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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Audio Card Issues
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 16 2014, 10:58 PM
I have a Steinberg CI2, which I use frequently and without problems on my desktop. It works perfectly without any issues. It's a USB card. However, I've previously used it with my laptop without any problems as well, about half a year or more ago. However whenever I use it with my laptop now it cuts off for a few seconds every now and again, sometimes more often than other times. It's quite annoying when one is trying to record or generally just practicing whatever.
I have tried updating drivers, reinstalling Windows, basically anything I could think of. Anyone know what's going on here and how I can possibly fix it? As said, it works perfectly on one computer, but on the other it just doesn't.
Posted by: Mertay Mar 16 2014, 11:01 PM
is it the same usb cable?
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 16 2014, 11:26 PM
Yep.
Also, in addition, if I record something and the audio cuts off for a few seconds, the recorded part is still being recorded while the sound is gone.
I have also tried different buffer sizes, but the issue remains though more frequent at lower settings than at higher settings. Weird thing is that it has worked perfectly in the past at 512.
Posted by: Mertay Mar 16 2014, 11:56 PM
Its seems like some program is being activated on the background automatically during the mute, follow visually the "process" tab on the task manager to see what it is when the sound mutes again.
This might have started by anything like an update, registry defrag etc. while you weren't recording with that computer. Happened to me and was a bit annoying to catch and fix but not so bad either 
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 16 2014, 11:58 PM
This might have started by anything like an update, registry defrag etc. while you weren't recording with that computer. Happened to me and was a bit annoying to catch and fix but not so bad either
What kind of thing am I looking for here?
Posted by: Mertay Mar 17 2014, 12:07 AM
Just open the task bar and the process tap I mentioned, click on the cpu tap there so you'll see what programs are being active. During the mute of sound, a program should appear using cpu and %99 thats the one causing the problem.
Fixing it depends on what the program is so please give us info on what it is before doing anything.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 12:12 AM
Fixing it depends on what the program is so please give us info on what it is before doing anything.
Just done that and nothing like that happens.
So that seems not to be an issue.
Posted by: Mertay Mar 17 2014, 12:27 AM
Thats ok, it might actually be a good thing as maybe its something much simpler to fix lets see what others can think of
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 12:33 AM
Actually, on second look, I get a spike in CPU use watching the CPU graph, but nothing in processes seem to trigger it. Now of course all of a sudden I very rarely get the sound cut out... as opposed to just earlier before this topic, where I'd get it like once a minute.
Posted by: jstcrsn Mar 17 2014, 01:05 AM
this is what was happening to mine ( here http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=51190 ) , I use Reaper and Audiobox.Thought I had it fixed after a driver update , but it started shortly after the update.
if ever find the cure , I would love to know and if I ever find out the problem I'll post it
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 01:37 AM
if ever find the cure , I would love to know and if I ever find out the problem I'll post it
Oh, yeah, I remember that topic now. It's a really annoying issue!
Posted by: Mertay Mar 17 2014, 01:46 AM
Unplug the internet and restart computer (don't open anything else like browser when the computer is started again) when you're going to record anything, not a solution but if works still useful
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 01:49 AM
I'll try it. I'm trying to make it a "attic practice room computer" (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=51594&hl=), so I'd like it to work properly instead of this annoyingness.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 17 2014, 06:33 AM
Get a mac!!! Seriously did you try the other suggestions I gave you in PM?
I have tried updating drivers, reinstalling Windows, basically anything I could think of. Anyone know what's going on here and how I can possibly fix it? As said, it works perfectly on one computer, but on the other it just doesn't.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 01:16 PM
Seriously did you try the other suggestions I gave you in PM?Hah! If I had that kinda of money I might have just done that. I don't, unfortunately!
I've tried all of your suggestions without any luck
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 01:52 PM
Cael (and jst) - just a quick thought...
Are you using a USB port that is connected directly to the MOBO or one that is on a port? If it's the latter try using the former and disconnect any USB device that you don't need. The CPU spike may be because you're not getting sufficient power to the audio device at those specific moments.
One thing - it may not be another USB device that is causing a drop in power if that is the problem - it may well be another peripheral and video cards are often an issue as they tend to be power hogs.
And if you're on Win 7 - Windows has a hotfix patch for audio devices using usb that have had CPU spikes. Heres the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981214/en-us
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:01 PM
Are you using a USB port that is connected directly to the MOBO or one that is on a port? If it's the latter try using the former and disconnect any USB device that you don't need. The CPU spike may be because you're not getting sufficient power to the audio device at those specific moments.
One thing - it may not be another USB device that is causing a drop in power if that is the problem - it may well be another peripheral and video cards are often an issue as they tend to be power hogs.
And if you're on Win 7 - Windows has a hotfix patch for audio devices using usb that have had CPU spikes. Heres the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981214/en-us
Thanks, Tony! I actually added you on Facebook to ask you if you had any idea. Chris Evans suggested I'd ask you.
I'm suspecting it to be an USB issue. I don't know how to see if it's connected directly to the motherboard or not though. I have 3 USB ports, but only 1 of them is working.
I'll try giving the video card solution a look and see how that pans out.
Also: Would I benefit anything from installing Windows 8 instead of Windows 7 in regards to these issues?
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 02:06 PM
I'd stay on Win 7 at least for now. Win 8 has it's own problems 
.
This thread may help identify the problem if not fix it as well
http://www.sysnative.com/forums/windows-7-|-windows-vista-tutorials/5721-how-to-diagnose-and-fix-high-dpc-latency-issues-with-wpa-windows-windows-vista-7-8-a.html
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:08 PM
Thanks, Tony. I'll give it a look and try out the things suggested in that thread.
Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 17 2014, 02:09 PM
One of "ghost issues". Very popular. Can't help unfortunately. Never found one common reason for this happening...
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:14 PM
It's weird though. I don't have any issues when using the same card on my desktop.
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 02:20 PM
Sadly that's often the way - too many variables in a pc and why Apple had their hardware locked down for so many years. Oh the joys of pc computers.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:23 PM
DPC Latency checker tells me there are some occasional issues - it shows spikes now and again. Drop outs haven't occured at the same time though.
Might it be something to do with the BIOS? I think there's an update on Packard Bell's website for the BIOS. I haven't installed that.
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 02:34 PM
Yes update the bios. It may help. Although I think the issue is more specific to the USB updatig the bios won't hurt.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:35 PM
Of course it's like going to the dentist... your tooth hurts for days before, but as soon as you get there it's gone and you can't figure out what it was. Something like that anyway. I'm only getting the issues VERY rarely now all of a sudden. It's still there, but doesn't occur as often.
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 02:42 PM
Except the toothache alwasy comes back after you get home...
Windows may have applied some hotfixes in the background if you let it update, which could be why you're seeing fewer issues. Or it's just windows being a pita as usual.
Life was a lot easier when we did everything in analogue and used reel to reels. You know where you are with a razor blade and tape...
... usually in A&E outpatients minus a finger and covered in blood 
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 02:47 PM
Windows may have applied some hotfixes in the background if you let it update, which could be why you're seeing fewer issues. Or it's just windows being a pita as usual.
Life was a lot easier when we did everything in analogue and used reel to reels. You know where you are with a razor blade and tape...
... usually in A&E outpatients minus a finger and covered in blood
Exactly! I'm sure once I take my laptop with me to the attic I'll have all sorts of issues again.
I'm pretty sure it's as updated as it can be now. I reinstalled everything the other day and have been updating and what not since then, but the issue have remained throughout and was there before I formatted the computer in a desperate hope that it was software interfering.
I've heard about those days and was told everything was much warmer in sound back then, but that everything is much easier and accessible now for a broader set of users.
Posted by: Sensible Jones Mar 17 2014, 02:50 PM
Ain't that the truth!!!Posted by: tonymiro Mar 17 2014, 04:03 PM
I'm pretty sure it's as updated as it can be now. I reinstalled everything the other day and have been updating and what not since then, but the issue have remained throughout and was there before I formatted the computer in a desperate hope that it was software interfering.
I've heard about those days and was told everything was much warmer in sound back then, but that everything is much easier and accessible now for a broader set of users.
Analogue is warmer and more musical than digital but some people prefer the latter. Things may not have been any easier but you used to get training in a studio and so you learnt how to gainstage, use a multimeter and so on. A big downside though was that for musicians recording etc was expensive as you either had to go in to a studio or buy a lot of hardware and have the room to house it all.
Nowadays it's much easier and cheaper to set up a home or project studio but a lot of people don't know a lot about the technical and engineering side. Many look to stuff on the internet for advice but a lot of that is cack.
Ain't that the truth!!!Makes it a lot easier giving someone the finger though mate
.Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 17 2014, 04:55 PM
Exactly Ben - the device itself is usually not a problem. To be honest form my personal statistics I can say that desktops are usually working correct...funny but even those with lower peripherals performance. I have one laptop with audiobox usb that I still can't get working the way it should while the same card works fine with the desktop.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 17 2014, 04:58 PM
Exactly. It's weird though as it has worked fine in the past. I'll keep trying to look at drivers, BIOS, whatever I can do to fix it.
Posted by: tonymiro Mar 18 2014, 11:00 AM
One of the things that really differentiates USB audio cards in the prosumer range is the quality of the USB drivers provided with the device. The better prosumer makes tend to have a reputation for producing devices that work without issue (or with very few) and that is largely down to the USB driver.
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 18 2014, 08:43 PM
I've done a whole lot of things to get this fixed, and it seems like it is fixed now. Not sure how I did it though!
Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 19 2014, 03:15 PM
The biggest issue is...not many people can afford to keep decent, independent PC for recording only - no web connection, no junk software...just all that's needed to make records...
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Mar 19 2014, 04:44 PM
I can't keep it fully recording PC, cause I use this laptop at other occasions as well, but I won't install much "junk" on it.
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