Dec 11, 2007 09:57 am I normally set my buffer at 128 when recording and make sure I have no effects being processed on any playback tracks. When I go to mix and apply effects, I crank it to 16K.
Buffer settings...any help?
Posted on Dec 11, 2007 09:52 am
createdculture
Member Since: Dec 11, 2007
I'm using an Alesis Multimix12 firewire mixer with Logic Express 7.2 and I'm having some trouble with recording and playback.
I understand the basics of how buffers work but there are so many variables that I'm not sure how to begin troubleshooting. The main trouble is static during playback. I'm pretty certain the static is coming from the MultiMix and not Logic because system sounds have the static as well.
Does anyone out there actually use the MultiMix? It has its own control panel with buffer groups and buffer settings. I adjusted the buffers to get clean sounding playback but that produces very noticable latency when recording.
Is it usually necessary to have one buffer setting for latency-free recording and a separate buffer setting for playback?? That just doesn't seem quite right. I'm just not sure how to find my computer's "sweet spot" after hours of tweaking.
Thanks for the help! This has definitely been frustratin as I am eager to get recording on this new material!
[ Back to Top ]
Dec 11, 2007 09:57 am I normally set my buffer at 128 when recording and make sure I have no effects being processed on any playback tracks. When I go to mix and apply effects, I crank it to 16K.
Dec 11, 2007 02:37 pm yeppers, me too...i change my buffers depending on the task at hand...there is no 'magic' middle setting (well i guess if you keep track count to a min.)...but yeah i get it as low as i can for tracking then crank 'em up when mixing.....the only down side is you hear a slight delay when making adjustments on plugins.
Dec 12, 2007 01:37 am i will be watching this thread. i have a buffer problem too. mine doesn't 'stick' where i set it. it always wants to go back to whatever the default is. i use the card db has. and i've been writing new stuff this week (might actually finish two, at last, hope hope)
but on the other hand i can't really say it has been a problem so far. when i start playback cold from a bootup, there's major static--sometimes sound drops out for seconds at a time. but i just keep stopping and pressing and play again, and within about three minutes, the system can handle it and is working flawlessly. i don't understand what is happening with that, but it must have something to do with the cold bootup, and the ram and processsor slowly ditching certain unimportant tasks as time goes on?
Dec 12, 2007 01:52 am Try calling up your Task Manager after a cold boot and watch it until it flatlines at 0% CPU and then open up your project. If there's no clicking, poping, or stalling, then it's background process' eating the up all the resources. If it still continues, I'm clueless. But I think thats what it is.
As for your buffers sticking? That's really weird.
Are you using ASIO drivers? On a Mac or PC?
Dec 12, 2007 02:07 am asio if i remember correctly. i set stuff up years ago and left it. pc.
Dec 12, 2007 02:14 am CreatedCulture anf forty, if you're not already using it, try ASIO4ALL, it's got it's own buffer settings and other cool features.
www.asio4all.com/
Are you using Logic too forty?
Dec 12, 2007 03:17 pm I'm using Logic so I'm on a mac running OSX. ASIO is not a mac format, only Core Audio so no luck there.
I'm really not sure what's going on but my buffer settings have gotten worse as now I get static when trying to set levels on instruments to track, before it was only on playback. I'm entirely out of commission in terms of recording right now and not sure where to turn.
I tried calling Alesis and they were as puzzled as I am.
Geez...do I have to give up on my gear and buy all new stuff?? I know this setup is compatible and that my system is fine, just some setting in there that I can't get tweaked right! It's raelly frustrating, and a major bummer as I've been really eager to record this new batch of material.
Any other suggestions? Anyone?
Dec 13, 2007 01:48 am No, don't freak out and buy all new stuff. There's always a how and why, it's just finding it thats always hard.
I've done considerable reading around in concerns to your problem and it seems that in Logic 6 and 7 there are some whacky driver issues. Do you use one of these versions? If so, I suggest reinstalling and doing an immediate upgrade to 8.
If your buffers are getting worse, try keeping the computer off the internet for a couple days and cleaning all the BS out of it. You may just have some 'cling-ware' latching onto your CPU resources. Seeing as it's a growing issue, this is probably a good place to start. Cling-ware is Macs version of mal-ware, and is far more common than anyone realizes. It's hard to find anti-virus and anti-malware programs for mac, but look around online and see if you can find them; you wont be sorry spending 40$ as opposed to buying all new hardware, thats for sure.
If your Mac never touches the internet, check for RTAS issues. I know it sounds weird, but some RTAS objects dont play well with others, and can cause the types of problems you're describing. (just had a nasty RTAS error the other day between DigiDesign and Waves at work)
So that's about all I can say for now considering your description. Give 'em a try and see what happens. :)
Forty, I'm not sure I entirely understand what your issues are. In retrospect, I'm actually clueless. Can you elaborate a little more and give me some CPU stats (can be found in Start/control panel/system) and I'll see if I can figure out some possibilities for your issue as well.
Dec 13, 2007 02:17 am forty, see if you're running a virus scan right when you start up, that usually takes 3-4 minutes and AVG always does it right when I start up even if I've scheduled it for some other time.
Might be an obvious suggestion, but if your computer isn't a powerhouse, a virus scan can slow things down quite a bit.
Dec 13, 2007 02:18 am Ture on that point ken, on my laptop it takes AVG almost 3 hours to get done running!
Dec 13, 2007 09:11 pm OK, here is the key with most of the audio cards out there.
You need to set most of them in the cards own mixer or control panel. If you try to adjust the buffer in the app such as Cubase or Sonar most of the higher end cards will force the application to default to the cards hard set buffer settings. Sonar is the only app out there that I kn ow of at the moment that has an over ride that will force the card to change from the application. But it as well depends on the card. Some of the card control panel applett's do not allow for forced control.
Dec 14, 2007 04:05 am noize--i do set my card on its own interface.
keith--maybe i'll look at stats for CPU next time i boot it up (tomorrow probably)
kenneth--it happens every time i start cubase, so it's not a virus scan
it's not been a big issue with me at all. it all still works fine. just don't understand it, and i have to wait a few minutes and hit play a few times before the system 'somehow' catches up.
Dec 15, 2007 01:06 am I wonder then if there is a setting in cubase that is over riding it and reseting it then?
|
Related Forum Topics: |
If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.