buffer prob but not sure?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rusty K
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Rusty K

New member
Hello,

When it rains it pours!

I tried to move my sng. files to my new second Hard Drive. They transferred ok but now the songs stutter occasionally. I am able to launch and play the individual tracks using my wav editor with no audio problem.

Is this buffering or just a corrupted sng. file? Could the "move song" function be causing this and if so can the sng. file be regenerated.

Oh yes all the plugs seem to be present and working.

Thanks,

Rusty K
 
Update...

I created a new song starting with drum tracks and saving to the new hard drive. I then imported them to Ntrack to begin a new song and again there is stuttering in the playback. I can play each track with my wav editor and everthing is ok but everything played together as a song from the new HD is stuttering. What is going on? I do know from past experience that sometimes skipping etc. does not necessarily mean that I have a corrupted sng. file. but I'm not sure.

Everything I still have saved to the C drive is playing as normal.

Thanks,

Rusty K
 
Help I'm drowning!

Ok...as well as the problem described above!



All of a sudden I started getting (error opening midi out device). It's especially annoying when it pops as I start recording and must be clicked closed to record. I did an uninstall and then reinstalled the latest 24bit version and the problem persists. I checked preferences/midi path/devices and clicked different settings but I'm still getting the error message. I also now pops up whenever I open a sng. file.

Could my soundcard be acting up? Can I just turn midi off altogether and worry about it later?

Thanks,

Rusty K
 
update

Hello ntrackies,

Well I think the problem was that I somehow corrupted the sng files when I used file/move to to transfer my files over to the new hard drive. I've started a new song entirely on that drive and it's working ok so now I'm just going to use my back up tracks that I need and start the songs over on the new drive.

Unfortunately another problem, error message ....can't open midi out, persists. I've written Flavio and tried all the fixes he responded with. This message began showing up when I accidentally killed Ntrack with "End It All". Ntrack was minimized when I killed other running programs to do some tracking.

Does anyone have any Ideas...?

Rusty K
 
when you re-installed ntrack, did you delete the ntrack directory?

If you are using XP, try a windows restore.

As far as your new HD, make sure you have DMA enabled. Try benching it - make sure it's working like it should.
 
bdemenil,

I don't think so.....I just downloaded it into the program folder and installed it over the old version. Do you mean uninstall then re-install?


My OS is ME and there is some question whether or not system restore has been enabled....long story, but I guess I could try to restore and see if there are any restore times available.

Sorry but what is benching? How would I find out if the HD is DMA enabled? On the HD parts list it had listed UDMA interface cable. Does this answer the question? Flavio had me toggle/disable DMA in the Device Manager/settings for the HD drives controller. CDRom etc.

I don't really see how sng. files won't play correctly but my wav editor plays individual tracks just fine. That points to ntrack software issue doesn't it?

Actually I have several computer related issues going on right now which in my opinion makes it very difficult to diagnose just what is going on. I have about decided to "wipe" my HD and do a reinstall of the OS.


Appreciate your help on this...I really need some sound advice at this point.

Rusty K
 
DMA should be enabled for your HD in the device manager.

After uninstalling ntrack, you should erase the ntrack directory entirely before re-installing.

You should download a free benchmarking tool like Sandra :
http://download.com.com/3000-2086-10132058.html

There is a HD benchmarking utility on it. Check out how your HD is doing. Pay specific attention to sequential read/write rate. If it is realy low, you know something is wrong. Could even be a cable.

If your HD checks out OK, but ntrack isn't working well, it could be ntrack or your drivers. Try increasing your buffer settings - stuff like that.
 
bdmenil,

I've snagged Sandra and I'll try your other suggestions.

Sequential read/write rate... how will I know what is a low rate? Will it be evident?

I re-enabled DMA in the HD device mgr.

When you say "erase directory" are you talking about folders or just the ntrack files in the folders?

As far a buffer settings is concerned, Sng. files on my C drive play normally so wouldn't buffer settings effect both drives the same?

I apologize for my lack of basic computer skills. I just jumped into computer recording a couple of years ago and I'm making great progress as long as my computer stays healthy.

Thanks again for your time,

Rusty K
 
Rusty,

you are right about the buffers, if they work for your other drive, and your new one is comparable, then they should work for the new one too.

As far as erasing directories - erase the folder named 'ntrack' and anything within it completely from your system (after unistalling ntrack from the add/remove programs control panel). Then re-install ntrack.

As fpr Sandra, run the File System Benchmark - you should be getting sequential read/write in the 15-20MB/sec range. If you are getting much below 10mb/sec you have a problem.

What type of HD do you have?
 
bdemenil,

Hey I've been offline. I've wiped my C drive and had XP installed. Problem is I've already had another freeze-up with non-responsive program. Obviously I may have other problems. I'll just have to see how it goes.

I'm just now getting my email and Internet up and running I haven't even gotten to my programs yet.

I think I'll download Sandra again and see what gives.

My new HD is a Maxtor 60g , 7200
I'll post when I know more.

Thanks,

Rusty K
 
Rusty, you have a good HD, you shouldn't have problems with it. Make sure you're using an ATA100 (80 conductor) cable if you want to get the best performance out of it.
 
bdemenil,

XP has been smooth so far. It's a lot more intuitive, I may not like that later, but it's comfortable compared to what I've been putting up with lately.


I used the cable recommended in the instructions. They were adamant about it so it's probably the cable you were refering to. I can't find the parts list.

Anyway I now have my multitrack back in operation and so far no playback skipping on D drive.

Thanks again,

Rusty K
 
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