FL Studio and Kx Drivers

CjRage · May 29, 2005, 02:38 PM

Hello Guys!
I've gotta problem with FL Studio and Kx Drivers

The problem is in that sound that FL gives under that drivers.
When i plug more than 4-5 VST instruments the sound become really choppy. Even if sampling rate is set to maximum.

I've got an Audigy 2 ZS on Pentium 3.2, with 1 Gb of Ram

With standard creative drivers the problem also appears.

What settings could I use to solve that?

TravelRec. · May 29, 2005, 06:17 PM

Set sample rate to 48000 Hz, use only as many ASIO in´s ´n out´s you need. Increase the latency to 10 or 20 ms, for playback this is no problem. Increase the buffer in FL a bit.

nakamichi · May 29, 2005, 08:29 PM

Here's a ton of tips I use to run FLStudio smooth as silk with kX drivers ) from my experience):

Set your PC and FLStudio like this:

- set ASIO output 16bit 48kHz 2+2 outputs
- set FLStudio to HIGH priority in Task Manager
- set your Windows XP to reserve more processing power for BACKGROUND SERVICES,not programs
- disable Smooth Scrolling in FLStudio
- Use Smart Disable for all plugins in FLStudio (option accesible in the FL Mixer Menu)
- set ASIO latency buffer to 10ms first.If it works for you without cracks,lower it and test again until you find the minimum possible latency without glitching.If 10ms doesn't work for you,use 16ms or even 20ms.
- USE HYPERTHREADING (SMP) Sync modes in your ASIO control panel,NOT the Default mode0 if you have a Hyperthreading Pentium4 CPU.
- Use the LATEST version of FLStudio
- Set the sampler interpolation for PLAYBACK to Linear or Hermite.DON"T EVER USE SYNC INTERPOLATION - slow as a snail.
- Make sure you set your Windows virtual memory to a FIXED size,not managed by Windows,but Manually to 768MB or more.
- Make sure you have A LOT of RAM if you use hungry VSTi like Voxengo Pristine Space Reverb (set Calc to SSE there),or use multiple VSTi synth channels like 12 channels of LinPlug Albino 2. 512MB of RAM is bare minimum even with highly optimized LIGHT Windows XP installations. 1GB of RAM is optimum.
- For FAST rendering of songs with many VST synth channels,1GB of RAM MINIMUM is recommended.
- Make sure you have FAST RAM (Dual Channel DDR400 or better) when using convolution reverbs like Voxengo Pristine Space for optimum performance.
It works like a charm for me I get it working on an AMD AthlonXP 2200+ with 512MB RAM from 1ms (Soundfonts,Samplers or few VSTi) up to 16ms latency (24 channels and LOADS of VSTi) (depends on the project).
- DO NOT Set Timebase (PPQ) in FLStudio to a high value.This consumes more CPU power.
- DISABLE MIDI OUTPUT if you don't use it.Saves valuable resources.
- You can even set FLStudio to Realtime Priority for best performance (not recommended on non-HT or non-SMP/Multicore machines)

You can try also these more radical Windows optimization methods:
- Make your own LIGHT Audio XP installation by using nLite.
- Use tweakers like X-Setup Pro,Tweak-XP Pro and WinXP Manager after this.
- Set visual effects - optimize for best performance and use Classic Windows 2000 theme.
- Kill the explorer.exe process with the Task Manager after starting FLStudio.

Happy and SPEEDY music making!
Nakamichi

nakamichi · May 29, 2005, 08:44 PM

Even More Tips from me:
- If you have 1GB or 2GB of RAM,you can DISABLE the Windows virtual memory completely. It does not decrease stability as someone says,because Windows STILL uses a swap file even after disabling the VM.It's much faster for me without VM.
- Do NOT ever use anything like a Firewall,Antivirus,resident anti-spyware or anything else in your Audio Windows XP installation.
- If you don't mind the 100% CPU usage all the time,use Thread Mode setting in kX ASIO Control Panel.It enables me to get 0.6ms of latency this way.Good for non-HT P4 or AMD processors.
- Defragment (optimize) your RAM as well for better performance

-

CjRage · May 29, 2005, 10:22 PM

Thanks nakamichi, for really great and full answer

.
But i feel like lamer in that things. I don't know how to do many things of that you said

.

How to set virtual memory to fixed size?

I don't know how to set ASIO output 16bit 48kHz 2+2 outputs and where is that control panel!

Oh I even don't know what ASIO means!

Could you share with me yours 'settings of KX drivers' please?

nakamichi · May 31, 2005, 03:15 AM

To optimize your Windows XP,go to http://www.musicxp.net and read it all.
There you'll find most of the things you need to do.

For setting ASIO panel,read the HELP file which comes with your kX drivers,and visit www.kxproject.com and learn all about it in the FAQ,Knowledgebase and help.

And,read the FLStudio help file thoroughly.It will help you big time.

More than enough for newbies like you.

Nakamichi

nakamichi · May 31, 2005, 08:59 PM

Optimize RAM with TweakRAM:
http://www.elcor.net/

M4rtijn · Jul 1, 2005, 12:33 PM

So-called memory managers/optimizers/tweakers like TweakRAM give absolutely no improvement.
They just give an impression of "more free memory" while all they do is allocate and
release a large chunck of memory, forcing other code to the swapdisk. Windows is well
capable of managing the memory by itself. If you run out of memory, buy and install more.

May 29, 2005, 02:38 PM	#1
CjRage DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	FL Studio and Kx Drivers Hello Guys! I've gotta problem with FL Studio and Kx Drivers The problem is in that sound that FL gives under that drivers. When i plug more than 4-5 VST instruments the sound become really choppy. Even if sampling rate is set to maximum. I've got an Audigy 2 ZS on Pentium 3.2, with 1 Gb of Ram With standard creative drivers the problem also appears. What settings could I use to solve that?

May 29, 2005, 06:17 PM	#2
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	Set sample rate to 48000 Hz, use only as many ASIO in´s ´n out´s you need. Increase the latency to 10 or 20 ms, for playback this is no problem. Increase the buffer in FL a bit. __________________ Always take a look behind.

May 29, 2005, 08:29 PM	#3
nakamichi HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 122 Rep Power: 0	Here's a ton of tips I use to run FLStudio smooth as silk with kX drivers ) from my experience): Set your PC and FLStudio like this: - set ASIO output 16bit 48kHz 2+2 outputs - set FLStudio to HIGH priority in Task Manager - set your Windows XP to reserve more processing power for BACKGROUND SERVICES,not programs - disable Smooth Scrolling in FLStudio - Use Smart Disable for all plugins in FLStudio (option accesible in the FL Mixer Menu) - set ASIO latency buffer to 10ms first.If it works for you without cracks,lower it and test again until you find the minimum possible latency without glitching.If 10ms doesn't work for you,use 16ms or even 20ms. - USE HYPERTHREADING (SMP) Sync modes in your ASIO control panel,NOT the Default mode0 if you have a Hyperthreading Pentium4 CPU. - Use the LATEST version of FLStudio - Set the sampler interpolation for PLAYBACK to Linear or Hermite.DON"T EVER USE SYNC INTERPOLATION - slow as a snail. - Make sure you set your Windows virtual memory to a FIXED size,not managed by Windows,but Manually to 768MB or more. - Make sure you have A LOT of RAM if you use hungry VSTi like Voxengo Pristine Space Reverb (set Calc to SSE there),or use multiple VSTi synth channels like 12 channels of LinPlug Albino 2. 512MB of RAM is bare minimum even with highly optimized LIGHT Windows XP installations. 1GB of RAM is optimum. - For FAST rendering of songs with many VST synth channels,1GB of RAM MINIMUM is recommended. - Make sure you have FAST RAM (Dual Channel DDR400 or better) when using convolution reverbs like Voxengo Pristine Space for optimum performance. It works like a charm for me I get it working on an AMD AthlonXP 2200+ with 512MB RAM from 1ms (Soundfonts,Samplers or few VSTi) up to 16ms latency (24 channels and LOADS of VSTi) (depends on the project). - DO NOT Set Timebase (PPQ) in FLStudio to a high value.This consumes more CPU power. - DISABLE MIDI OUTPUT if you don't use it.Saves valuable resources. - You can even set FLStudio to Realtime Priority for best performance (not recommended on non-HT or non-SMP/Multicore machines) You can try also these more radical Windows optimization methods: - Make your own LIGHT Audio XP installation by using nLite. - Use tweakers like X-Setup Pro,Tweak-XP Pro and WinXP Manager after this. - Set visual effects - optimize for best performance and use Classic Windows 2000 theme. - Kill the explorer.exe process with the Task Manager after starting FLStudio. Happy and SPEEDY music making! Nakamichi

May 29, 2005, 08:44 PM	#4
nakamichi HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 122 Rep Power: 0	Even More Tips from me: - If you have 1GB or 2GB of RAM,you can DISABLE the Windows virtual memory completely. It does not decrease stability as someone says,because Windows STILL uses a swap file even after disabling the VM.It's much faster for me without VM. - Do NOT ever use anything like a Firewall,Antivirus,resident anti-spyware or anything else in your Audio Windows XP installation. - If you don't mind the 100% CPU usage all the time,use Thread Mode setting in kX ASIO Control Panel.It enables me to get 0.6ms of latency this way.Good for non-HT P4 or AMD processors. - Defragment (optimize) your RAM as well for better performance -

May 29, 2005, 10:22 PM	Thread Starter #5
CjRage DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Thanks nakamichi, for really great and full answer . But i feel like lamer in that things. I don't know how to do many things of that you said . How to set virtual memory to fixed size? I don't know how to set ASIO output 16bit 48kHz 2+2 outputs and where is that control panel! Oh I even don't know what ASIO means! Could you share with me yours 'settings of KX drivers' please?

May 31, 2005, 03:15 AM	#6
nakamichi HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 122 Rep Power: 0	To optimize your Windows XP,go to http://www.musicxp.net and read it all. There you'll find most of the things you need to do. For setting ASIO panel,read the HELP file which comes with your kX drivers,and visit www.kxproject.com and learn all about it in the FAQ,Knowledgebase and help. And,read the FLStudio help file thoroughly.It will help you big time. More than enough for newbies like you. Nakamichi

May 31, 2005, 08:59 PM	#7
nakamichi HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 122 Rep Power: 0	Optimize RAM with TweakRAM: http://www.elcor.net/

Jul 1, 2005, 12:33 PM	#8
M4rtijn DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	So-called memory managers/optimizers/tweakers like TweakRAM give absolutely no improvement. They just give an impression of "more free memory" while all they do is allocate and release a large chunck of memory, forcing other code to the swapdisk. Windows is well capable of managing the memory by itself. If you run out of memory, buy and install more.