WDM or MME ?

[Alanfc]

Everyone:

Regarding Dropouts:

I have not fully re-adjusted my computer yet.! For my new WDM Driver. For latency, buffer size, removing unecessary programs, etc.

I experienced the dropout last night (the first time ever) and didn't have the will to do all the research so late. I know for a fact that I have never done the "Compact audio files" operation in Cakewalk. Thats probably pretty big. I have learned that another step to take is to commit to an effect and "Apply Audio " effects.

The dropout happened when I was just doing a guitar part on the 4th track over a drum track and 2 bass tracks. In a sort of fast part. The only real-time effect I had on was an EQ on the drum track.

What I was wondering is that, with MME driver I had no trouble. Even using 20-something tracks and 15-16 real-time effects...Yeehaw!

What could possibly be the reason NOT to go back to the MME driver? I don't care about latency and input monitoring... I mean really. Why not. This Cakewalk program has been a total dream until now.

Maybe there is a real good reason - Its going to take alot to change my mind. Or am I clueless?

thanks alot

[Torpid-x]

Since it was your sound cards tech team that messed with your Sonar settings, maybe you should call them again and tell them your having problems that you never had before, have them try again.

usually WDM would be better.... but.... if your having problems, it's your call.

[Alanfc]

Thank you - I still need to do the proper tweaking before I jump to conclusions on WDM !

But, in principle, what is the true difference between the Two driver types?

Thanks

[Torpid-x]

hehe I'm a guitar player, not a computer scientist!!!!

The advertised difference is "super low latency", and I think when they first came out, you needed them to run Dxi instruments, not sure if that's still the case.

Just a note, I don't use the latest drivers for my sound card, the drivers I use are WDM but not the latest, I have no problems now and I want to keep it that way.

[dachay2tnr]

WDM drivers allow your software (Sonar) to talk directly to your sound card. MME drivers require Windows to be in the middle of the coversation. That is, the software talks to Windows, which in turn talks to the sound card.

In essence, talking directly to the sound card should provide lower latency and better overall performance (less overhead).

The reason you probably were getting better performance with the MME drivers is that your latency was set much, much higher. If you don't care about latency (as you stated) you can either revert to the MME drivers, or raise your latency settings with the WDM drivers. Either one should fix your dropout problem.

However, you are correct - try and tweak your system first. The best of all worlds is low latency AND no dropouts.

FWIW, I still use MME drivers with my Delta 1010. I don't require input monitoring (I monitor through my hardware) and I don't "record" midi live. The latency only effects me while mixing, and I can pretty much live with that (i.e., tweak a reverb setting and it takes 100ms or so before you actually hear the change).

[moskus]

If you don't care about latency or input monitoring, then it doesen't matter (my opinion)...

[Alanfc]

I appreciate everyone's advice in this matter

But I am ditching the WDM and going back to MME

I went through and did Windows XP optimization tweaks for audio performance. (from that Tascam pdf), I defragged, I went in and compacted everything in Cakewalk, changed/tested/changed latency, buffer size, every adjustment I could find from this and other sites. No luck.

However the tweaks and downgrades I did in Win XP sure made my computer better in other ways -- my dialup internet performance is almost like DSL now. I will miss my cool wallpapers and screen savers but I don't care now. That puffy colorful Disney-like Windows XP color scheme/work environment was getting on my nerves anyway.

Anyways my work is simple - guitar parts, bass guitar, vocals, drum machine (1/4" input mono, no MIDI). Luckily I don't need to use the Input Monitoring feature because my Edirol has its own separate volume knob for that.

I want to get back to making music. I was having such a great time. Just bounding through many tracks with many effects and no problems whatsoever. And I'm picking up my Yorkvilles tommorrow! Soon after that I'll start posting in the MP3 Mixing Clinic! Can't wait to do that.

I did learn alot about making my Cakewalk work better though.
("Archive" use to confuse me-- - 'but where does my track go'? But I tried it and its perfectly logical ). Bouncing, combining tracks, all that.

blah blah blah you get the idea

Thanks again to all of you

[moskus]

Originally posted by Alanfc
Anyways my work is simple - guitar parts, bass guitar, vocals, drum machine (1/4" input mono, no MIDI). Luckily I don't need to use the Input Monitoring feature because my Edirol has its own separate volume knob for that.

Well, I bet your Edirol-knob won't let you hear the effects you have running realtime on the tracks during recording...

[Alanfc]

Hi Moskus-

You mean on the other tracks? While I'm recording something?
Hmmmm... I don't know ...

When I'm recording something I turn down or mute everything except drum, bass, or other vocals if I'm trying to do harmonies (trying ). I guess I never noticed. I swear I think I've heard everything else with all its FX. I mean, the Edirol has a volume knob for the whole mix and then a separate knob for the input monitoring. I always have to EQ the crap out of the kick drum on my drum track and seems like I would've have noticed if it was missing while playing with it. But maybe I turn its level down so low I can't really tell.

Yippee I like simple !

Thanks Moskus

[moskus]

Originally posted by Alanfc
You mean on the other tracks? While I'm recording something?
Hmmmm... I don't know ...

No, I mean on the track(s) you are recording on. Say you have reverb running as a real-time effect. The way you are recording, you won't hear the reverb untill after you're finnished recording and playing it back. Me, as I'm using Input Monitoring, hear it when I record...

Check out "How to hear realtime-effects while recording" from the Cakewalk FAQ...

[Alanfc]

Moskus-

Oh - Thats what you're talking about! Oh yes indeed!

I knew about that from Day One of using Cakewalk. I don't mind that at all... For my purposes its better to have the dry sound so I can really feel my playing in my headphones better. I mean like every bit of picking and every click, scratch, or whatever other goofy stuff I'm trying to do on the guitar.

I suppose it would be nice to hear the delay or reverb or whatever I'm putting on harmony vocals while I'm (trying) to sing them; but I'm so used to hearing them all dry that thats all I know.

Thanks again

[moskus]

It's like with cellphones: you don't need it, up to the moment you try it...

[Alanfc]

Moskus- Yes indeed someday I will try it and be hooked


Hey everyone - I am now Junior Member! Instead of a Newbie! I know you're all thrilled for me.
I promise I'll place Newbie quesions in their proper Board, even though I'm so much wiser now.

[moskus]

Congrats!