random crack noises from time to time

gubbel · Jul 4, 2003, 03:21 AM

Hi,

first, let me thank you for this great driver. Although it is already working quite good for me (I am especially using the driver to play a MIDI keyboard on a software synthesizer in realtime), I am still having some problems with loud random crack noises which occur from time to time (about every 10 to 20 minutes). I firstly encountered these when playing the game StarCraft, but they also seem to occur when playing the MIDI keyboard or a simple sample with Winamp.

My configuration:

kx-Driver:
Version: 5, 10, 00, 3533 - debug
Kompiliert: May 28 2003 00:31:51

PC Components:
Creative SoundBlaster Live! (Emu10k1)
Creative FourPoint Surround Speakers
Yamaha Digital Receiver connected to SPDIF out
MIDI keyboard connected to MIDI in
Asus P4P800 Mainboard / 1 GB RAM / 2,6 Ghz P4 CPU / 200 Mhz FSB / onboard sound disabled / HyperThreading enabled
Hauppauge WinTV Nova (digital TV card, DVB-S standard)
G-Force Ti 4200 Graphics card, latest drivers from nvidia.com

Software:
Windows XP Prof. / SP1 / some hotfixes
DirectX 9.0a
Some drivers for additional components (onboard LAN, chipset driver, USB Bluetooth stick + Bluetooth stack, USB webcam, USB scanner - shouldn't interfere with sound card drivers..)

Maybe someone has any idea how to fix this problem? I'd appreciate any help!

XDread · Jul 4, 2003, 09:47 PM

I suggest you to play with the buffer settings. If the buffer is too small, then you will experience clicks in the sound because of buffer underruns.

Buffer settings can be changed through the kx mixer system tray menu.

CyberGene · Jul 16, 2003, 10:10 AM

Hi Xdread,

I think I have the same problem as gubbel and it is probably not what you may think. It is not the usual buffer overrun you may perceive when the latency is too small. I even have this problem when I am watching movie or listening to Winamp but in these cases it is very rare, however it occurs say once a day if I listen to Winamp the whole day. And it occurs more frequently if I play The Grand in Cubase SX or some VST instrument at all. It is 2-3 seconds buzz which is, according to me, the looped part of the last 20-30 ms, and I am still not sure since this sound is always too loud and annoying. I have played piano to my friends and it occured at a very subtle and lyrical passage of a Chopin piece, such a shame... I felt like an idiot, because it distorted the whole piece

This buzz sounds like your computer has crashed, but when it occured during movie playing, the picture was moving without problem, so apparently the sound is broken only. And I have this problem after I installed the kX driver.

My configuration is:

MB - Gigabyte 7VAXP
CPU - Athlon XP 2200+
RAM - 1GB DDR333 Jetram (2 modules)
HDD - Maxtor 80GB, 7200, ATA133, 8MB cache
Sound - Audigy SB0092
Video - Gigabyte Radeon 9000

XDread · Jul 16, 2003, 10:48 PM

Hmm...

Perhaps it really is that your system is locking up for short periods of time for some reason. Perhaps a IRQ problem or something?

If that is the cause (system lock-up), then I would try to see if there are some conlicts between some of your hardware units. I would upgrade all drivers to the latest version, install service pack with updates. There are a lot of things that may cause such problems, and they are generally hard to track down.

If all else fails, I would perhaps try to rearrange the cards inside of your computer and then reinstall it. PCI ports are often arranged in pairs using the same IRQ for a pair. Make sure when you do this that your sound-card is on a pair of its own. (Thus making a free slot that is never to be used.) This way

During the lockups, does the mouse or anything animate on-screen freeze?

CyberGene · Jul 17, 2003, 09:33 AM

Ok,

I will try to update my drivers. I am using Windos XP SP1 and it is updated frequently via Windows Update Site. How can I understand which PCI slots are pairs? During these lockups I am usually playing the MIDI keyboard and haven't noticed whether the mouse has been frozen, but as far as I can remember, once I watched movie and when it happened the picture was going smoothly without freeze and only the sound was doing the crazy thing. I will try some things and then will share my experience, thank you!

XDread · Jul 17, 2003, 04:50 PM

You can see in the BIOS which ports are paired, but if it is like you say that the sound is the only thing that freezes for a brief moment, i don't think it has to do with hardware or IRQ conflicts.

Since it happens in different programs, it is not a bug in a certain application either. Try to install an older version of the kX driver perhaps? First try a recent old build, then perhaps a really old one to see if there are any differences?

Jul 4, 2003, 03:21 AM	#1
gubbel DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	random crack noises from time to time Hi, first, let me thank you for this great driver. Although it is already working quite good for me (I am especially using the driver to play a MIDI keyboard on a software synthesizer in realtime), I am still having some problems with loud random crack noises which occur from time to time (about every 10 to 20 minutes). I firstly encountered these when playing the game StarCraft, but they also seem to occur when playing the MIDI keyboard or a simple sample with Winamp. My configuration: kx-Driver: Version: 5, 10, 00, 3533 - debug Kompiliert: May 28 2003 00:31:51 PC Components: Creative SoundBlaster Live! (Emu10k1) Creative FourPoint Surround Speakers Yamaha Digital Receiver connected to SPDIF out MIDI keyboard connected to MIDI in Asus P4P800 Mainboard / 1 GB RAM / 2,6 Ghz P4 CPU / 200 Mhz FSB / onboard sound disabled / HyperThreading enabled Hauppauge WinTV Nova (digital TV card, DVB-S standard) G-Force Ti 4200 Graphics card, latest drivers from nvidia.com Software: Windows XP Prof. / SP1 / some hotfixes DirectX 9.0a Some drivers for additional components (onboard LAN, chipset driver, USB Bluetooth stick + Bluetooth stack, USB webcam, USB scanner - shouldn't interfere with sound card drivers..) Maybe someone has any idea how to fix this problem? I'd appreciate any help!

Jul 16, 2003, 10:48 PM	#4
XDread DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 146 Rep Power: 0	Hmm... Perhaps it really is that your system is locking up for short periods of time for some reason. Perhaps a IRQ problem or something? If that is the cause (system lock-up), then I would try to see if there are some conlicts between some of your hardware units. I would upgrade all drivers to the latest version, install service pack with updates. There are a lot of things that may cause such problems, and they are generally hard to track down. If all else fails, I would perhaps try to rearrange the cards inside of your computer and then reinstall it. PCI ports are often arranged in pairs using the same IRQ for a pair. Make sure when you do this that your sound-card is on a pair of its own. (Thus making a free slot that is never to be used.) This way During the lockups, does the mouse or anything animate on-screen freeze? Last edited by XDread; Jul 16, 2003 at 10:54 PM.

Jul 4, 2003, 09:47 PM	#2
XDread DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 146 Rep Power: 0	I suggest you to play with the buffer settings. If the buffer is too small, then you will experience clicks in the sound because of buffer underruns. Buffer settings can be changed through the kx mixer system tray menu.

Jul 16, 2003, 10:10 AM	#3
CyberGene DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Hi Xdread, I think I have the same problem as gubbel and it is probably not what you may think. It is not the usual buffer overrun you may perceive when the latency is too small. I even have this problem when I am watching movie or listening to Winamp but in these cases it is very rare, however it occurs say once a day if I listen to Winamp the whole day. And it occurs more frequently if I play The Grand in Cubase SX or some VST instrument at all. It is 2-3 seconds buzz which is, according to me, the looped part of the last 20-30 ms, and I am still not sure since this sound is always too loud and annoying. I have played piano to my friends and it occured at a very subtle and lyrical passage of a Chopin piece, such a shame... I felt like an idiot, because it distorted the whole piece This buzz sounds like your computer has crashed, but when it occured during movie playing, the picture was moving without problem, so apparently the sound is broken only. And I have this problem after I installed the kX driver. My configuration is: MB - Gigabyte 7VAXP CPU - Athlon XP 2200+ RAM - 1GB DDR333 Jetram (2 modules) HDD - Maxtor 80GB, 7200, ATA133, 8MB cache Sound - Audigy SB0092 Video - Gigabyte Radeon 9000

Jul 17, 2003, 09:33 AM	#5
CyberGene DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Ok, I will try to update my drivers. I am using Windos XP SP1 and it is updated frequently via Windows Update Site. How can I understand which PCI slots are pairs? During these lockups I am usually playing the MIDI keyboard and haven't noticed whether the mouse has been frozen, but as far as I can remember, once I watched movie and when it happened the picture was going smoothly without freeze and only the sound was doing the crazy thing. I will try some things and then will share my experience, thank you!

Jul 17, 2003, 04:50 PM	#6
XDread DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 146 Rep Power: 0	You can see in the BIOS which ports are paired, but if it is like you say that the sound is the only thing that freezes for a brief moment, i don't think it has to do with hardware or IRQ conflicts. Since it happens in different programs, it is not a bug in a certain application either. Try to install an older version of the kX driver perhaps? First try a recent old build, then perhaps a really old one to see if there are any differences?