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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19 |
Hello again, Does PT 2011 handle higher bit settings, say 24/48 etc without any problems?
The reason I ask is I set my settings at 24/44.1 for a higher quality recording, match it with my soundcard's settings, set the buffer size at 512, but after recording several stereo audio tracks, pT crashes and I have to do a forced shutdown, losing my work. It's happened twice.
My computer is a Dell 15z XPS, I run Win 7 64-bit, 2.8-3.4 (turbo boost to 3.4) ghz core 2 duo chip, 8 GBs Ram, a 7200 and a 10,000 rpm external SATA drive, and use an Avid (M-Audio) Fast track C400 USB 2.0 sound interface. I've tried re -installing the C400's drivers, as well as reinstalling PT, but PT still crashes.
I record to drive E:, the SATA external drive, and have PT and OS and save project file to drive C:
Is PT more stable with say, 16 bit recording as opposed to 24 bit?
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance for any help.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,620
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,620 |
Higher bitrates equal larger files; it could be that the eSATA is not keeping up.
It could also be the soundcard itself is locked at another bitrate and changing the rate in PT causes the crash. See if there is a setting in the soundcard ASIO for unlocked, or allowing software to set the bitrate.
PT can handle the bitrates when the system is set up correctly.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Hi James.
For some reason which isn't quite clear, Dell computers sometimes need a larger ASIO buffer size. It sounds as though, as you build up more tracks, the buffer starts to cause problems. Try increasing to 1024. It's also a good idea to access the C400 drivers through PT audio prefs instead of directly. On some systems, going to the settings via a desktop shortcut doesn't always change the settings for Power Tracks. (Don't ask me why!)
The other question is - does the system run ok at 16 bit? If it does, what sort of music are you recording and do you need 24 bit? The advantage of 24 bit is improved dynamic range, but as Rock and Pop typically uses less than about 10 percent of the available range of 16 bit is it necessary? Also, if your end product is 16 bit CD, using 24 bit means that the final mix has to be dithered down to 16 bit which is an extra process and one which some people say introduces side effects.
rharv is the mastering man, so he probably has a more informed opinion on this. If you're reading this rharv, what do you think?
ROG.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,620
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,620 |
Dithering discussions give me headaches. Dither with good dithering algorithm and don't truncate.  Ozone dithering manual is a good one to read for understanding dithering.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19 |
Hey ROG, I think I figured it all out. PT seems to be stable now, way beyond the point it was crashing before. I'm recording at 24/48 to my external SATA drive, which I partitioned to make another drive F for storage of finished master files (SEQ files). I have OS and PT and apps on C:
I hear you on the bit-rate thing. 16 bit can sound pretty good, and it's nice not have to do the extra step in dithering. I like to do mostly pop and rock, but I also get into the symphonic style with strings, pianos, and horns too, like film music, so I prefer the higher bit rate. With decent dithering software, it should be no problem going down to 16/44.1. I have done some 16/44.1 recording and it sounds pretty good I think, but I want to move into a higher quality.
Someone here suggested trying another USB port for the C400 interface, so I did that. I also did some tweaking with the ASIO driver and PT with latency and buffering. Rob at PG music had some good suggestions too.
Thanks to you and rharv for your help.
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