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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 201
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 201 |
Hello fellow recordists! I recently had victory over frustratingly intermittent audio drops with a Windows 10 64-bit PC (Dell 8930). Thanks to the kind and knowledgeable folks here, on the SOS forum, and others, I compiled a list of possible conflicts that I thought might be helpful to those experiencing similar issues. In my case, I was using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Mixcraft Pro Studio 9, plus BIAB/RealBand. In the end, however, the problems lay squarely with Windows settings and Dell's contributions. Unfortunately, I can't say exactly what finally fixed it, but there were cumulative improvements along the way. Here then, is my list of suggestions.
• Be sure that you PC’s BIOS and OS are up to date
• Check in Device Manager, that devices have current drivers. You may find System Firmware, Network Adapters, etc. could be updated
• Windows’ generic HD audio driver is superior to the Realtek driver for WAVE or WaveRT
• For ASIO audio interfaces, plug directly into a USB port, not a powered hub. If a USB 2.0 device, plug it into a 2.0 port (best to avoid 3.0). Be sure your USB cable is healthy
• Set audio to 44.1K 24-bit
• A 256 samples buffer size should suffice on modern PCs for recording and initial mixing. Increase to 512 MB towards mixdown if needed
• Be sure your DAW settings match your interface’s and Windows’ settings
• Use a High-Performance power scheme, being sure that no drive(s) in use can sleep or compress
• In Device Manager, be sure that no USB port can sleep
• Uncheck ‘Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device’ anywhere it appears (Properties)
• Consider disabling unused audio devices (i.e. audio on graphics cards [NVIDIA, Intel])
• Consider disabling any used GPUs (graphics cards [e.g. if you have more than one card for gaming])
• Remove or disable your PC manufacturer’s ‘bloatware.’ While a diagnostic might be useful at times, they can negatively impact a recordist. Classic suspects are Dell’s SupportAssist and SupportAssist Remediation services, which can be disabled in the Task Manager
• In Task Manager, limit the apps that start up automatically. If you don’t need them at startup/reboot, set them so that they must be opened manually when needed
• Known resource ‘hogs’ include Skype, and NVIDIA GPUs
• Many recordists will disable their network adapter and antivirus while recording/mixing
• Install LatencyMon (LatMon) from Resplendence to check your system’s latency: dxgkrnl.sys, Wdf01000.sys, msmpeng.exe, and nvlddmkm.sys are drivers commonly called-out by LatMon as problematic
Best, Warren
Warren A. Keller- Woodwindist/Producer
Spontaneous Groovin' Combustion
Tune 9 Music- SESAC
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
This is good. A suggested clarification for this: plug directly into a USB port is, plug directly into a USB port (use a port on the back of the computer if you have a desktop)
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590 |
Good points. I've had issues with using USB ports at the front of my PCs.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
This is the one that caught my eye: • Uncheck ‘Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device’ anywhere it appears (Properties)
I've read conflicting reports about this. Anybody have an insight into this setting?
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
I do not allow any applications to take exclusive control of a device. So far, that has not caused a problem.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766 |
We generally recommend not to allow applications to take exclusive control of a device - often this is the fix for audio issues in Windows 10.
I work here
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
Simon, welcome to the forum. Thanks for confirming.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
Yes, thanks Simon. Appreciate your help and insight into this issue.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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