Upgraded to PT12.5.2 - Tascam interface not working - click/pops/unusable

[ToddNilsen]

Hi All,

My system was running flawlessly for 4 yrs or so with this setup:

Motherboard - DH55PJ
OS: Win 7 32 bit (4GB RAM) with i3 processor at 3.2GHz
Protools 9
US 1641 interface at 64 sample buffer
Separate SATA hard drives for system files and audio files

I started having issues with clicking, popping, I also couldn't write firmware to the interface - seemed like connectivity issues. A few times, while loading up PT9 a local variable error popped up.

After a miserable session or two, I figured it was time to upgrade/fix/start from the beginning.

I bought a new interface - Tascam US 16x08, and upgraded my OS, and PT.
New setup - same motherboard
OS: Win 10 64 bit (8GB RAM) with i3 processor at 3.2GHz
Protools 12.5.2
US 16x08 interface (also tried US 1641)
Separate SATA hard drives for system files and audio files

I can't seem to get this to work. The interface drivers loaded normally, but pro tools was incredibly sluggish, huge latency, and fizz/pops/clicks. It was also giving 25% system interruptions in windows task manager. It would show 20% CPU usage, but would oscillate to 100% on TOTAL CPU usage intermittently. I have tried:

- every option in playback engine
- moving to disk cache
- trying higher and lower buffer settings (not even close to 64 sample like I was running, 128 worked shortly, but then stopped working again)
- ASIO4All driver
- swapping through all USB ports
- swapping USB cables.


I switched back to the US-1641 (Tascam) and it seems to work better, but it will be OK for one or two play-throughs of one session, and is an immediate problem on all subsequent sessions. System interruptions in Windows were down to <5%. Additionally, PT gives the "audio interface not configured to a recognized buffer size 32,64,128,etc) when it is configured to the Tascam setting for 64 sample buffer.

So if anyone has any ideas that could help it would be greatly appreciated.

1. Is there a hardware compatibility issue that I have but am unaware of? Will this combo ever work correctly?

2. Can the i3 processor run PT12? Would that be causing these issues?

3. What causes the intermittent CPU spikes? Very random effect, perhaps click related as other posts have suggested?

thank you,

-todd



SANDRA REPORT BELOW
__________________________________________________ ________

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : DESKTOP-382K6SK
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Chassis : Desktop
Mainboard : Intel DH55PJ
Serial Number : BTPJ02******
BIOS : Intel TCIBX10H.86A.0048.2011.1206.1342 12/06/2011
Intel vPro : 6.01.20.1059
Total Memory : 7.81GB DIMM DDR3

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 550 @ 3.20GHz (2C 3.19GHz, 2.13GHz IMC, 2x 256kB L2, 4MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC LGA1156

Chipset
Memory Controller : Intel Core (Arrandale) DRAM Controller 2x 2.93GHz (5.85GHz), 2x 4GB DIMM DDR3 1.33GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1333C9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-24 5-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1333C9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-24 5-34-10-5)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : MITAC LCD MONITOR
(1920x1080, 26.3")
Video Adapter : Microsoft Basic Display Adapter (12SP SM5.2 733MHz, 66MB DDR3 1.33GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor
Compute Shader Processor : Microsoft Basic Render Driver (4GB)

Storage Devices
WDC WD1600AAJS-60M0A0 (160GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 8MB Cache) : 149GB (C:) (D:) (F:)
WDC WD15EARS-00MVWB0 (1.5TB, SATA300, 3.5") : 1TB (E:)
Verbatim STORE N GO (4GB, USB2) : 4GB (H:)
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50 (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (G:)

Logical Storage Devices
Reserved (D:) : 100MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD1600AAJS-60M0A0 (160GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 8MB Cache)
System Reserved : 100MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD15EARS-00MVWB0 (1.5TB, SATA300, 3.5")
ESD-USB (H:) : 4GB (FAT32, 4kB) @ Verbatim STORE N GO (4GB, USB2)
SystemDrive (C:) : 147GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD1600AAJS-60M0A0 (160GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 8MB Cache)
OS (F:) : 2GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD1600AAJS-60M0A0 (160GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 8MB Cache)
Project Disk (E:) : 1TB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD15EARS-00MVWB0 (1.5TB, SATA300, 3.5")
Hard Disk : 450MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ WDC WD15EARS-00MVWB0 (1.5TB, SATA300, 3.5")
Optical Drive (G:) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50 (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Intel H55 LPC Interface Controller
Audio Device : Intel P55/PM55/3400 High Definition Audio
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : Intel P55/PM55/3400 PT IDER Controller
Disk Controller : Intel P55/PM55/3400 4 port SATA IDE Controller
Disk Controller : Intel P55/PM55/3400 2 port SATA IDE Controller
USB Controller 1 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 2 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 3 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 4 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 5 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 6 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 7 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB Controller
USB Controller 8 : Intel P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4 (600x600, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft Print To PDF (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Peripherals
Media Player : Verbatim STORE N GO (3.7GB)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Intel(R) 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection (Ethernet, 100Mbps)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 10.00.14393
Platform Compliance : x64

[sw rec]

My 2 cents worth....yes, the i3 is WAY underpowered for this application, and most of us are going to recommend an i7 processor and at least 16gb of ram.

[The Weed]

And a separate video card.

[zedhed]

It would appear that this drive in your Sandra Report is a 'Green' drive;
WDC WD15EARS-00MVWB0

Is this the drive you are recording to?

Green drives are known to create problems with PT. The WD Caviar Black drives are superior to the green ones.

[ToddNilsen]

Hi All,

Thank you for the feedback.

There has been an update. It appears as though I was getting hit by a few things at once with this one.

1 - The click II in PT12 is a disaster, and I get rid of the sluggishness and rough-running sessions by de-activating it across all my sessions

2 - The USB cable I was using causes significant clicks/pops/hisses in the audio signal. By swapping out the cable with the 3' cable it came with, this issue is resolved.

I can turn on and turn off the issue by swapping these two items in and out, so it looks like the root of the problem was found.


The remaining issue(s) are:

- that the latency seems to be non-uniform from session to session even with the same buffer settings across them. That being said, even on a 20+ track session with significant amounts of plugins, my cpu usage is approx. 15% during playback. (Maybe 30-40%) if I track during the session.


- I still cant get the US1641 to load on the "lowest latency" setting (it gives the ""cannot initialize interface configuration, choose a supported one...32,64,etc"". I have to use the "low latency" setting which is 128 samples.


I am going to spec and purchase a designated video card, and I will also look into the black hard drive (I have never heard of the "green" drive designation and am intrigued). I will also try the US 16x08 and see if the fixes allow me to run that one at 64 samples....

thanks guys, Ill update accordingly. I greatly appreciate the help.

[The Weed]

FYI, my RME interface allows a buffer size of 48 as its lowest, but Pro Tools only recognizes 64 and multiples of same, so you can only use the buffer sizes PT will recognize, not what your interface is capable of.

Green drives have power saving features, not good for PT. Western Digital Caviar Black 64 mb cache drives for spinners and Samsung 840/850 Pro/Evo drives for SSDs are the forum favorites.