Monitoring Problems - Please Help!

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steve_34

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I would be really grateful if anyone can help me out here - I can't see what I am doing wrong!

I have a pair of active PM05 Fostex Monitors which seem to distort when playing my recordings back through my soundcard (M Audio Quattro). The only way I can describe it is as if it is being heard underwater, there is a terrible clicking too during playback.

At first I thought it was the monitors (or the Spirit Notepad mixer) - both of which I have only just ripped out the packages. However, when playing a normal, commercial CD on the PC, the monitors sound fantastic!

I am going PC to M Audio Quattro; outs from the Quattro into the Spirit Notepad; Sprirt Notepad to Fostex Monitors. As I said though, using this route works fine when playing a normal CD.

I have checked the volumes of the tracks in Sonar and turned them all down (none were exceeding 0db anyway). Still the problem persists.

I hold my hands up and must confess I am new to Sonar so I may have missed something. i have checked the manuals but can't see what?

Please can anyone help?!?

Thank you.
 
Welcome to the board, Steve...

Well, looks like you have problem with latency or buffer setting... (Options-->Audio). Can you tell us what version is your Sonar? And driver mode (WDM, ASIO, MME)? Did you record 24/96? How many plugins you put on the track insert? How many tracks? etc...

;)
Jaymz
 
James,

Thanks for the reply.

I have Sonar 2.2, with Buffers In Playback Queue = 2 (I havent changes this since installation), and Buffer Size = Fast.

I am actually recording in 16/44.1 resolution.

I/O Buffer Size = 64. Driver Mode = WDM / KS.

There are no FX on the tracks, I intend to go out to my outboard and then back in again onto a new track.

Is this any help?

Thanks again
 
Hi, Steve.

Sound like your buffers setting is too low. This happens to me when I try to set my buffers to 2. With buffers at 3, I don't have any problems. Try upping this for starters - I'm thinking it should fix it.
 
steve_34 said:
I/O Buffer Size = 64. Driver Mode = WDM / KS.
Click to expand...

Have you tried running Wave Profiler recently?

Also how many sound cards are you running in the PC?

Porter
 
Well, as I search deeply into the subject, looks like you probably reach bandwith limit of USB. FYI, USB ver.1 is not suited for serious audio work, cause it lacks of bandwith. If you get more serious to audio work, then consider NOT to use onboard soundcard nor USB soundcard. They fixed it with USB ver.2 though...

Try PCI soundcard if possible.

;)
Jaymz
 
I have the answer! James, you are a star for trying to help me out; Porter you are a star for being correct!

I ran Wave Profiler last night before I went to bed in frustration - bingo, the sound is perfection.

Thanks for all your help fellas, it is a real pleasure to receive such willing assistance.

Now I know where to come if I have any other problems. Some forums don't tend to take you seriously unless you already have a million posts to your name.

Cheers.
 
steve_34 said:
Porter you are a star for being correct!

I ran Wave Profiler last night before I went to bed in frustration - bingo, the sound is perfection.
Click to expand...

NP Steve, glad to 'hear' you go it sorted out :D

Porter
 
I had same problem, and luckily same solution. Thank you VEEERY much!!!
 
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