High Specs But Low Performance - Pops Glitches Dropouts

[voinavlad]

Hi there,

I have a very detailed problem and I have already tried a lot of approaches but with no result. I am with my nerves down so I would extremely apreciate any help. I'll try to be as brief as possible.

System Specs:
ASUS P5QL-E Motherboard (Latest BIOS)
Intel Dual Core E8400 3.0Ghz 1333 FSB
2 * 2GB Corsair XMS2 CAS 5 (Dual Channel Kit)
ASUS EN7300GT SILENT 512M
WD 250GB 7200rpm 16MB Cache
Hercules Dj Console 24bit/48000 Soundcard
ABLETON 7.03
Windows XP Pro 32 bits/64 bits, Vista x64

Problem behaviour:
According to my test the problem apears only under ASIO mode. If during playback of a track (in ableton), I move, resize or even select sequences or clips, I experience pops, clicks and drop-outs and somtimes even sudden bit rate drops (its like sticking a Bit Rate reduction plugin and drop the level to 1 bitrate). It happens when I switch from the Session View to the Arrangement View also and even when I resize views in Ableton. The things thin out if I increase the buffer size but still occur even around 1000 samples which is unacceptable.

What I noticed:

Firstly, I noticed that almost every time I move sequences, parameters, etc. the CPU meter jumps up about 15%. None of these happen when in MME mode (set at about 35ms latency using the test tone).

What I have done:

I am having this issue since I have build my new system which had a Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R before. After searching around I found that the most P35 Gigabyte boards had a problem with the DPC Latencies and I've done everything from flashing bios to emailing support to fix the problems. Enthusiastic I changed my motherboard to the ASUS on the above specs. I installed a fresh, clean XP x64 and found that the problem was still the same. Exactly the same. Furthermore, I installed XP 32 and it seemed to work better. The "things" occured more sparsely, but still annoying. I then tried Vista x64 and the promblems were at their peak.

Ambitious, later on I talked with a friend who came over with his Graphic Card (8 Series,nVidia, 1 GB Memory) and a stick of 1 GB ADATA RAM. I tried them one by one hoping I'l find what was causing the problem but I was brought down seeing the problem exactly like at the beginning.

Everything it's ruled out except for the CPU which I somehow believe is not the problem, but I am really baffled anyway.

Is there any1 who has an idea of what might cause my problems? I think it's a compatibility issue as I installed my Hercues Console and Ableton on my brother's computer (which is an old P4 with 512 DDR400 RAM) and the was no sign of the problem.

Thank you for reading my story and I would really appreciate any help or directions from anybody.

[ABDES]

Hi seems like a lot of problems can I suggest you run only on 16bit and 44.1 with 128 buffer settings in and out, also windows XP Pro works the best, Vista is rubbish with audio lots of problems there, you can up the latency too...using higher spec will only cause you problems like this, it is only a PC, also you may want to try an external firewire or usb 2 audio interface module, Edirol make some great audio interfaces your internal sound card surely can't handle it. I think if you want to go to high spec you need to change to Mac hope this helps

[voinavlad]

Can do 44.1 but 16 bit is hilarious. I get your point but why the same soundcard work perfectly on my brothers computer. A poor Intel P4 with 512 DDR400 ?Perfectly mate, 144 Samples Buffer with no glitch or pop ar all. I am sure it's not a specs problem. It's more of a compatibilty, or who knows what new technology setting that causes latency.

[ABDES]

There is no way you can run without constant problems more than 16bit on a pc, 16bit is CD standard and widely accepted 24 bit and up only gets you more head room at source but when it get burned to cd it's back to 16bit also you need at least 2 gig of ram running recording software I suggest you get a dedicated purpose built pc to do what you want rather than wasting money and hoping it's gonna work.

[brandondrury]

why the same soundcard work perfectly on my brothers computer.

Can you send me a link to the chipset requirements of the soundcard/audio interface?

Brandon

[voinavlad]

I searched the Hercules website and my products documentation but there isn't any detailed specifications section. I have been thinking about your suggestion. There could be a chipset incompatibility somewhere. For that, I emailed Hercules Support few minutes before. I hope I'll get a professional response.

PS: I was planning to change my sound card anyway, but I can't afford that now and I still want to make music .

[fortyseven]

U seem to be having a tough time dude! After reading ur story I cant say for sure what the problem is although I can tell you what its NOT. I doubt strongly that its ur CPU. Its not memory or graphics card. Also dont be using 64bit operating systems if ur system only runs at 32bit. The operating sytem is doubtfully the problem although I'd stay far away from Vista.
As far as motherboards go, I only use Intel. They've given me the least amount of hassle. My suggestion to u is three-fold. Apply the "back to basics" principle here. Take everything out of ur PC leaving only the four most basic parts: motherboard, CPU, RAM and HDD. Check to see if u get the same issue. If not, then one by one add another component until u get to ur problem. That should help u identify which specific piece of hardware is the offender (this assumes that the problem is hardware related).
Secondly, Im not sure at what bit depth and Hz ur working with but as suggested earlier, keep to the standard 16bit 44.1Khz for now. Once u have determined exactly what the problem is then u can increase it if u like. Thirdly, I'd update all system drivers, especially the chipset and ASIO ones.
Remember with computers, sometimes things that should work dont, and sometimes things that shouldnt work do! So just because it ran on someone else's pc doesnt mean that it will definitely run on urs. Even 2 identical pc's never run exactly the same.