Yes, I do consider myself a bit of a PC "expert" as I've been using Cubase since it's inception and I used FXteleport since it's inception. Until I moved to W7, I could get 128/256 samples with FXT no problem, even on older computers. I tried 256 and the pops are still there. I can use Bidule (via rewire) with the same samples loaded on my main daw computer and get less pops and clicks at 128 than VEPro running on a separate computer.

Is there any advantage over using a gigabit switch instead of a crossover cable?

knievel:

I just saw your post after I posted. My I7 920 is overclocked to 3.2ghz and my ram is running at 1600mhz, so I don't think ram has much to do with it.

BTW Even though this project pops and clicks in realtime, if I export the mix (faster than realtime), the pops dissapear, weird huh?

 Is the GUI of VE Pro open, minimised or closed?

DG

@knievel said:

Cheers BK for that very informative post!

Just a quick question...

Would RAM speed come into the equation at all?? Or is it mainly to do with the CPU calculations?

For instance:

I have 12GB of DDR3 RAM running at 1066Mhz CL7 latency, but still get pops n' crackles with MIR on my i7 920 at 512 samples latency.

If I used the same set up, but instead used faster or overclocked RAM, would I still get the same crackerly results, do you think? As the CPU still has to make exactly the same calculations anyway??

I notice the new 6 core Intel i7 980X only 'officially' supports 1066Mhz RAM anyways... so I'm thinking RAM speed has little bearing on this issue?

knievel

Hi Knievel

For making an "assessment" a of a "music station" you should take each component into account.

12GB DDR3 1066MHz could be a good RAM compared with the rest of the system (GHz, amount of cores etc.) but in another system it would be a weak part.

For us - the average consumer - 12 GB, DDR3, 1066Mhz a good average... even if 1333Mhz would be better...[;)]

But as I said: We have to observe the whole system. Sometimes we have components, programs or settings outside the "Audio-Line" which can disturb a proper handling with the audio datas.

1. Good to know, which part of your PC or MAC is the weakest one. If you know that you can try to fit the part in an adequate way to the rest of the system.

One possibility to get first hints: Use the WN7/Vista "Leistungsbewertung" (Power Assessment?)

Example: I know that my grafic card is too weak compared with the rest. Its job: Showing datas on two screens of 2 x 1650 x 1050 pixels.

A first step could be: Switching off all the nice effects like shadows etc. Nevertheless, I should exchange the component for better results.

There are other programs for getting information and for finding the weakest part of the system: A freeware example is "Sandra Light"

2. But there are other "powerkillers". Try to keep your Computer  free from any program which isn't necessary for producing music.

So switch off  - if possible - all security programs, sidebare wheather forcasts, connections with ... etc. 

A really bad situation could be:

You are working with MIR  - and at the same time: The security program downloads and installs the newest antivirus files - in the background.

Such processes can lead to a crash.

Further, try to stop all autostart programs, auto tasks etc. as much as possible.

A lot of words but a short summary: It is not one single part which makes a fast system...[;)]

Best

Beat Kaufmann

@beatpete said:

BTW Even though this project pops and clicks in realtime, if I export the mix (faster than realtime), the pops dissapear, weird huh?

Hello Beatpete

As you mentioned your system seems to be a fast one. The hint, that the crackles desappear with exporting files shows that it isn't (only) a question of the latency.

If you have crackles (not pops, "gaps of sound") it could be a conflict with the graphic card. I estimate 75%.

As a first step you can observe whether the crackles have someting to do with movements in the display or not. More movements = other crackles?

In any case I recommend to check whether the DIGIFACE and your graphic-card share an IRQ or not (Hardware-Manager/im Geräte Manager).

If yes: try to arrange a separate IRQ for each component. In any case you should arrange it, that the graphic card gets an own IRQ.

If not: Try to change the PCIe slots for one of the two components. Maybe it make sense to solve this problem together with a computer specialist.

All the best

Beat  Kaufmann

@beatpete said:

BTW Even though this project pops and clicks in realtime, if I export the mix (faster than realtime), the pops dissapear, weird huh?

Hello Beatpete

As you mentioned your system seems to be a fast one. The hint, that the crackles desappear with exporting files shows that it isn't (only) a question of the latency.

If you have crackles (not pops, "gaps of sound") it could be a conflict with the graphic card. I estimate 75%.

As a first step you can observe whether the crackles have someting to do with movements in the display or not. More movements = other crackles?

In any case I recommend to check whether the DIGIFACE and your graphic-card share an IRQ or not (Hardware-Manager/im Geräte Manager).

If yes: try to arrange a separate IRQ for each component. In any case you should arrange it, that the graphic card gets an own IRQ.

If not: Try to change the PCIe slots for one of the two components. Maybe it make sense to solve this problem together with a computer specialist.

All the best

Beat  Kaufmann

 Beat:

I think you're on the right track, moving the Cubase arrange gui around increases the pops. The graphics card is sharing irqs with a lot of stuff (including the 2 UAD-1 PcIe cards) but Not with the Digiface.

DG:

The VEPro gui is not open on the slave.

 beatpete,

A suggestion which others made that helped me was to replace my network card with an intel card. That 90% of clicks and pops go away on my system (2 slaves and a master). I replaced all cards with an intel pro card and it did make the difference. Just a thought.

M.

Hey DG - is the performance better with the VEP GUI minimized?  This caught my eye.

@Mahlon said:

 beatpete,

A suggestion which others made that helped me was to replace my network card with an intel card. That 90% of clicks and pops go away on my system (2 slaves and a master). I replaced all cards with an intel pro card and it did make the difference. Just a thought.

M.

 Mahlon;

Can you explain more about how the new lan cards helped? i read your other post but you never replied with a "solved" answer. Did installing the cards completely get rid of your clicks and pops? What was the model # of the Intel cards?

@Rob Elliott said:

Hey DG - is the performance better with the VEP GUI minimized?  This caught my eye.

 Rob:

I have definately noticed the occasional glitch while the Vep gui (slave) is open.

OK - I have three slave units - just minimize all instances of VEP.  I'll give it a shot.