PCIe-424 + HD192 pops/cracks

[vanielik]

I used the HD192 with a PCI-324 for years without any problems.

Since I upgraded my system to Win7 64bit I had to buy a PCIe-424.

I notice now that there are pops/crackles on certain audio tracks.
I found this only applys to some of the audio chanels. Ch 6 and 10 are most affected.
The problem only occurs, when there is a soft audio signal on the input.
I did a test setup and found that I get most pops/cracks with a brown noise (set around -60dB).

Here is what I tried so far to solve the problem:
newest drivers MOTU Universal Audio Installer 4.0.5.8373
tested all standard audio settings - buffer sizes, sample rates etc
tried all PCIe424 Audiowire slots
changed FW cable
deactivated On Board Audio
tried all PCIe slots
Removed gfx card - using the CPU internal now

thanks for any idea or tip how to solve this

[torrentg]

I'm very good at spotting issues or potential issues not just in audio systems, but all Windows systems for whatever reason.

If you'd like to, you can upload your system info to any online host then paste a link here.

First though, check if you have files in C:\Windows\Minidump

If you do, copy them to any other folder then zip and upload.

If not, then type msinfo32 in the Start menu, then press Enter. File | Save on the opened screen. The saved file is then what you should upload and paste a link here to, instead.

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Things you can do on your end for troubleshooting purposes right now.

1) Completely uninstall any and all security software. Do not just disable. Obviously, do not use the computer to visit unknown websites or otherwise download stuff while testing.

2) Use CPU-Z to compare the SPD and Memory tabs to see if your memory is set properly by the system's bios.

3) If you have any fancy mouse and/or keyboard, physically remove it/them and (for testing purposes only for now) use generic hardware that doesn't need 3rd party drivers installed. For example, a cheapo kb and mouse. (If Logitech, don't bother. Their drivers are good. An example of a bad one would be Razer.)

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But in all honesty, all the above being said, if it really is only on channels 6 and 10, that seems like it might be the HD192's issue. We can try though.

It can't hurt to install the latest firmware for it.

[vanielik]

thanks for your reply torrenttg

here you find some info about my system:
http://www.FastShare.org/download/systeminfo_small.txt
some german language...but I think you can get the data


and here is a picture where you see which tracks are affected mostly.
http://s7.directupload.net/images/131020/zrf4hcra.jpg
Dont have any problems on Track 1,2,5,7,8,9.

To me it doesnt look like a PC/windows problem.

I think it might be a hardware problem and I will try to "reanimate" my old winxp PC with the PCI-324 card to check if the HD192 is still okay.

btw: how can I update the firmware of the HD192?
now it is: firmw 1.1 hardw 1.1

[James Steele]

I'm very good at spotting issues or potential issues not just in audio systems, but all Windows systems for whatever reason.

Just wanted to say, as a Mac guy and admin of this site, thanks torrentg for the tremendous help you are to Windows users here!

[torrentg]

No doubt, James. You're welcome!

Vanielik, the file you uploaded is only helpful a little at the moment. For some reason, you made a .txt file instead of an .nfo file. What will be worlds more helpful is if you click File | Save on the opened screen instead. It will save an .nfo file with all the relevant info I need.


Those spikes in your screenshot are reminiscent of a problem here I noticed which has nothing to do with the interface. When I open certain video files in Sound Forge, it creates those spikes, just by opening the file itself (when the file actually does not contain them in the data!) Perhaps try another DAW just for the heck of it, in the meantime, until I can see everything in the .nfo.

[vanielik]

I reactivated my old winxp PC with the PCI-324 and did a test.

Still getting clicks/pops on the same tracks Im quite sure now that there is something wrong with my HD192.
It worked perfect for many years but... unfortunately the failure came along with my system change.

Anything I can do about it?
Firmware 1.1 Hardware 1.1

Guess I need some technical advise from Motu now.

[torrentg]

Well, I can't see a factory reset on the unit helping with your issue, but it definitely falls into the category of something that should be tried.

If the 192 is doing it on multiple systems with 2 different card types even, something is amiss with the unit - OR - both systems have the same problem caused by the same admin of them doing the same to both or using some software on both.

I can still look at the .nfo if you'd like (can't hurt none) - and another idea is to swap another hard drive into a machine while removing the original. Clean install Windows with nothing else on it besides MOTU driver and other bare essentials, to test.

[torrentg]

...just received your p.m.

I'll have a look and post in a bit about it.

[torrentg]

In no specific order of importance, things I would do to the machine.

1) Update Flash. Do this twice. Once for Internet Explorer and again for all other browsers you might be using:

http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer.html

2) You have a Gigabyte motherboard, but it is not specifying which. The very first factory bios version is installed: "BIOS-Version/-Datum American Megatrends Inc. F1, 02.11.2012" for it.

I would visit Gigabyte's website to download the latest bios flash for it (use CPU-Z to see exact model if necessary). Close all programs on the machine and use Task Manager to do so for some if necessary. Let the machine sit for a few minutes and if it is still stable, then proceed with the flash.

3) Install this for your Realtek onboard audio and be sure to follow the instructions on the screen about rebooting etc... : http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dow ... Down=false

4) The Intel HD 4000 graphic driver could use an update:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail ... pe=Drivers

5) Install Intel .inf update utility: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail ... 6&lang=eng

6) Visit your motherboard site to download and install USB 3.0 drivers for both your Intel ports and Via ports.

7) IF (again, I repeat IF) the Windows is legitimate and paid for and all that good stuff with no activation hacks applied, then open a command prompt (type cmd.exe in the Start menu and press Enter) and run this command in it:

sfc /scannow

It will check all the system files and make any repairs if necessary. Be sure to follow the simple instructions on the screen, if any.

Be sure to do this from an Administrator's account or if not, then elevate the command prompt program by right clicking on it in the start menu and choosing "Run as Administrator" instead of pressing Enter, when it is shown.

8) Use Ccleaner to clean the machine of junk files, and then use it again to clean the registry.

Many on the net rightfully say not to use reg cleaners and the like, but this software is golden and will never ever cause issues while doing what it does.

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Please feel free to ask any questions and send me a new .nfo after these things have been done, if necessary.

I don't know the latest version of Skype or what you have is it, but I would update that to latest too if it already is not.

Whatever this SP_Connector software is, I would uninstall it as it has been having problems. If you absolutely need it, then see about updating it if possible.

[torrentg]

It would also be a good idea to do a Windows Update after all of the above.

Your current Windows version is "Hardwareabstraktionsebene Version = "6.1.7601.17514"

Mine is 7601.18247.x86fre.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532.

Although mine is 32 bit and yours is 64, your 17514 will be updated to 18247 like mine.

[vanielik]

I will follow your advices for overall PC health

Let me give quick reply to some of the points:

2. Its a Gigabyte Z77X-UD4H

3+4 The Realtek is usually deactivated in Bios. Just activated it now for my tests. Same goes for the HD4000. But I will check for the updates.

6. latest Drivers for my MoBo should be installed.
I went on Gigabyte side several times to check for updates but there is nothing newer, except the Beta Bios.

7. Yes it is a legitimate, paid and registered Windows Version
It frequently does updates (getting a notice whenever there is an update available)
Just went on the "windows update" and it says "there are no updates available" except 2 optionals that I dont need
(MS Silverlight and Bing...)
Furthermore this PC is (so far ) 100% free from any hacked/cracked software. Its just a clean installation of my basic programms/plugins + a steam account for a few games.

8. Im using Tuneup Utilities usually - havent installed it here so far (cause I didnt like the latest version so much).
But I will give the Ccleaner a try.

SP_Connector is my Samsung Printer Connector Software. It sometimes fails to see the Scanner...but for the rest its working fine (as a network printer).

----- back to HD192 -------

Im sure the updates wont change the HD192 failure.
I went on my old Motu 1224 (spare interface)+ PCIe424.
Thats running without problems now.

The HD192 was running without any issues for several years on my winxp PC.
I plugged the HD192 to this old PC (I didnt use it meanwhile), no change at all - wasnt even connected to internet.
But now I get the same clips/pops, on the same tracks.
To me thats pretty sure a hardware issue of the HD192.

*btw
my main DAW/Audio Software is Cubase 5.5.3 and Wavelab 7 (I own the latest Version of Cubase 7, but dont like it so much...).

[torrentg]

Damn, sorry to hear about that, because like you say, it does seem like a 192 issue.

I use Cubase 5 too and like it a lot.

In case you missed it in all of the above, have you tried a factory reset on the 192 yet at all?

MOTU is probably going to have to fix this thing. Hopefully they don't charge too much if it is out of warranty. To give an idea, it cost me $100 to have my Traveler replaced when I was drunk and plugged the firewire cable in upside down, which blew its FW chip.

The upside was that the unit they sent me in return was brand new or very much seemed so.

[vanielik]

In case you missed it in all of the above, have you tried a factory reset on the 192 yet at all?

As far as I know (and googled) there is no "reset option" for the HD192.

[torrentg]

I was just reading the manual for the 424 systems. It seems they operate differently than the FW/USB units in ways I didn't know about.

Here is the manual: http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/pci-au ... de_Win.pdf

I did find interesting items on page 64.

It says "Mismatched sample rates cause distortion and crackling..."

Have you tried setting the MOTU PCI Audio Console software to use PCI-424 -OR- HD192 as the clock source? If so, tried something else?

I dunno...I'm sure you have. Just had to mention this since it seems to describe the problem, even if it is not your cause.

[vanielik]

yes I tried different clock sources like PCI-424 and HD192 internal.

But usually you would get crackling/distortion on all tracks, if there is any clock problem.