ezeeri

I've got a problem with all reverbs
ReverbLite, EFX ReverbStation and APS Everb is generating cracks even there is no input signal connected to it.
Other effects are working well.
I've recorded this signal (Reverblite connected directly to K2it recording without input signal to reverb cube and without any mixers between)
Right channel is connected from reverb, and left is disconnected (only internal noise)
First 5 seconds of file is the signal as is, and the next 5 seconds is signal amplified +40dB where you can hear internal noise and the cracks on right channell even with poor quality speakers.
When there is a input signal connected do reverb cracks are much louder and more frequent

www.czaplinski.info/kx.mp3 (300kb)
www.czaplinski.info/kx.wav (same in wave 1.7Mb)

If recorded stereo L&R cracks have similar frequency but not synchronized peaks.
When I'm using mixer to mix OUTFL+OUTRL there is no crack hearable, but mixer shows the peaks (ideal oposite phases of cracks)

Im using win7 64bit
KX is showing SB0243 10k2 [2000] (I do not remember what which audigy model it is)
The same problem on 3550 and 3550.
I cannot tell when it has started becouse for few years I was not using DSP KX mixer. Few years ago there was no such problem on XP or VISTA.

I know that it may be some kind of soundcard damage, but maybe someone know how to check it out.
Thank you for help.

Russ

What reverb settings are you using? With some settings (e.g. too much feedback), reverbs can be made unstable (i.e. they will produce output forever, even when the input signal is removed).

ezeeri

This record was made with Reverb Lite added without any changes in setting sliders and no input was connected. Same thing with other reverb plugs. It just generate this cracks after I add it and connect its output to k2it (mixer does not change effect).
I add two reverbs at the sime time, booth are generating cracks.
Ive just found that delay is also generating this cracks (I was not using delays)

It is strange for me. So I'm prognosing a hardware problem. Im KX user for years and I do not remember thing like that (I was using win millenium/XP/VISTA 64 and 32bit versions and few models of LIVE and AUdigy)

Tyrsonswood

I just listened to these and especially on the second one the crackles are there before the reverb is connected. Reverb just makes them worse. Windows 7 seems to have noise issues that the earlier versions didn't have, especially with this older gear and it's not "sound card damage" it's the way master mixer in Win7 is programed/written (whatever)

If you are running stereo output try SPDIF/AC3 as your default output device in windows audio control panel (// control panel/sound/playback) and see if that makes any difference.

__________________

Russ

Both reverb and delay use XTRAM (TRAM in host memory), so it is possible there is some issue with XTRAM with the 64 bit version of kX (or it may be something specific with your system or sound card). It is hard to say without feedback from other users of the 64 bit version of kX, etc.

Have you tried moving the card to a different PCI slot?

RPGWiZaRD

For me CLEAX2Reverb plugin and "auditorium" setting and controlling the reverb volume thanks to FXMix2 has worked PERFECT for me on Win 7 x64, better reverb effect I've never heard but what you try to explain is the pops and clicks you may get from Master Mixer, not from the plugins.

Russ

As I understand it, ezeeri indicated that no external input (i.e. no wave playback) is used in the recording.

Reverb is connected the whole time (the right channel in the recording), but nothing is connected to it's inputs. Only gain is increased after 5 seconds...

e.g. (something like this)
Nothing -> WinMM Recording (left channel)
Nothing -> Reverb -> GainHQ -> WinMM Recording (right channel)

ezeeri

Oh I did not tell it cleary. Recording is one chanel from reverb and one channel disconnected (not connected WINMMRecording) so it is cracks from reverb and internall noise.
Nothing -> WinMM Recording (left channel)
Nothing -> Reverb -> WinMM Recording (right channel)



I've noticed that there are some single cracks in playback of few FXBuses.
It is not so frequently like in reverb.
Few FX Buses are clear, and there are a bit of cracks (few pops per minute) when playing a wave. This are for egzample FXBus 6/7 have this pops on left chanel. It is 100% clear until playback any signal.

I'm almost sure that is hardware problem, but if there are any other sugestions please tell me

PS I will try to change PCI slot and tell about effects

ezeeri

Other PCI and still the same. I dont think it can be any BIOS option.

klarre15k

I have a dual core Athlon socket 939 and I get the same type of cracking sounds with reverb plugins if I use cool and quiet (reduces the clock rate of the cpu then idle). So try disable it i BIOS or disable in windows by selecting a high performance power scheme (power options in the control panel) and see if that helps

Win 7 has this downclocking feature turned on by default in the default power scheme while the cpu is always running at its maximum speed in Win XP (on my computer). Thats why you haven't heard the cracks in win XP i think.

I guess that the cracks you are hearing are coming from ripples in the power when the cpu is changing its voltage. But its only a theory I don't know why some plugins is affected and the majority not.

Russ

That is a good suggestion as other people have reported similar issues with SpeedStep, Cool 'n' Quiet, etc causing problems with XTRAM (though it was with the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook (PCMCIA devices)).

ezeeri

I have no idea what option I should disable. I've got two quad core Xeon station so the bios and voltage menagement may look different.
In this moment I removed Audigy and get EMU 1212m PCIe (but this cannot run with KX in this moment) there is internal signal (i see it on mixer but no input and output from card) But internal level meters show that reverb does not generate cracks.

Russ

It would depend on what processor you have (i.e Intel uses SpeedStep (EIST) and AMD uses Cool 'n' Quiet or PowerNow!)
My system is old and has none of this, so I can only give info that I find on the Internet.
It looks as though it is necessary to disable it both in the BIOS and in Windows.

As for the EMU card (I do not really know a lot about them, but), did you use edspctrl to initialize the card?
e.g.
edspctrl -defaults

ezeeri

EIST was disabled in BIOS .Changing of windows power options does not solve the problem but there are changes in frequency of cracks and it may be that the loudest cracks gone. It can be the good way to solve the problem.

Now I will try to back to configure EMU
No I dont use edsp so thank you for suggestion. It does not help in this moment (E-DSP card is not recognized) but I will search some more about this topic