Clicks during recording. I need advice.

> > > Clicks during recording. I need advice.

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Member Since: Aug 07, 2004

Hi all,

I recently changed to another PC, and since then I get clicks on my recorded tracks. These clicks do not appear when playing back earlier recorded tracks, so it must have something to do with the new setup, and only when recording. Below is a system overview, together with some actions that I have already taken (based upon the information that I found on different forums from manufacturers and users). What else can I try?

System Overview
Motherboard PCChips M754LMR+
Motherboard Chipset ULi/ALi M1631 ALADDiN TNT2
Intel Celeron II, 900 MHz (9 x 100)
System memory 240 MB (SDRAM)
Video card NVIDIA Aladdin TNT2
3D-accelerator NVIDIA RIVA TNT2
On-board soundcard C-Media CMI8738/C3DX Audio Device
PCI soundcard IC Ensemble M-Audio Audiophile 2496
IDE device ALi M5229 PCI Bus Master IDE-controller
SCSI/RAID device Symbios Logic 53C416 SCSI Adapter (HP ScanJet)
USB device ULi/ALi M5237 USB Open Host Controller
Microsoft Windows 98 SE
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Fysical memory: Total 239 MB, Used 202 MB, Free 36 MB
Swap file: Total 1808 MB, Used 143 MB, Free 1665 MB
Virtual memory: Total 2047 MB, Used 345 MB, Free 1702 MB

Startup programs
ashMaiSv, AWMON, HPSCANMonitor, LoadPowerProfile, M-Audio Delta Control Panel, DeltTray.exe, OSA9.EXE, ScanRegistry, StillImageMonitor, SystemTray, Tweak UI, Zone Labs Client

Hardware:
Ibanez EDR470 EX
Boss GT-6

Connections:
Ibanez EDR470 EX » Input (Boss GT-6)
S/PDIF Out (Boss GT-6) » S/PDIF In (Audiophile 2496)
MIDI In/Out (Boss GT-6) » MIDI Out/In (Audiophile 2496)
Line Out (C-Media CMI8738) » Analog RCA Ins (Audiophile 2496)
Analog Outs (Audiophile 2496) » Active Speakers / Headphones

Actions alread taken:
- I have the most recent drivers for all my hardware installed.
- I have tried all different buffer sizes on the Delta card (Delta Control Panel -> Hardware Settings -> DMA Buffer Size), starting with the smallest value and increasing step by step to the highest value.
- I have tried different options for Windows virtual memory: first I let Windows do the job, then I tried setting the same value for Minimum/Maximum (Control Panel-> System -> Advanced->Performance Options->Virtual Memory: 512/512)
- I disabled the function MultiClient ASIO/EASI (Delta Control Panel -> Hardware Settings)
- I disconnected all USB devices..
- I disabled the "Auto Insert Notification". (Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> CD-ROM -> Settings).
- I checked the IRQ assignment to see if any device was using the same IRQ as my Delta. My Delta is on IRQ3, and the only listing that has the same value as the Delta is the "IRQ Holder”, which should not be a problem.
- In N-Track Studio, which I run on 16/44.000, I have assigned the relevant MME devices for recording and playback.
- I have tried all different buffer sizes on in N-Track Studio (Settings > Preferences > Buffering Settings), starting with the smallest value and increasing step by step to the highest value.

Ideas, anyone?
Thanks

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sonic dinosaur
Member
Since: Dec 21, 2004

Feb 08, 2005 01:54 am

G'day GG,

When I started reading your query I was thinking "shared IRQ" but you answered that thought later. I would suggest a few things:

1.Something that is auto-loading is stealing processor time. Go Start/Run/msconfig and on the last tab you can uncheck auto-loading progs. Try loading without the HPSCANMon and Zonelabs and anything else unnecessary for music.

2. 256MB is maybe just not enough RAM and your system is swapping to pagefile.

3. IRQ 3 could be used by a COM port or internal modem. Try shifting the Delta to another slot.

Generally the less stuff you have loaded the better. I have a second boot partition purely for music - it doesn't have internet access (modem excluded from the hw config), therefore doesn't need antivirus, firewall, IE, or any other process interruptors. Works great.

Cheers,
Marty.

Member
Since: Aug 07, 2004

Feb 08, 2005 12:32 pm

Thanks for your feedback, Marty,

I understand that audio recording demands a lot of a computers' resources. Then again, my previous system was a prehistoric Pentium II 233 MHz with a 4 GB HD and 244MB RAM, and getting rid of clicks was easily achieved by adjusting the buffering settings. I am running basically the same software on my new rig. I alreday tried to boot without all the 'add-on software', but that did not solve the problem.

I had already ordered 2 x 512 MB RAM and I'm expecting these any day now. I'm sure this will improve overall speed and performance.

I had also already disabled my COM1 port and my on-board modem in the BIOS section, because I don't use these anyway. This is when my system assigned the Delta to IRQ3. I will indeed try to move it to another slot when I add the extra memory.

I'll continue to explore other scenario's, but please feel free to post any other ideas. I will keep you posted as well if any progress is made.

Thanks,
Geert

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Feb 08, 2005 01:07 pm

Would 98 be able to use WDM or maybe ASIO drivers. I'd think they would be much better at audio data throughput. I haven't used my delta card in 98, so I'm not sure. I am using n-track though, and a GT-6.

another thought, the connection to hard drive may be putzing you up. I installed a 120g drive, but used the normal IDE cable, and couldn't use the drive for audio at all. Hiccups constantly. I could stream to my 13g without problem. I put in the 80 pin cable, and the 120g was then connecting at the ATA-100 and working fine.

I'd also be concerned with the 36meg free memory as well. If your PC is hitting the hard drive to swap pages, you could get hiccups.

Also, did you try disconnecting the scanjet? maybe there's communication going on every so often that hiccups the writing process.

Good luck

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 08, 2005 01:09 pm

ASIO yes, WDM I believe is only 98 second edition and newer.

Oh, and your Delta should be on a MUCH higher IRQ than 3. 9 or higher is generally recommended.

sonic dinosaur
Member
Since: Dec 21, 2004

Feb 08, 2005 09:39 pm

G'day Geert,

I've just stumbled across a very good site run by another Aussie guy. I was looking for something else, but found he has an excellent rundown on what to do for clicks and pops. Have a gander at

www.pcmus.com/clicknpops.htm

DB, is it worth a link??

Cheers,
Marty.

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