PT11 crashes and is horribly slow

[praskal]

Ok, I have completely gone through the whole computer optimization protocol. I have done everything is the "Help Us Help You..." section.

This is the new error message: "Pro Tools could not initialize the Focusrite USB 2.0 Audio Driver. Please make sure that the device has been configured correctly."


Here is my Sandra report:

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : PatrickPC
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : Samsung 900X3C/900X3D/900X3E/900X4C/900X4D ChiefRiver System
Serial Number : JE9491G*******
Chassis : Samsung Laptop
Mainboard : Samsung NP900X4C-K01US
Serial Number : 123490E*******
BIOS : Phoenix (OEM) P07ABK 04/09/2013
Intel vPro : 8.01.00.1248
Total Memory : 7.63GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3537U CPU @ 2.00GHz (2C 4T 3.09GHz, 3.1GHz IMC, 2x 256kB L2, 4MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC PGA988

Chipset
Memory Controller : Samsung Core (Ivy Bridge) Mobile DRAM Controller 100MHz, 2x 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5273EB0-CK0 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-12800S DDR3-1600 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5273EB0-CK0 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-12800S DDR3-1600 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Samsung Generic PnP Monitor (1600x1200, 15.0")
Video Adapter : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (16CU 128SP SM5.0 350MHz/1.2GHz, 32MB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL GP Processor : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (128SP 16C 350MHz/1.2GHz, 1.8GB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)
Compute Shader Processor : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (128SP 16C 350MHz/1.2GHz, 64MB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
SAMSUNG MZMTD256HAGM-000 (256GB, SATA600, 1", SSD) : 238GB (C:)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 216GB (NTFS) @ SAMSUNG MZMTD256HAGM-000 (256GB, SATA600, 1", SSD)
Windows RE tools : 499MB (NTFS)
SAMSUNG_REC2 : 21GB (NTFS)
SAMSUNG_REC : 1020MB (FAT32)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Samsung Panther Point LPC Controller
Audio Device : Samsung Panther Point High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi High Definition Audio
Disk Controller : Samsung Panther Point Mobile 6 port SATA AHCI Controller
USB Controller 1 : Samsung Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1
USB Controller 2 : Samsung uPD720202 USB 3.0 Host Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Samsung ML-1865W Series (1200x1200, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4 (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)
Printer : Canon MX880 series Printer (Colour)
Printer : Canon MX880 series FAX (200x200)
Printer : Canon MX870 series Printer (Colour)
Printer : Canon MX870 series FAX (200x200)
Printer : Brother Laser Type2 Class Driver (1200x1200)

Sensors
Light : Sensors Team Ambient Light Sensor (Light, Light)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (Ethernet)
Wireless Adapter : Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6235 (802.11n (HT), AES-CCMP, 43Mbps)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 8 Home 6.02.9200
Platform Compliance : x64

[praskal]

I don't know what "an external drive for audio" means. I have no drive on this laptop. I have a USB connected to the focusrite 18i8.

[Darryl Ramm]

Thanks for the Sandra report! But can you try answering all the asked questions, having all those answers may have already helped find a fix.

I am not following the comments about Pro Tools crashing etc, if the interface can't be used it can't be used and that problem needs to be clearly fixed. Or were those other problems when using a different interface, say the laptops built in audio device? I just want to make sure what all the problems are that problems are that need to be solved.

In addition to the previously unanswered questions (including what exact driver version you installed) does the Focusright work with anything else, e.g. can you play say Windows systems sounds through it, (then change back so Pro Tools has exclusive use of the device). Make sure no other applications or the Windows system is trying to use the device while Pro Tools is.

Do you have an external drive that was not connected when you ran this report? The Sandra report lists only one internal SSD, and although that may work, for best reliability you should still have a dedicated audio/session drive (either internal or external, if external ideally a USB 3 SSD if your laptop has USB3).

This laptop also only has Intel integrated graphics, a discrete graphics processor is recommended for use with Pro Tools.

Neither of these issues will be causing the "cannot initialize" issue with the interface. But even When you do solve that your system is under-spec and you may run into other problems because of that.

The initialize error is more likely a Focusrite related problem than a Pro Tools problem. Which is why we need to know exactly what driver you installed, wether you have tested the interface with something besides Pro a tools, and fir you to check nothing else is trying to use the interface when a Pro a tools is trying to. You could also try contacting Focusright support or I expect the wonderful Katherine from Focusright will be along here soon to help you out"

[Darryl Ramm]

And it is always a good idea to google search for exact error messages like "Pro Tools could not initialize the Focusrite USB 2.0 Audio Driver" or at least for the obvious keywords in that error message. That will bring up problems and solutions like this...

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=342769

And be aware of this... http://us.focusrite.com/answerbase/m...n-pro-tools-11

But go do your own searches if those do not help.

[praskal]

I think I just wasted $300 on the focusrite interface. I don't have time to spend on this stuff. I really want this working, but I have responsibilities in life. I'm sorry. I appreciate the help. I just have no idea what to do.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by praskal

I don't know what "an external drive for audio" means. I have no drive on this laptop. I have a USB connected to the focusrite 18i8.

An external drive for audio is just that - a hard drive external to the computer for recording audio to. This is part of the PT requirements.

Originally Posted by praskal

I think I just wasted $300 on the focusrite interface. I don't have time to spend on this stuff. I really want this working, but I have responsibilities in life. I'm sorry. I appreciate the help. I just have no idea what to do.

Take a deep breath and calm down. If you want to record using PT then you'll just have to make the time to learn how to set things up. As has been said many times this is not plug and play software; it's not Garageband or Guitar Hero.

[praskal]

If I don't do something with my son, my wife will kill me. Btw, my Korg d16 is easy to use. Be back later...

[Darryl Ramm]

Unfortunately with a Windows PC from one vendor, Pro Tools from another and interface from another you are the systems integrator and will need at times to debug things etc. And all software has bugs at some time.

Focusrite make nice products and provide good support directly on DUC. So if you try some things here and are still stuck I expect they will get back to you.

I gave you a link to one problem and work around to avoid you even needing to use Google search yourself. Did you read through that thread and the work around? Does that fit your problem? Does the work around work for you?

if you really don't have time to deal with this type of stuff then a high-end complex DAW may be the wrong choice for you. A stand alone recorder or maybe Mac or iPad running Garage Band might be better choices, or try to find a consultant to help set things up for you,

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by praskal

If I don't do something with my son, my wife will kill me. Btw, my Korg d16 is easy to use. Be back later...

Depending on his age - bring him along for the ride. He might learn something useful doing stuff with his dad that dad likes. It is entirely possible to combine music recording and family life - I'd hazard to say there are plenty of happily married people on here. My wife is thankful I have the music to work on as she knows exactly where I am and what I'm doing.

[praskal]

He's 7. And he would rather play x box. But I'm trying to instil in him a love of music. I did n while opening PT11. And it definitely has focusrite chosen. Also, I downloaded focusrite driver here: http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audi...18i8/downloads

And yes I have a 1 TB external HD. It wasn't connected for the Sandra report. Nit enough USB ports. Only 3. I keep getting a msg stating that PT cannot initialize focusrite as the interface and it needs to be configured.

Anyway, maybe I should get things that go together: iMac desktop, logic?, I already have the 18i8. I have money to make this easier. What do you think is the most plug and play for a physician who doesn't have a lot of time?

Also, I was hoping to collaborate with a buddy up in Seattle who offered to add Hammond B3 to my tunes. He uses PT. Can we collaborate using different DAW's??