Is it true that I need this...?

[L-1011Alpha]

Hi there!

I posted here about a month ago a problem that I was having with my PC and Pro-Tools..

When set to recording.. I hear the voice good and clear, but from nowhere the sound gets distortioned (unclear) like a "ground" sound...
and to get it stopped and get the voice clear again in the recording, I have to go to the SETUPS >> PLAYBACK ENGINE >> H/W BUFFER SIZE AND CHANGE IT FROM 1024 TO 128 ..OR.. 1024 TO 128 SAMPLE...

It only gets good for like 20 or 30 seconds in the recording, and AGAIN I have to change the Buffer Sice!!!

I was told that it has to be the RAM of the PC (I have 1 GB). But now someone told me that I HAVE TO BUY A MULTI-TRACK SOUND CARD TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM because my sound card is the original that comes with the PC and it doesn't work with the MBOX like its suppose to...

What do you guys think? Do I really need it?

[richiebee]

If you're using an Mbox, that is your "soundcard". Just disable the onboard one if you're having trouble with it and the Mbox together. However, they should be able to work together.

You don't need a multitrack soundcard (whatever the hell that is).

[L-1011Alpha]

The guy that told me that, also told me that having no multitrack sound card (like MOTU sound card)... Is the reason why I can't "punch" the recording in the same track in a session in Pro-Tools...

If something went wrong in the recording I have to open another track for that, I just can't punch where he made the mistake...

????????

[the.blode]

Originally Posted by L-1011Alpha

The guy that told me that, also told me that having no multitrack sound card (like MOTU sound card)... Is the reason why I can't "punch" the recording in the same track in a session in Pro-Tools...

If something went wrong in the recording I have to open another track for that, I just can't punch where he made the mistake...

????????

well that's not right at all.. You can use punch in and out recording with a single input interface (I'm assuming this is what he means?) .. I've not used Pro Tools for more than 10 minutes, but I'm sure the recording options can't be hard to find.

[Andrew07]

like richiebee said, the mbox IS your soundcard. when using pro tools its running from that, not the soundcard. ive never heard of your problem. whoever is telling you to buy MOTU stuff doesn't know what they're talking about. what version of pro tools are you on? computer specs?

[Penniesfromheaven]

Don't buy more equipment. Your RAM is sufficiant, and your pc's soundcard is not involved. You shouldn't have to change your buffer to other than maybe 60 to 70 percent, which is as it comes from the factory I believe. There is a bar indicator you can bring up that tells you how much processor power you are using (display options). Stressing out your processor will cause your problem as you describe it, as far as the distortion goes.

You may have to describe how you are set up for the punch-in problem, as there are several things that could cause it, most of them involving menu options.

[L-1011Alpha]

I have the buffer in 65%... The problem is KILLING ME!! I will try to explore the menu options like you told me and I'll let you know how I have those options!

Thanks!

[L-1011Alpha]

Originally Posted by Andrew07

like richiebee said, the mbox IS your soundcard. when using pro tools its running from that, not the soundcard. ive never heard of your problem. whoever is telling you to buy MOTU stuff doesn't know what they're talking about. what version of pro tools are you on? computer specs?

PC Specs:

Windows XP 2002 (PC)
Intel Pentium 4 CPU / 3.20GHZ / 0.98 GB of RAM

Pro Tools LE 6.1.1

Starting buff size: 128 samples / 65% CPU usage
DAE Playback Buffer size: LEVEL 0 (Minimun)

[ferguson66]

I ran into similar problems with ProTools and it turned out to be hard drive related. I was trying to use an external firewire hard drive and it turns out the interface is not fast enough. I moved my audio files to the main hard drive and everything started working fine.

[Andrew07]

i think i keep my playback buffer at 2