Playback buffer peaking.

[wonder]

I know that "running off an internal" might be a SAFE answer ... but it doesnt solve our query as to WHY DP is running so poorly on this MAC. Considering this drive runs GREAT on every other computer we have in the studio, it must be an issue with this quad-core.

There is nothing else on the FW buss (its connected to the 400 port in the front).

There are no VI's running cause I've dumped all VI MIDI tracks to real audio tracks.

Is there a program that runs tests on RAM? (maybe my RAM is faulty?) ... but wouldnt that make my CPU spike and not the PLAYBACK buffer spike? The playback buffer denotes problems grabbing the audio from the drive and playing it back, correct?

[kassonica]

I would try the internal drive just to see if it is in fact the FW drive.

Also try another FW port both on the drive and the computer.

[wonder]

The same drive, using the same port on the drive, using a DIFFERENT computer works fine.

So ... using that logic, it's either the computers FW port or DP (maybe a file in the session is corrupted?).

[kassonica]

The same drive, using the same port on the drive, using a DIFFERENT computer works fine.

So ... using that logic, it's either the computers FW port or DP (maybe a file in the session is corrupted?).

Intel FW chips seem to be a little more sensitive to FW chips in drives

I would really try my suggestions if you can.

[wonder]

how does one defrag in OSX?

[kassonica]

A very easy way is to drag the contents of the drive on to another drive, then use disk utility and zero the drive and simply drag the info back on.

There are other programs available but you have to buy em.

[Frodo]

I was curious--

Are these sustained peaks throughout the playback or momentary peaks at the very beginning of playback that go back to "normal" once playback gets going along?

[Tonio]

something is definately wrong here. I could almost run that set on my G4 dual 800 with no prob'

did you try loading on a fresh project?

dump unused bytes?

pre buffer?

what's that DVD icon on the desktop doing?

did you repair the boot drive off CD?

T

[wonder]

This is what will happen with the buffer. I'll start play back and it will almost "rev up" about every half second then go back down. Every time it revs up it'll go further and further to the right till eventually peaking (spiking), then move to the left, then back to the right till eventually tracks stop playing back one by one until finally its completely peaking in the red nonstop and NO tracks are playing back.

I did get rid of unused sound bytes.
I do have PREFILL BUFFER selected.
My buffer is set to 1024.
I have NO edits in any tracks.

[Shooshie]

This is what will happen with the buffer. I'll start play back and it will almost "rev up" about every half second then go back down. Every time it revs up it'll go further and further to the right till eventually peaking (spiking), then move to the left, then back to the right till eventually tracks stop playing back one by one until finally its completely peaking in the red nonstop and NO tracks are playing back.

Whoa! That is seriously whacked. I'm thinking along the lines of RAM problems -- hardware related problems. I would try removing RAM, one pair at a time and see if it still does it, and/or trying different audio interfaces, cables, etc. Try it with System audio, and see if that makes any difference. But this is seriously messed up, and is not any DP problem that I've ever seen.

Shooshie

[wonder]

Wouldn't I notice RAM problems in other unrelated areas? (other apps not working correctly)

[kassonica]

Turn off pre fill buffer.

And try again