CPU Usage or Buffer Issues with M-Audio Fast Track PRO?

[man called aerodynamics]

Here is the issue:

I have the M-Audio Fast Track Pro
plugging into Dell Inspiron Laptop 1705 (IGB memory; 533 MHZ processing speed)
Acid Music Studio
Using the GT player Express that came with the FAst Track PRO

When I first plugged ina and tried to record, no problem.
Now, after a minute or two of recording guitar, there is a crackling, the GT PLayer software stops working, ACID gets locked up. I have to restart both programs to get it back in order.

The CPU usage during recording is not going above 20%; Memory usage is not going aboe 350 MB during recording.

I have tweaked the buffer size on ACID; I have tweaked sampling rate on Fast Track Pro.

Any other suggestions? Is this a buffer issue or CPU usage issue?
(can anyone explain the issues of buffer vs. CPU anyway?)

OK, thanks ahead of time for the knowledge, all the work on the forum is appreciated!
-jg

[richiebee]

It could well be a hard drive issue. Laptop hard drives are usually really slow, so it might struggle to keep up with what it needs to write. Increasing ram MIGHT help. Increasing buffer size might help.

533Mhz sounds really underpowered to me, but if your CPU usage isn't over 20%, this is probably not the issue.... although that might depend on what is registering a 20% CPU use - the OS or the application?

[man called aerodynamics]

R.-thanks for the reply...I listed the tech specs wrong...
I have a dual core processor, 1.73 GHZ.
Any ideas on why it initially worked fine and now has some problems? Any issue I should look at to tweak it?
Again, thanks for the assistance.

[minimack]

I run an M audio interface also...Using acid pro....TThe M audio has been giving us alot of problems lately....We had the exact same problem the other day while recortding...I had to shut the whole system down and go from there..Unplugged everything...Well after restarting it worked fine...I believe M audio may have a problem....Anyways man I got a new interface now...Digidesign 442....I'll stick with that one...

[richiebee]

Okay, so that explains why your processor isnt' complaining! I'd still look at the hard drive. Maybe it needs defragging. It looks like its a 5400rpm drive in those Inspirons. I'd imagine you'd need to keep it tip top to avoid issues. Do you have real time anti-virus running? If so, disable it.

How long have you had the computer, and when did it start having issues?

R.

[man called aerodynamics]

Had the laptop for 3 months now. Got the M-Audio FT PRO one month ago, and had no issues with it until the past two weeks.
Also, it still works as an external sound card, that is, I can still record guitar fine onto the ACID backing tracks, and then add effects after the fact, but once I turn on the GT Player Express software to record guitar effects in real time, that's when the problems start.

[brandondrury]

Does Acid Pro have a CPU usage meter? I'm assuming you are taking a look at your Windows meter, but these aren't always accurate.

What buffer size are you running right now?

Brandon

[man called aerodynamics]

Acid Music Studio does not have a CPU usage meter.
I have been using the Windows meter to watch the CPU usage.
I have looked at the buffer and cpu issues and come up with a solution, it seems like. I will post it here in case anyone else is having similar issues.

Under ACID/options/preferences, I selected the MS Soundmapper as recorder in, put buffering at 0.50, and latency as 68 (I believe this is the default?).
Under Advanced, I checked output for MS Sound Mapper.
Position Bias = 0
Audio Buffer = 4
Buffer Size = MME
Priority = time critical
Under the Record Option, I selected MS Sound Mapper and Mono rt channel.

In the FT Pro preferences, I selected output 1 + 2 and 3+4
Max sample = 48 khz/24 bits

I am still having some crackling in the recording. I went ahead and re-loaded the GT PLayer Express Software and the M-Audio driver. Still crackling (slightly) , but I believe this is a buffer issue I can tweak.
CPU usage is sometimes hitting up to 18%, but only briefly, and things seems to be working ok - no freezing up.
Alright, just wanted to holler back re: this issue, maybe htis can help others with the same problem. Thanks for all the replies and direction!
Cheers, jg

[man called aerodynamics]

OH! Almost forgot, took R.'s advice and defragged, also!
Also set priorities as high for ACID and GT PLayer Express.
-jg

[Trock]

The gt I had did the same thing while listening to playback. I would turn it off then back on and it would resume the playback without the noise. Look on gt website talk forums. Lots of problems.