Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size

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elProdigio
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2013/02/19 03:07:40 (permalink)

Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size


I use Sonar X2a in W7, with ASIO4ALL driver and a buffer size of 512, and sometimes sound like distorted fails. When that happens, I extend the buffer, reset the audio engine and the problem goes away, but then it happens again with the larger buffer. Again I leave it at 512 and it works perfectly, but after a while it happens again.

In fact, no need to extend the buffer, most of the time it resolves audio stopping and starting the engine, but it is frustrating that happens a lot of times.

My machine is an i7 with 16GB of RAM.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
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    dcumpian
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    Re:Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size 2013/02/19 08:36:31 (permalink)
    You don't mention what audio interface you are using. If it is a real audio interface and not a soundcard built-in to your motherboard, it should have ASIO/WDM drivers that are far better than ASIO4All.

    If you are using the built-in audio card, you may never get it to behave properly with Sonar. Sonar is not designed for these cards.

    Regards,
    Dan

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    elProdigio
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    Re:Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size 2013/02/19 08:46:46 (permalink)
    Thanks dcumpian,
    Yes... It's a built-in audio card, but I've worked in a laptop with Sonar 8.5 (and prev) with the internal audio and work's fine... without distorsion (with 23 ms of latency, but I don't care this).

    Now I'm looking for a external audio device (quad-capture)... but I think that the built-in audio card must work in Sonar X2 like previous versions.


    #3
    robert_e_bone
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    Re:Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size 2013/02/19 08:53:02 (permalink)
    Make sure that your sample rate in Sonar matches the sample rate setting in ASIO4ALL, and also try to lower the bit-depth from 24 to 16, which will help.  I would suggest using 44.1 as a sample rate.

    Your system may not have the horsepower to handle higher bit-depth and/or sample rates, in addition to having to suck CPU cycles to handle the audio/digital conversion - which is what happens with ASIO4ALL.

    If you move to a dedicated external audio interface, the audio interface completely takes over all of the work needed to do the digital to analog conversions, and that takes a GIANT bunch of work away from overtaxing your CPU.

    You can pick up an entry-level audio interface from about $100 on up, depending on how many pre-amps and inputs/outputs and such.

    Bob Bone


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    CJaysMusic
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    Re:Sound distortion independent asio driver buffer size 2013/02/19 12:07:40 (permalink)
    Dont use ASIO4all and use the drivers that are written for your audio interface/ sound card. Lets say you have a MOTU, then you would go the the MOTU website and download the latest drivers for that card. Hopefully your not using an onboard sound chip, as that isnt good. 

    Use the drivers written for your card.

    CJ


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