RAMs, but SONAR. I reinstalled the software and it works just like that. I feel ugly now.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Nov 06, 2004 03:30 pm

No, it wouldn't be RAM, 512 should be enough, more is always good, but 512 is enough to get by doing most things.

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