Totally bizarre software/hardware problem

[JSmith1234567]

I'm using DP with an Apogee Ensemble at home, and a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 when I'm traveling.

When I'm at home, the output levels are all fine.

When I use the Focusrite instead, my DP output meters are pinning.

I can hear distortion on playback.

Same project, no changes whatsoever except plugging into the different interface.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[bayswater]

Maybe a problem with the settings in Focusrite mix control panel?

[Shooshie]

I started a reply, but I don't know the answer. It set off a rant, though, on why it's not easier to get a signal from start to end without distorting it somewhere up the chain. Once you finally get all the settings, it's not so hard, but getting there can be a lengthy process.

Anyway, I moved my rant to another post, so as not to distract from this one.
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... =9&t=60595

Please tend to this thread before jumping to that one!

Shooshie

[JSmith1234567]

I'll look at that, thanks!

It is initially weird to me, because it's all happening in DP, not Focusrite's Mix Control.

I don't understand this part...does DP look at what interface you have and somehow change it's gain structure? That doesn't made sense to me, although I guess anything could be true.

I thought DP just looked at hardware as inputs and outputs, and didn't change any kind of gain-structure internally to match it.

It's not that DP would care about the Focusrite being @ +4 or -10, it just sends audio out of the DAW?

Or maybe there is something I don't understand about how DP sees hardware?

Anyways...I'll look at what you said, and THANKS!

[cuttime]

Have you checked the levels in the Audio MIDI Setup?

[Shooshie]

I'll look at that, thanks!

It is initially weird to me, because it's all happening in DP, not Focusrite's Mix Control.

I don't understand this part...does DP look at what interface you have and somehow change it's gain structure? That doesn't made sense to me, although I guess anything could be true.

I thought DP just looked at hardware as inputs and outputs, and didn't change any kind of gain-structure internally to match it.

It's not that DP would care about the Focusrite being @ +4 or -10, it just sends audio out of the DAW?

Or maybe there is something I don't understand about how DP sees hardware?

Anyways...I'll look at what you said, and THANKS!

None of the above. DP just outputs a signal at whatever level you set it. I think one problem people can have is that their interface hardware can have bizarre level controls, such that you end up getting in a habit of setting your levels a certain way in DP, and then when you change interfaces, that's no longer valid. (See my rant, linked above) I have no way of telling if that's your problem here, or if it's something entirely unrelated. But DP doesn't change your levels to suit a piece of gear.

One possible issue is the Work Priority setting. (Page 29 of the Getting Started Manual) It is supposed to be set to the maximum that will work on your hardware. MOTU devices allow the highest setting. Some devices need lower settings. Basically (I think; don't quote me on this), that's setting how much priority your CPU allots to DP, vs. how much your other devices need. If you set it too high for DP, some other device may not get enough CPU time. I don't know if that could affect your particular issue or not (probably not), but it's something that popped into my head. Otherwise, I got nuthin'.

Shoosh

[JSmith1234567]

Hey thanks!

I'll check that out!

[Don T]

Hello,
In the case of my Lynx Aurora certain drivers caused the Lynx mixer to establish routings parallel to core audio. So it would be louder and sometimes comb filtered with latency. Once I got the correct driver installed (not the current one) it settled down.

Don

[JSmith1234567]

Thanks Don!

That got me wondering...I switch interfaces in DP's studio setup, but not in Audio/MIDI setup.

I wonder if this would have an effect?

[Don T]

Hello,
My situation was pretty bizarre. Any time I changed a setting in the audio engine (buffer size, clock rate etc) it would establish these phantom routings. I could open the lynx mixer and cycle the mutes off then back on and the phantom path would go away. Truly weird behavior.

Try opening Cuemix and or whatever software comes with your interface and see if there are enabled routings when you switch drivers
Don

[David_Focusrite]

HI JSmith1234567,

The behavior you described does sound a bit more DAW related but it will be good to open MixControl and go to: File > Clear All Settings and then go to File > Restore Factory Defaults.

At that point does the clipping persist in your DAW? If it does can you tell me what version of MixControl you are using along with the version of OSX?

It may be worth populating new Audio MIDI plist files and repairing disk permissions.

To do this close ALL audio programs and then delete the following files:
1. Navigate to Macintosh HD> Library> Preferences> Audio> *Delete both of the .plist files in this folder**
2. With Finder open, click on the "Go" Menu, hold the "Option" key on your keyboard (exposing the Library) and choose Library> Preferences> Delete the "com.apple.audio.AudioMIDISetup.plist" file

Once deleted go to Finder > Go > Utilities > Disk Utility and choose your Mac HD and select repair disk permissions. Once done, empty the trash and reboot.

What are your findings?

Best,
David // Focusrite Technical Support