Whats wrong with my set up?

[Roozter]

Specs on the Pavillion, please. My money says its a hardware issue.

HP Pavilion dv5-1235dx Entertainment Notebook PC. Its OS is Vista 64 bit.


"Product Features Intel Core2 Duo mobile processor T6400 - Features 2 processing cores, 800MHz system bus, 2MB L2 cache and 2.0GHz processor speed per core. 4GB DDR2 memory - For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB. Multiformat DVDRW/CD-RWCD-RWCD-RW drive with double-layer support - Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media also supports Light - Scribe direct-disc labels using compatible Light - Scribe media. 15.4" WXGA high-definition widescreen display - With Bright - View technology and 1280 x 800 resolution showcases your movies and games in stunning clarity. 320GB hard drive (5400 rpm) - Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times. HP Protect - Smart hard drive protection for improved data safety. Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD - Features up to 1759MB total video me"

this is what I found spec wise. I dont think they make it anymore so It was hard to find specs.

 

[diggy_dude]

Your hardware isn't deficient. It's being utilized inefficiently. Do all the things Shadow_7 recommends. If you still have problems, it will probably be a problem with your recording gear rather than the PC itself. There's no way to be sure until you eliminate as many variables as possible.

 

[Roozter]

Your hardware isn't deficient. It's being utilized inefficiently. Do all the things Shadow_7 recommends. If you still have problems, it will probably be a problem with your recording gear rather than the PC itself. There's no way to be sure until you eliminate as many variables as possible.

This computer has been loaded down with junk before I started using it for recording. Im going to pretty much wipe it clean, and do what shadow_7 has recommended.

Even after I get everything off of it that needs to be off, and all the things that need to be turned off, off. Im going to take it somewhere to add more RAM and such.

 

[Shadow_7]

You could just try to run from a live CD / DVD of linux. Which should be a minimal system by default. Audacity runs in either. And unless you have one of the odd hda-intel soundcard setups, it should mostly work (out of the box). If you want to see what you're shooting for in a minimal audio only system. You can always switch OSes to master the results.

 

[Roozter]

You could just try to run from a live CD / DVD of linux. Which should be a minimal system by default. Audacity runs in either. And unless you have one of the odd hda-intel soundcard setups, it should mostly work (out of the box). If you want to see what you're shooting for in a minimal audio only system. You can always switch OSes to master the results.

Just to see what would happen, I hopped over to audacity with the rode going through the USB interface. Even through audacity the mic sounded absolutely beautiful. So I can rule out that its the mic/cables/interface. Im starting to have a feeling that its just Sonar itself giving me issues. Which is odd because its the 64 bit version which I got specifically for my 64 bit laptop.

Im not really sure whats up with everything at this point. The computer is up to par, the mics and interface are in perfect condition and are working. Everything sounds 100% clear, no latency, on audacity. But on Sonar everything is totally screwed up.

When using my USB mic with sonar, after tweaking the latency a ton, I had gotten it just about perfect, but still I was getting the stutters and all that after a little bit of playing through the mic with the echo on. I was however, able to record an entire song with bass and two guitars with effects. The playback had no issues at all. With the Rode, there were issues with the echo on, AND in playback. Its got to be something going on with Sonar itself, or the settings currently on it. But I have no idea how to work sonar in that sense. I have no software experience at all.

 

[Supercreep]

5400 rpm drive can cause dropouts at even modest track counts.

 

[Shadow_7]

5400 rpm drive can cause dropouts at even modest track counts.

It depends on the sample rate, and the track count. But yeah, 7200rpm drives are the norm for desktops (33% faster). And SSD drives are supposed to be WAAAAAY faster than that.

Regardless, you want minimal effects WHILE recording, which MAY NOT be the the DEFAULT settings for some software options. Audacity is pretty bare bones. But it does offer some nifty processing options / editing ability. Some of the audio processing stuff can be pretty intensive. I've got a script for my audio needs that takes as long to process 2 tracks at 24/192 as it does to convert 1920x1080 @ 60fps video. And that's before you do any edits like trimming out the interesting parts. Most of my computers being 2GHz or slower. Only one of which is dual core like yours.

 

[Roozter]

It depends on the sample rate, and the track count. But yeah, 7200rpm drives are the norm for desktops (33% faster). And SSD drives are supposed to be WAAAAAY faster than that.

Regardless, you want minimal effects WHILE recording, which MAY NOT be the the DEFAULT settings for some software options. Audacity is pretty bare bones. But it does offer some nifty processing options / editing ability. Some of the audio processing stuff can be pretty intensive. I've got a script for my audio needs that takes as long to process 2 tracks at 24/192 as it does to convert 1920x1080 @ 60fps video. And that's before you do any edits like trimming out the interesting parts. Most of my computers being 2GHz or slower. Only one of which is dual core like yours.

So, is this something I can upgrade? Im not really that computer savvy, so is there a way I could somehow put an SSD drive in this laptop, internally or externally?

and I think im going to get more RAM regardless.

 

[Supercreep]

So, is this something I can upgrade? Im not really that computer savvy, so is there a way I could somehow put an SSD drive in this laptop, internally or externally?

and I think im going to get more RAM regardless.

You may be able to take it in to a local repair shop and have them upgrade the HDD. SSDs are expensive and have relatively low capacity. Look for a 2.5" 7200 rpm mechanical drive. More capacity, cheaper, and possibly longer lasting.

More RAM is always a good plan, since you can reduce HDD paging when you increase your buffer size, preventing dropouts related to HDD thoroughput.

 

[Shadow_7]

More RAM would be the best bang for your buck. As long as you don't get too needy. i.e. 20 minute tracks and 40+ of them.

 

[Supercreep]

I use 8gb of RAM and get track counts in the high 80's with lots of plugs.

 

[Roozter]

My songs will most likely never exceed 10 tracks. I can always move some of my finished work on to a USB drive.

So would upgrading the drive cause me to have to put software back on the computer, or lose any of my files?

 

[Shadow_7]

My songs will most likely never exceed 10 tracks. I can always move some of my finished work on to a USB drive.

So would upgrading the drive cause me to have to put software back on the computer, or lose any of my files?

It depends on how difficult your operating system makes it for you. I use linux and swapping drives or partitions is easy. (if you're familiar with the process). For other OSes, it might be next to impossible.

 

[Roozter]

It depends on how difficult your operating system makes it for you. I use linux and swapping drives or partitions is easy. (if you're familiar with the process). For other OSes, it might be next to impossible.

Its Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit.

and could having Audacity and Sonar both installed at the same time be causing problems?

 

[Shadow_7]

It shouldn't be causing problems. Unless you're running both at the same time.

 

[Roozter]

It shouldn't be causing problems. Unless you're running both at the same time.

Well I just used my electric guitar through my interface and I have the same issue with the guitar that I do with the mics. I can say for sure though, that the problem has worsened with the things going through the interface as opposed to the direct USB cable.

Again though, with Audacity, interface or no interface, everything is working perfectly fine.

With Sonar, I hear the audio. but there is just a lot of clicks/gitchiness/fuzz over it no matter if I play soft or loud. But when I do get loud, its gets worse. I can even adjust the latency so its perfect, and I still get all that crap over the noise. As far as I can tell its not really dropouts. Im hearing sound consistently. This is only happening with the Sonar 8 software.

Ive changed the latency offset, buffer sizes, all that. Nothing has changed.

 

[Shadow_7]

Guitar needs that Hi-Z port. Which is of much higher impedance than a line input / mic input port. Mega Ohms, versus Kilo Ohms or whatever the terminology is. Some interfaces have a multi-port that auto adjusts. Some don't. If the issue that you're having is the electrical guitar distorting, that's likely the issue. No resistance =='s too hot to trot. Distortion, clipping, and other things. Some devices with a multi-port might also require that you TELL it what it's looking at with various buttons / switches / or something software wise. And some with that option only have it in the first channel.

 

[Shadow_7]

Try adjusting the period size. If you're a software developer type, you have some limited debugging type options to peer into the application to see what resources are being used where. But that type of software doesn't come with most computers. But you should have a resource monitor built in that you can check to see if you've maxed out on resources. Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> .... or something like that. I really haven't used windows much over the past decade. And most times it's someone elses computer that's being bad, or they need to connect to my network and they don't know how to do that, et cetera...

 

[Roozter]

Try adjusting the period size. If you're a software developer type, you have some limited debugging type options to peer into the application to see what resources are being used where. But that type of software doesn't come with most computers. But you should have a resource monitor built in that you can check to see if you've maxed out on resources. Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> .... or something like that. I really haven't used windows much over the past decade. And most times it's someone elses computer that's being bad, or they need to connect to my network and they don't know how to do that, et cetera...

Well, as far as I can see down the road. Ive fixed the issue. The problem was more or less the sound card. I went in to the control panel and proceeded to snoop around in the sound part. I looked in to my sound cards set up, and wouldnt you know it, the stupid thing is set up the exact opposite that it should be for recording. So I changed everything around to fit Sonar, got on and BAM. Sound quality is now fine. I was able to use the Electric guitar through the interface, with full distortion effects on it and wah wah. Even going in to the red zone it was keeping its quality, no dropouts/clicks/fuzz. I was even able to have my wireless connection going at the same time.

My virus scanner did come on during that time, and it caused problems with dropouts and clicks.

I will however, add more RAM regardless, and talk to some computer pros about upgrading HDD just to be safe, even though its not looking like the HDD, or RAM for that matter will be causing me issues any time soon.

Although everyones suggestions didnt hit the target, I do have wayyyy more knowledge then I did coming in to it. Also, without many of your suggestions, I couldnt have ruled out enough variables to even look in to the sound cards driver/settings.

I highly doubt this will be my last problem with my software though, and I would more then likely come back here with any questions I have.

 

[Roozter]

Scratch that. After I finished playing my electric through the Interface, which did work perfectly fine, I posted this and was away from my computer for awhile. I came back and decided that since my software was working id try recording a track on my Rode. Well the minute I get on I start getting the exact same problems again, and the settings were the same as when I left them.

At this point, im totally lost for ideas, and have no clue what to do. After having it go from not working at all, to working perfectly, then not working at all again after changing nothing from when it was working, I think im going to need some kind of professional to come look at this.

Nothing is adding up anymore. Its not RAM, or the HDD. Or Fragmented files. Or things running in the background. The electric guitar going through the interface proved everything should be working.