PT9 Win7x64 (-9128) errors +

[tmfergus]

So I installed the updated Mbox2 drivers and still getting nasty distortion recording through the Mbox2 inputs at 64 samples. Also still getting frequent (9128) errors.

[Russell Smith]

Hello ,

I have the same issue.... I have exactly the same setup as you ( RAM included ) except for a Nvidea graphics card.

I get the digital out of sync noise ( robot sound ) at 64 samples , I feel your pain - how can a build almost identical to what everyone else is reporting to be 'singing' along be , to put it mildly... crap.

I also get CPU spikes and out of the blue 9128 errors that stop my machine when I only have one or two VI's..... my old P4 NEVER gave me these random errors. I also have a 'buffer underflow error check your firewire etc' error when I have NO FIREWIRE drive AND is disabled in the BIOS.

So this is what me thinks - Our RAM sucks. I can not find on the Corsair website the 'official' timings and use 9-9-9-24 as per the XMP profile. I thought it was either this or the graphics card but since you are getting the same error with an ATI I feel we have now slimmed it down. I also swapped my MOBO out when I was getting white noise bursts from a ASUS P6T SE MOBO ( another config others are using with success ) . So the only common element is our good old RAM.

I have begged here and on the Corsair boards for the recommended timings but only got 'guesses' , some of which I tried with little success.

What I would like to ask you ( OP ) is , do you have any friends who have any triple channel DDR3 RAM they can lend you just to test my/our theory ? I do not but may be able to source some. I have bought almost two computers worth of hardware to get to this magical i7 land and am a bit hesitant to spend anymore , especially on a theory :)

Maybe we can try and report back - please fellow i7 error brother , let's help each other. At the very least we can rule out yet another possible cause.

[spenner]

I'm pretty sure the OP's RAM timing should be set to what I suggested earlier. I would do that next.

@Russell - If your RAM is bad then that's another story. If you can't find timing for your RAM then that is not a good sign. I will say based on my own experience that trying to use VI's in PT with 64bit buffer could be part of the problem. Some here praising i7's power with PT are rightfully referring to recording and mixing audio. There may be some, but I don't think many are recording several, particularly 3rd party, VI patches in PT9 at 64 buffer on a non O'c i7 under 950. I found that simply raising the buffer can stop errors.

As far as not being able to use two VI's, what VI's are you referring to? Also, running all 8 host processors in PT can cause issues particularly with only a few VI's. Have you tried lowering the processors?

[Russell Smith]

@ Spenner

Thank you very much for your input. I feel a little stupid as I did read this thread but it seems your post did not register as it should of. I apologise and I will test with those timings.

I also left out in my post that just setting up a new session and creating a single audio track with lets say Revalver on it at 64 samples will cause this robotic sound. That is no VI's just a single audio track with a plug in ( I know Revalver is heavy on resources but my old P4 3.0ghz could do 2 Revalvers at 64 samples before choking ).

Pro tools is by no means useless to me but I am not getting the performance I thought would come from an i7 920 machine on what is almost 'approved' hardware.

I created a thread a month ago with a lot more detail of my particular issue but I feel it is very similar to this one. For some reason we are both with very similar hardware not being able to use 64 samples. No other software , clean install of Win 7 64bit and PT.

Heres my thread

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=293600

I would grateful for any assistance but think we should stay in this thread.

[tmfergus]

Hello Russell, I hate saying this but in a way I am glad to here that I am not the only one experiencing my issues and

I feel your pain - how can a build almost identical to what everyone else is reporting to be 'singing' along be , to put it mildly... crap.

Sounds like we are having almost identical problems. I will try changing my RAM timings tomorrow if I can figure out how it is done. You and Spenner sound much more computer saavy than I so any advice would be really helpful. Keep in mind that my rig is a dual boot with XP pro (32bit) running PT 8.ocs3. While PT was not exactly rock solid with that setup I could track at 64 samples all day. On the new Win7 pro (64bit) PT 9.0.1 drive any input through the MBox2, DI or Mic, at 64 samples produces this robot sound. I often record through a digital mixer using the Spdif in on the MBox2 and it sounds fine. The (9128) and (6085) errors however are making PT9 unusable for me. It's the middle of the night here. Must get sleep. Dealing with these issues is exhausting. Thanks for the help guys...........TODD

[TOM@METRO]

Keep in mind that loaded plug-ins can have an affect on a system even if those plug-ins are not being used in that session. Double check that all are up-to-date and qualified.

[tmfergus]

Hello Tom,
I've reinstalled PT several times and had these issues with only the plugs that came with PT9 installed.
Have you checked out that screenshot. I know that it is kind of small and hard to see but do those spikes on the resource monitor look normal to you. Here it is again for your viewing pleasure. Thanks.........TODD

http://img847.imageshack.us/i/rmptscreenshot.jpg/

[spenner]

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

Keep in mind that loaded plug-ins can have an affect on a system even if those plug-ins are not being used in that session. Double check that all are up-to-date and qualified.

+1.

Russel, does the underflow and 9128 errors happen with every plugin or just Revalver? It could be Revalver. Some plugins still run better with 1 or 2 processors, particularly on a small session, which explains the stability on the P4. This is why lowering the host processors is recommended in general. Even with that some plugins just don't cut it in RTAS format with the later versions of PT and x64 builds. Also, you mentioned in the other thread that you had your samples on the system drive. That can cause this. Hopefully you have them on a separate drive now. Your C9 RAM isn't the fastest but if set properly should not cause this. CM3X2G1600C9 RAM should run fine at 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 1.65V. Again, don't trust X.M.P and make sure it is set to this. I run Corsair CMX6GX3M3C1600C7 on the i7 and TR3X6G1333C9 on a core 2 quad. I take that Corsair in general should be fine and would be surprised, if set at the proper settings, the cause in this case is bad RAM.

Buffer underflow in general means stuff is trying to access your CPU but it all aint happening fast enough. Simply increasing the buffer can solve this and 9128 errors in some cases, which is why I'm not sure why you are beholden to 64.

To the OP, regarding the noise you both are having, the bigger question is if the noise issue is a common problem with the Mbox2 on Win7 and PT9. Again, if all is well on PT8, Mbox 2 and XP then you definitely should submit this to Avid support.

[tmfergus]

I ran CPU-Z and also CPU-Tweaker and both are showing that my timings are set at 8 8 8 24. Looks like those are the settings in the BIOS. Why is my Sandra report showing 9 9 9 24? Which is the correct setting?

[spenner]

Originally Posted by tmfergus

I ran CPU-Z and also CPU-Tweaker and both are showing that my timings are set at 8 8 8 24. Looks like those are the settings in the BIOS. Why is my Sandra report showing 9 9 9 24? Which is the correct setting?

BIOS

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)

Advanced DRAM Features

Press enter on Channel A Timing Settings, Channel B Timing Settings, Channel C Timing Settings

That will be your timing settings for each channel according to the BIOS.