Error 9073 ALWAYS arg!!!!

[jamieguitar]

I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING - countless hours and weekends lost.....
The problem is an error, always at the same time in the session that says: “AAE can’t get audio from the drive(s) fast enough. Your drive may be too slow or fragmented, or a firewire drive could be having trouble due to the extra firewire bandwidth or CPU load. (-9073)".
I have tried different sessions with different plugins being used. Same issue, and always at the same time for that particular session. For example, Session 1 would stop at 2min 13 seconds, session 2 would stop at 2 min 30 seconds, etc.
The details:

• · am running PT 11 and the AIR Instrument expansion track (except I have not yet installed Structure). No other third party plugins.
• · have done all of the optimizations and troubleshooting suggestions as instructed by the site prior to posting.
• · reinstalled PT 11 two times.
• · re-downloaded and reinstalled the AIR instrument expansion pack plugins (from the new site: https://cs.mycommerce.com/airmusic )
• · replaced my hard drive to a WD black
• tried different USB cords from 11 Rack to computer
• · tried recording to external disk – same exact problem
• · changed hardware buffer at both extremes and in-between
• · Disc E - customize - optimized this folder for music (don't even know if that makes sense, but it sounded logical)
• · In Bios - disabled C-State and Speedstep
• · Hard drives - checked “turn off Windows write-cache buffer flushing
• · Uninstalled and reinstalled Quicktime
• · reinstalled drivers for 11 Rack
• · uninstalled and reinstalled MIDIsport driver
• · As suggested, I created a new administrator user - that helped for a bit, but the problem came back
• · Put “Loom” into the unused plugins file. That seemed like it might have helped for a little bit actually
• · I tried to take notes - I think this is most of what I tried.....

I've got 16GB of RAM, and the computer does not appear to be over-wrought on that end.
I really tried before reaching out, but I am at the end of my rope! Anyone have any ideas? I’m losing my mind!
Thanks for any help!
Oh yeah, error message 23 occasionally pops up afterwards, but not very frequently.

System Details Eleven Rack connected to computer via USB cable
Eleven Rack set to Sample Rate = 44100 / Preferred Buffer Size = 256 /clock source = internal Package = 1.1.6 / Firmware: 2.0.1
Pro Tools 11.0.2
AIR Instrument Expansion Pack 2.0
MIDI guitar connected to Roland GR-33
GR-33 connected to USB on computer with M-Audio Midisport

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : JamesWard-PC
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : Dell Studio XPS 8000
Serial Number : CYV****
Chassis : Dell Desktop
Mainboard : Dell 0X231R
Serial Number : ..CN7360*********
BIOS : Dell A01 08/11/2009
Total Memory : 16GB DIMM DDR3

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80GHz (4C 8T 2.8GHz, 2.4GHz IMC, 4x 256kB L2, 8MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC LGA1156

Chipset
Memory Controller : Dell Core (Clarksfield/Lynnfield) DMI 2x 2.4GHz (4.79GHz)
Memory Controller : Intel Core Desktop (Lynnfield) UnCore 2x 2.4GHz (4.79GHz), 2x 8GB DIMM DDR3 1.33GHz 128-bit

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351U6BFR8C-H9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351U6BFR8C-H9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351U6BFR8C-H9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351U6BFR8C-H9 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10700U DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Hewlett Packard HP w2207
(1680x1050, 22.0")
Monitor/Panel : Dell Computer DELL ST2410
(1920x1080, 24.0")
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (14CU 112SP SM4.0 1.62GHz, 1GB DDR3 2.2GHz 256-bit, PCIe 2.00 x16)
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (14CU 112SP SM4.0 1.62GHz, 1GB DDR3 2.2GHz 256-bit, PCIe 2.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL GP Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (112SP 14C 1.62GHz, 1GB DDR3 2.2GHz 256-bit)
Compute Shader Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (112SP 14C 1.62GHz, 1GB DDR3 2.2GHz 256-bit)
CUDA GP Processor : NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (112SP 14C 1.62GHz, 1GB DDR3 2.2GHz 256-bit)

Storage Devices
WDC WD2002FAEX-007BA0 (2TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm) : 2TB (C:) (D:)
WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0 (250GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 16MB Cache) : 233GB (E:)
Generic- SD/MMC (USB2) : N/A (H:)
Generic- Compact Flash (USB2) : N/A (I:)
Generic- SM/xD-Picture (USB2) : N/A (J:)
Generic- MS/MS-Pro (USB2) : N/A (L:)
HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GH50N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (G:)

Logical Storage Devices
RECOVERY (D:) : 15GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD2002FAEX-007BA0 (2TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Hard Disk (E:) : 233GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0 (250GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, 16MB Cache)
OS (C:) : 2TB (NTFS) @ WDC WD2002FAEX-007BA0 (2TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm)
Removable Drive (H:) : N/A @ Generic- SD/MMC (USB2)
Removable Drive (I:) : N/A @ Generic- Compact Flash (USB2)
Removable Drive (J:) : N/A @ Generic- SM/xD-Picture (USB2)
Removable Drive (L:) : N/A @ Generic- MS/MS-Pro (USB2)
Optical Drive (G:) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GH50N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Dell P55 LPC Interface Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : ITE IT8720F
Audio Device : Dell P55/PM55/3400 High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi High Definition Audio
Audio Device : Creative Labs SB1040
Disk Controller : Dell P55/PM55/3400 4 port SATA IDE Controller
Disk Controller : Dell P55/PM55/3400 2 port SATA IDE Controller
USB Controller 1 : Dell P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : Dell P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : Dell VT6315 Series Firewire Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)
Printer : Canon PRO-100 series (Colour)
Printer : Canon Inkjet MP500 Series (600x600, USB, Colour)

Peripherals

Network Services
Network Adapter : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet (Ethernet, 100Mbps)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 5.9


Did I post the SANDRA report the right way? Apologies if not.

[Darryl Ramm]

Look up and read the "Help us Help You - READ THIS Before Posting!" link on this page.

The most relevant information which you have not provided is exactly what drives you have... exact make/model/rpm and what is stored on what drive. You are getting drive related errors, almost all you initial focus should be on the drives and Pro Tools systems/audio drive requirements. Run a proper Sisoft Sandra report (follow the instructions in that link above, and look at many of the other threads on DUC to see what a standard Sandra report we expect to see looks like) and add comments about which of the drives reported is the system/boot drive, where drive contains any VI sample file you are using and which drive contains the audio/session file. And as a reminder the audio/session files should be on their own dedicated drive (whole physical drive dedicated to this, not just a dedicated partition), that drive needs to be 7200 rpm or faster or an SSD. That is the single leading cause of the problem you are reporting. I hope you are not using a single WD Black for both a boot/system and audio/session files. We need an exact details of all the storage in the computer from the Sandra report. When you say "tried recording to external disk". That is not helpful unless you tell us exactly what external disk... make/model/rpm specs and connected exactly how (eSATA, USB, USB2, USB3, firewire 800, etc.). Connect any external drives to your PC before running the Sandra report so we an also see them in the report and make clear what you tried with each of those drives.


Darryl

[jamieguitar]

Thanks for the swift reply, Darryl!
After posting, I realized that the full SANDRA had not gotten correctly pasted in. It is there now. I know how this is supposed to work and how very knowledgeable people such as yourself generously give your time and expertise. I have been reading the DUC for years and using Pro Tools for years, but this issue just has me totally stumped!

[jamieguitar]

I'm aware of the compatibility needs ( I think!), and didn't mention the external drive because it was just one quick test and didn't think it really mattered. The external drive is
OWC Mercury Elite Pro 2.0TB

• eSATA, FireWire800, and USB 3.0 connecting cables included as well as a vertical stand
• UL Listed Auto Switching 100-240v input, 50/60Hz input, 12 Volt 3 Amp output Power Supply
• Includes Intech SpeedTools Utilities, ProSoft Data Backup, and NovaStor NovaBACKUP
• OWC 3 Year Solution Warranty w/ 48 Hour Turnaaround Time
• 7200RPM 64MB Cache

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by jamieguitar

Thanks for the swift reply, Darryl!
After posting, I realized that the full SANDRA had not gotten correctly pasted in. It is there now. I know how this is supposed to work and how very knowledgeable people such as yourself generously give your time and expertise. I have been reading the DUC for years and using Pro Tools for years, but this issue just has me totally stumped!

OK got it, great. I was editing my post as you were editing yours, can you explain exactly where you audio/session files are, what disk partition. And also where any VI samples are installed (but not an issue it seems as you have problem without any plugins).

With sessions its possible to point to audio content, as opposed to importing the content into the session folder. And occasionally there are cases where folks end up with say lots of actual file IO going to the boot/system drive without meaning to. For the sessions having problems you confirm inside Pro Tools where the actual audio files are for the session. Go to Window>Project and you will see all the actual audio files listed on the project windows.

Darryl

[Darryl Ramm]

And another sanity test, what sample rates are the actual Pro Tools sessions at? 48kHz is a great default sample rate for the Eleven Rack orange-box-'o-fun, and I just want to make sure its not higher than 48kHz when debugging this problem.

[jamieguitar]

Yeah, the orange box o fun. It certainly is!....I left the setting at what it defaulted to: 44.1khz. (erroneously said 48khz last night). Since you suggest "not higher than 48khz", can I assume that I should leave it at 44.1khz as I continue looking for a fix?

[jamieguitar]

The audio/session files go to the E drive. It is not partitioned.

The VI plugins (.BIG) are located at: C: Program files/Air Music Technology. I think that's what you were asking, but they are also listed under: C: Program Files/Common Files/ Avid/Audio/Plugins. ALSO under C:Program Files(x86)/Common Files/Avid/Audio/Plugins.

I'm not sure if I actually tested this with no plugins, but this morning, I tried placing the VI folders (from C:Program Files/Common Files/ Avid/Audio/Plugin) from the plugins folder to the plugins not used folder (same result), then selecting EVERYTHING from the same plugins folder and putting it into the plugins not used folder (both at C: Program Files/Common Files/ Avid/Audio/Plugins) - yielding the same result.
Then I included C:Program Files(x86)/Common Files/Avid/Audio/Plugins and also put these into the plugins not used folder. Both of these gave me the same result. I only tried this with one session.

I'm thinking I understand, but I'm not sure what you are asking when you say:

"With sessions its possible to point to audio content, as opposed to importing the content into the session folder. (I don't mean to be dense, but I'm not sure what this means...)And occasionally there are cases where folks end up with say lots of actual file IO going to the boot/system drive without meaning to. For the sessions having problems you confirm inside Pro Tools where the actual audio files are for the session. Go to Window>Project and you will see all the actual audio files listed on the project windows."

I don't see Window>Project. Is this the same as "workspace"? It shows recording going to E drive and session file backups going there too.

Again - much thanks for any help!

[Darryl Ramm]

Mmm nothing obvious here. Have you completely disabled any anti virus software? Turn it totally off or uninstall it? Including Microsoft security essentials. Made sure no other apps are running? Disable any disk indexing software like google desktop, Windows search indexing, etc. turn all that off for all drives while debugging. What other crapware is installed on the PC, runs at startup etc? Did this ever work better? when did it change?

Have you deleted databases and preferences? Keep doing so again as you try other things.

You tested starting with a totally new empty session? Not a copy if another session? Not a session from a template?

With things happening at about the same time in different sessions that makes me a bit more suspicious of antivirus or disk indexing software tripping you up.

[Darryl Ramm]

And are you still seeing DAE 23 errors? That can be a sign of disk failure/corruption.

Can you look in the Windows system event log for any interesting looking errors, especially around the time you are having Pro Tools problems or anything that looks like a disk related error/warning.

Try scanning both HDD for errors (especially in you are still seeing DAE 23 errors, even infrequently).