cakewalk, vst, dxi, clicks and pops

jaz000 · Jan 10, 2006, 11:25 PM

help! I need basic Help I'm afraid!

I'm trying to use VST and DXi instruments in cakewalk using the kx project driver and my trusty old Sblive value!

In cakewalk everything works fine for playing a few bars on a VST instrument, but then (normally when the loop skips back to the start) it goes up in pitch and has lots of clicks and pops ...

I've tried just about every setting, but curently I've set cakewalk to use ASIO driver using 21ms to 170ms latencey, all with pretty much the same result.

I'd appreciate any basic pointers in how to get stable output from this
thanks!

Russ · Jan 11, 2006, 12:21 AM

I do not have Cakewalk, so I cannot tell you anything specifc to using Cakewalk (someone else may have some tips regarding that), but it is not just the latency that effects performance, it is also the number of ASIO ports enabled in the host software and the format used.

i.e.
In your ASIO host software, enable only the ASIO ports that you are using.
In the kX Asio Control Panel, try setting the format to '16 Bit / 48 kHz [8+8]' rather than '16 Bit / 48 kHz [16+16]' (which I think is the default setting).

thomasabarnes · Jan 11, 2006, 01:24 AM

What CakeWalk App are you using?

kX works great with SONAR 4, and 5, kX driver version 3537, 3538h, or 3538i.

Is your PC optimized for audio programs?

Click on the link in my Sig for a link to the kX and SONAR setup guide I wrote, and to see the link to the site for optimizing your PC for audio programs (bottom of SONAR and kX Setup Guide 1st page, not the Home page).

jaz000 · Jan 11, 2006, 10:57 PM

Hi - thanks for your suggestions

I've done "most of" this xp tuning tips from here
http://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.php

In fact, knowing my way round windows I'd done a lot of those already. I'm good at keeping my system clean of un-necessary processes.

In the ASIO control panel I don't see exactly how to set the formatt to '16 Bit / 48 kHz [8+8]' rather than '16 Bit / 48 kHz [16+16]'. running kx driver 3537 in the control panel I set the latency to 21/42ms (for example, tried others) 48000khz

The cakewalk music creator settings are similar to sonar. Interrestingly under advanced the options the "full chase lock" which you have selected doesn't stick (unselected each time I open the audio settings).

Nothing is really changing anything.

The annoying thing is I can select a VST instrument an play it to my hearts content from my midi keyboard input with no problems, but sequence a simple loop and it stutters, goes up in pitch on loop and then stops the audio engine with "dropout".

FWIW Win XP SP2 AMD 3200+ Cakewalk Music Creator[color=#800000]
[/color]

jaz000 · Jan 11, 2006, 11:30 PM

also tried driver version 3534 - no difference :-(

thomasabarnes · Jan 11, 2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaz000

The annoying thing is I can select a VST instrument an play it to my hearts content from my midi keyboard input with no problems, but sequence a simple loop and it stutters, goes up in pitch on loop and then stops the audio engine with "dropout".[color=#800000]
[/color]

Sounds like you may need to try running a Standard PC configuration , instead of the ACPI PC configuration. I wonder if your audio and MIDI sync is off too?

This is usually a problem with motherboards made before 2003. I bought my PC in 2002, and had crazy pops and clicks and no audio and MIDI sync, so I had to switch to a Standard PC configuration, and the PC has been running like a charm ever since.

EDIT:

See the ACPI or Standard PC section of the MusicXP Guide for installation instruction for a Standard PC configuration. It will be your decision if you try Standard PC config. I bought my PC to be primarily for music production, so trying a Standad PC config was but a little thing to me, to get my system running right.

Goodluck

EDIT 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaz000

In the ASIO control panel I don't see exactly how to set the formatt to '16 Bit / 48 kHz [8+8]' rather than '16 Bit / 48 kHz [16+16]'. running kx driver 3537 in the control panel I set the latency to 21/42ms (for example, tried others) 48000khz

[color=#800000][/color]

I believe this is a function implemented only with 3538x versions of the kX Driver

Maddogg6 · Jan 12, 2006, 12:16 AM

ALSO - no matter HOW fast a machine -

SEAMLESS MIDI loops in sonar - as a rule of thumb is ok - but for VSTi - I almost always get a glitch (slight to drastic depending on VSTi) - to avoid this, make loops NOT seamless and pad the loop with a measure at begin and end.
DXi is less so.

OR paste multple instances of the clip on the timeline - an NOT MIDI loop.

Jan 10, 2006, 11:25 PM	#1
jaz000 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	cakewalk, vst, dxi, clicks and pops help! I need basic Help I'm afraid! I'm trying to use VST and DXi instruments in cakewalk using the kx project driver and my trusty old Sblive value! In cakewalk everything works fine for playing a few bars on a VST instrument, but then (normally when the loop skips back to the start) it goes up in pitch and has lots of clicks and pops ... I've tried just about every setting, but curently I've set cakewalk to use ASIO driver using 21ms to 170ms latencey, all with pretty much the same result. I'd appreciate any basic pointers in how to get stable output from this thanks!

Jan 11, 2006, 01:24 AM	#3
thomasabarnes Long Time ***** Friend Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,375 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	What CakeWalk App are you using? kX works great with SONAR 4, and 5, kX driver version 3537, 3538h, or 3538i. Is your PC optimized for audio programs? Click on the link in my Sig for a link to the kX and SONAR setup guide I wrote, and to see the link to the site for optimizing your PC for audio programs (bottom of SONAR and kX Setup Guide 1st page, not the Home page). __________________ May a song always touch you in a positive way. SONAR X1D Expanded, Windows 7 Pro 64Bit, MOTU UltraLite MK3, 150 GB HDD, 250 GB HDD, 1 TB x2 HDD 7200 rpm My Music Production: Top 40, Contemporary Christian, Pop/Rock, Decent Rap, Inspirationals, and Children Songs

Jan 11, 2006, 12:21 AM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,561 Rep Power: 62	I do not have Cakewalk, so I cannot tell you anything specifc to using Cakewalk (someone else may have some tips regarding that), but it is not just the latency that effects performance, it is also the number of ASIO ports enabled in the host software and the format used. i.e. In your ASIO host software, enable only the ASIO ports that you are using. In the kX Asio Control Panel, try setting the format to '16 Bit / 48 kHz [8+8]' rather than '16 Bit / 48 kHz [16+16]' (which I think is the default setting).

Jan 11, 2006, 10:57 PM	Thread Starter #4
jaz000 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Hi - thanks for your suggestions I've done "most of" this xp tuning tips from here http://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.php In fact, knowing my way round windows I'd done a lot of those already. I'm good at keeping my system clean of un-necessary processes. In the ASIO control panel I don't see exactly how to set the formatt to '16 Bit / 48 kHz [8+8]' rather than '16 Bit / 48 kHz [16+16]'. running kx driver 3537 in the control panel I set the latency to 21/42ms (for example, tried others) 48000khz The cakewalk music creator settings are similar to sonar. Interrestingly under advanced the options the "full chase lock" which you have selected doesn't stick (unselected each time I open the audio settings). Nothing is really changing anything. The annoying thing is I can select a VST instrument an play it to my hearts content from my midi keyboard input with no problems, but sequence a simple loop and it stutters, goes up in pitch on loop and then stops the audio engine with "dropout". FWIW Win XP SP2 AMD 3200+ Cakewalk Music Creator[color=#800000] [/color]

Jan 11, 2006, 11:30 PM	Thread Starter #5
jaz000 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	also tried driver version 3534 - no difference :-(

Jan 12, 2006, 12:16 AM	#7
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	ALSO - no matter HOW fast a machine - SEAMLESS MIDI loops in sonar - as a rule of thumb is ok - but for VSTi - I almost always get a glitch (slight to drastic depending on VSTi) - to avoid this, make loops NOT seamless and pad the loop with a measure at begin and end. DXi is less so. OR paste multple instances of the clip on the timeline - an NOT MIDI loop.