Sound cracks

CrendKing · Jul 7, 2005, 01:24 PM

I'm using kX Driver 3537, Audigy 2 ZS. When I am listening music, and when the sound goes high, there are a lot of noises in the headphone, especially the piano music (Surely my headphone is well working). . The noises like cracked sounds, like sound clips. I am considering if there is a kind of limiter component in kX DSP, that means, when the volume goes over a threshold, it limits the volume down to a level that clips not. Thank you!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 7, 2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrendKing

I'm using kX Driver 3537, Audigy 2 ZS. When I am listening music, and when the sound goes high, there are a lot of noises in the headphone, especially the piano music (Surely my headphone is well working). . The noises like cracked sounds, like sound clips. I am considering if there is a kind of limiter component in kX DSP, that means, when the volume goes over a threshold, it limits the volume down to a level that clips not. Thank you!

This really isn't my area of expertise and I could be wrong but useally cracking noises
can be becouse of the PCI latency. Use this tool and see what your latency is set to .
try a sligtly lower setting (should be like 32) see if it helps if it doesn't return the setting to what it was
before.http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=951

**dj_stick** · Jul 8, 2005, 12:21 AM

try reducing the master volume by 10% and hearing the results

CrendKing · Jul 8, 2005, 01:30 PM

to The_Neon_Cowboy:
I tried to change PCI Latency from originally 32 to 64, 128, and the problem stood still.

to dj_stick:
my main issue is, I want to reserve the master volume, maybe 50%, because I cannot hear many detail if the volume is low. And I want to eliminate the clips when the volume goes to high. Actually, I have insert a gainHQ between Src and FXMix. A possible solution is to regain all the albums, but it is not so good to me.

Thank all of you for replying. And could anybody help me?

Nappylady · Jul 8, 2005, 11:50 PM

Are you using the Timbre plugin to adjust the bass or treble? It's easy to cause clipping with this and other EQ plugins.

**dj_stick** · Jul 9, 2005, 12:17 AM

GainHQ could be the cause of your problem. Too much gain and you WILL clip

use an external amplifier or mixer to control the volume level

Jorgo · Jul 9, 2005, 02:14 AM

Deactivate the HLT cooling for your CPU... it's an AMD, right?

CrendKing · Jul 9, 2005, 09:24 PM

to Jorgo:

Ya guessed so, it is AMD, but I think it is not the problem

Actually I use gainHQ to reduce volume (usually -3dB). But while the volume goes down and clips disappear, I cannot hear some tracks which volume is originally low. Meanwhile, I do not use any Timbre, my DSP is Src -> gainHQ -> FXMix -> EQ P5 -> k2lt.

Is there any limiter or something alike? Thanks!

Maddogg6 · Jul 9, 2005, 11:49 PM

Insert the dynamics processor just before output - try the 'Normalizer' preset then tweak the Thresholds and gain. This preset will 'limit' and works pretty well from the get go.

A compressor is extrememly important to understand the proper use. BUT, can ONLY *fix* so much. If theres an instrument in a mix that isnt comming through, your better off re-mixing if possible.

btw: that dynamics processor is pretty cool.

CrendKing · Jul 10, 2005, 10:16 AM

Thanks, I think it works, sounds better. If I do only have 2 inputs, is the APS Compresser enough to use?

TravelRec. · Jul 10, 2005, 04:04 PM

Check with a level-meter (peak plugin) inside the DSP after each plugin, whether the signal is clipping (above or at 0db). If so, reduce the level that is going into the plugin or inside the plugin itself. Use a compressor (or dynamic processor) as the first stage to make weak sound louder and loud sound less critical and then feed the processed signal into well tweaked following plugins, so your signal never can clip in the whole signal path, no matter what kind of sound is getting in. As a rule: begin with a clean signal on the first stage and make sure it is okay before and after each following stage. Don´t try to make an always distorted signal better at the end of a signal path.

Maddogg6 · Jul 10, 2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelRec.

Check with a level-meter (peak plugin) inside the DSP after each plugin, whether the signal is clipping (above or at 0db). If so, reduce the level that is going into the plugin or inside the plugin itself. Use a compressor (or dynamic processor) as the first stage to make weak sound louder and loud sound less critical and then feed the processed signal into well tweaked following plugins, so your signal never can clip in the whole signal path, no matter what kind of sound is getting in. As a rule: begin with a clean signal on the first stage and make sure it is okay before and after each following stage. Don´t try to make an always distorted signal better at the end of a signal path.

Definitly good points here, but as he stated he using JUST Src -> gainHQ -> FXMix -> EQ P5 -> k2lt. And was indicated before that the GainHQ was the source of the clipping and was no longer the 'culprit'. But then turned to a *new* pronblem.

There are 2 possible ways of using a compressor. Before and after the mix, and will yeild very different results. Thus, my statement of 'proper' compressor use, and the understanding of it.

Using a compressor before mixing will ONLY compress the input that its connected to - like a VSTi on say ASIO 9/10. Or say just the hw synth(s).
This can help 'bring out' a weak instrument in a mix.

If insert at LAST satage before out put can *help* even out a mix and limit the out put to prevent overdriving the amp connected to the sound cards outputs.

Not all compressors will limit, but many hardware/rack mount units will in Pro-Am markets anyway. They are usually called compressor/limiters.

The APS compressor is much more simpler (uses less resources, probably?) than the dynamics processor. The APS compressor doesnt look like it would 'LIMIT' like the dynamics processor does. So, unless theres a simple limiter (I didnt see one.), use the dynamics processor.

I would suggest (because of hw resource use) using APS compressor(s) (compressor+ if you need side-chain) on the input side (before FXMIX) and the dynamic processor after FXMIX.

This is not set in stone and you are encouraged to play around to find what works for you.

Maddogg6 · Jul 10, 2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrendKing

Thanks, I think it works, sounds better. If I do only have 2 inputs, is the APS Compresser enough to use?

I dont beleive that would work because I dont think the APS compressor will 'LIMIT', which I think is important for what you have described.

The things I would try.

1) Connect an APS compressor to the input that is weak before FXMIX.

2) try disconnecting the DP (or bypass)

- so try the combination of - Compress the weak input & 'LIMIT' the output.

CrendKing · Jul 11, 2005, 07:55 AM

Thank you all, especially Maddogg6! Problem resolved. I found the Dynamics Processor is pretty cool!

I think I am just a newbie about kX Driver, though I begin using kX since the Live! time. There are many components in kX DSP to be chosen, and each component has many options to be tweaked, I just know few of them. I am always thinking that why there is not a complete manual about each component's usage, tweak way, and even programming points, writen by Eugene Gavrilov and each component's creator. I think it will be a BIBLE of every kX user, right?

Maddogg6 · Jul 11, 2005, 10:45 PM

Glad to be of help, so the real brains here can help me with things i dont understand yet.

kchaos · Dec 23, 2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorgo

Deactivate the HLT cooling for your CPU... it's an AMD, right?

HOW? what is HLT cooling?

Hi! I am new to this forum and I am experiencing some cracks while playing Gigasampler through Sonar 4.0.4.

Jul 7, 2005, 01:24 PM	#1
CrendKing DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Sound cracks I'm using kX Driver 3537, Audigy 2 ZS. When I am listening music, and when the sound goes high, there are a lot of noises in the headphone, especially the piano music (Surely my headphone is well working). . The noises like cracked sounds, like sound clips. I am considering if there is a kind of limiter component in kX DSP, that means, when the volume goes over a threshold, it limits the volume down to a level that clips not. Thank you!

Jul 9, 2005, 11:49 PM	#9
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Insert the dynamics processor just before output - try the 'Normalizer' preset then tweak the Thresholds and gain. This preset will 'limit' and works pretty well from the get go. A compressor is extrememly important to understand the proper use. BUT, can ONLY fix so much. If theres an instrument in a mix that isnt comming through, your better off re-mixing if possible. btw: that dynamics processor is pretty cool. Last edited by Maddogg6; Jul 9, 2005 at 11:57 PM.

Jul 10, 2005, 04:04 PM	#11
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	Check with a level-meter (peak plugin) inside the DSP after each plugin, whether the signal is clipping (above or at 0db). If so, reduce the level that is going into the plugin or inside the plugin itself. Use a compressor (or dynamic processor) as the first stage to make weak sound louder and loud sound less critical and then feed the processed signal into well tweaked following plugins, so your signal never can clip in the whole signal path, no matter what kind of sound is getting in. As a rule: begin with a clean signal on the first stage and make sure it is okay before and after each following stage. Don´t try to make an always distorted signal better at the end of a signal path. __________________ Always take a look behind.

Jul 8, 2005, 01:30 PM	Thread Starter #4
CrendKing DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	to The_Neon_Cowboy: I tried to change PCI Latency from originally 32 to 64, 128, and the problem stood still. to dj_stick: my main issue is, I want to reserve the master volume, maybe 50%, because I cannot hear many detail if the volume is low. And I want to eliminate the clips when the volume goes to high. Actually, I have insert a gainHQ between Src and FXMix. A possible solution is to regain all the albums, but it is not so good to me. Thank all of you for replying. And could anybody help me?

Jul 8, 2005, 11:50 PM	#5
Nappylady DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 257 Rep Power: 0	Are you using the Timbre plugin to adjust the bass or treble? It's easy to cause clipping with this and other EQ plugins.

Jul 9, 2005, 02:14 AM	#7
Jorgo HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	Deactivate the HLT cooling for your CPU... it's an AMD, right?

Jul 9, 2005, 09:24 PM	Thread Starter #8
CrendKing DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	to Jorgo: Ya guessed so, it is AMD, but I think it is not the problem Actually I use gainHQ to reduce volume (usually -3dB). But while the volume goes down and clips disappear, I cannot hear some tracks which volume is originally low. Meanwhile, I do not use any Timbre, my DSP is Src -> gainHQ -> FXMix -> EQ P5 -> k2lt. Is there any limiter or something alike? Thanks!

Jul 10, 2005, 10:16 AM	Thread Starter #10
CrendKing DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thanks, I think it works, sounds better. If I do only have 2 inputs, is the APS Compresser enough to use?

Jul 11, 2005, 07:55 AM	Thread Starter #14
CrendKing DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thank you all, especially Maddogg6! Problem resolved. I found the Dynamics Processor is pretty cool! I think I am just a newbie about kX Driver, though I begin using kX since the Live! time. There are many components in kX DSP to be chosen, and each component has many options to be tweaked, I just know few of them. I am always thinking that why there is not a complete manual about each component's usage, tweak way, and even programming points, writen by Eugene Gavrilov and each component's creator. I think it will be a BIBLE of every kX user, right?

Jul 11, 2005, 10:45 PM	#15
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Glad to be of help, so the real brains here can help me with things i dont understand yet.