delta 44 re-install nightmare

larryo wrote on 2/4/2003, 4:16 PM
I just got done loading 98SE upgrade onto win 98, downloaded all the latest drivers from most of my devices, and just about took out my event powered monitors when I launched a vegas project. My wav files play at what seems to be maximum volume and my Maudio delta 44 control panel doesn't respond to fader changes. In fact, my monitor channel doesn't even display activity on the delta control panel. Only the channel titled "Wav out" shows movement, but doesn't react to fader changes, including muting. I run my vegas projects with only 1 stereo buss, and have verified that all routing is set as it was before. I can decrease my monitor volume only by dropping this master buss fader within the vegas project, but that won't do. I've tried emailing midiman, but got nutin...I hoping there's just a bonehead oversight somewhere in here, but I can't seem to find it. I've tried to delete the device and re-install the older drivers from my original CD, but no luck. If anyone has an idea, please let me know. I'm about ready to pull out my Tascam portastudio and acoustic guitar and crawl into the woods...

Comments

MJhig wrote on 2/4/2003, 4:37 PM
M-Audio usually requires using thier uninstaller included with their drivers at their website along with deleting a couple of files before updating/changing the drivers. If you download the drivers and drag the downloaded file into Winzip classic view you will see the readme.txt with the directions. I believe the instructions and why is listed at their website also.

MJ
larryo wrote on 2/4/2003, 7:12 PM
I actually was able to restore my "normal" operation by finally re-installing my "via 4-1 driver kit" Cd..hey whatever works. Nevertheless, the improvement I was looking for isn't there (other than no lockups so far as when I was using win 98). I still get audio gapping in the "thick" parts of songs. I have a P3, 600 mhz, 30 gig 7200 rpm IDE, plus a second,smaller drive I use only for mastered 24 bit sound forge 2-tracks, 256 ram. Prior to launching vegas, I disable everything except my sys tray and explorer. An example track would be 15 stereo tracks (not all running throughout), maybe 8 plugs (sf delays, eq, etc), 24 bit/44.1...When I get to the most active part of the song (all wav files playing, plugs, etc), I start clicking and gapping. Once past this point, it gets steady again. I'm running the playback buffer full (2.0) for the least amount of gapping. I've tried reducing it, but it incrementally gets worse as I head left. Drives are de-fragged. Am I expecting too much from this old box??
MJhig wrote on 2/4/2003, 8:30 PM
I'd say so, 15 stereo tracks is 30 mono tracks. I have an AMD Athlon 550, 384 Mb SDRAM that flies compared to the PIII 600 & 700s I constantly work on (I'm the family PC repairman) and 30 tracks with plug-ins would choke it for sure. I generally run around 10 - 12 mono tracks with 3 plug-ins in each track including Acoustic Mirror with no problems. My buffer is .48 seconds. Learning where to conserve on these *obsolete machines* is a must. If you get much more than that, that box is rockin.

MJ
Baylo wrote on 2/6/2003, 9:50 AM
Yeah - I think you're expecting too much. Audio seems to be a function of three things: a well-written driver (pretty much rules out anything by Creative), processor speed, and latency setting. Any system will start crackling when you have too much going on. The way to improve it is to do one or more of the following: improve the driver, buy a faster processor, or increase the latency setting.

I used to have PIII 667MHz running Cubase and I could get a decent number of virtual instruments running, but only at a latency of 15+ ms (this with a Delta44 soundcard). I just upgraded to a 2.4GHz PIV, and I can do the same thing at much lower latencies.

If you don't want to splash out on new hardware, the only reasonable option is to increase latency.

Hope that helps,

Mark