Crackling and struggling

orion-diaram wrote on 4/23/2018, 5:13 AM

Got a new problem occurring now.
I've started re-writing a piece that I made with OctaMed so many moons ago.
It all starts off fine, until things start getting busy.
Suddenly it starts to struggle, crackling and buffering.
I'm only using 3 instruments at a time, so I don't think it's a memory issue. In all I have 15 instruments loaded up ready to go, playing at certain intervals. Unless MMM consumes memory the more instruments you have up.
I've got 32Gb of memory and my graphics card is high end. My sound card is onboard.
Any ideas please?

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 4/23/2018, 6:49 AM

Hi

What is your full computer specification?

It would help if you put the following information in your signature so we do not have to keep asking for it

  • Computer specification - processor make/model, graphics card or chipset make/model, audio card or chipset make/model, RAM,  hard drive configuration and sizes?
  • Windows version and is it up to date?  Press and hold down the Windows key and the R key - in the dialog that opens type in winver and press enter.
  • Software full name and version number - as found under Help, About . . .

John EB

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

orion-diaram wrote on 4/23/2018, 6:57 AM

Hello again. Hope you're all good.
My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

johnebaker wrote on 4/23/2018, 8:12 AM

Hi

Thanks for the specs.

. . . . I'm only using 3 instruments at a time, so I don't think it's a memory issue. In all I have 15 instruments loaded up ready to go, . . . .

I suspect that there is either a buffer size issue, try adjusting these both up and down, in the program settings, or the PC is not powerful enough to handle the number of loaded instruments.

To test the latter, try a new project with only the three instruments loaded - is the play back OK?

HTH

John EB

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

orion-diaram wrote on 4/24/2018, 4:23 AM

Ok, I've tried everything, different sound sources, samples and buffer numbers. I find it hard to believe my machine isn't powerful enough as it's less than 6 months old and designed for c.g. the only thing I can think of now, is the onboard sound card. I don't think it can hack it, so it might be I need to install a card. They're expensive, so my music making days are put back on the shelf for a few months.
Another thing I wondered was my cpu speed. I've got it running at normal speed. Maybe if I zazz it up a bit, it might help.

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

johnebaker wrote on 4/24/2018, 5:05 AM

Hi

. . . . I find it hard to believe my machine isn't powerful enough as it's less than 6 months old and designed for c.g. . . . .

What is the make and model of the PC?

Can you confirm that the processor is an AMD FX-4350.

It will be capable of very good performance for CG which relies heavily on graphics card performance and the GTX 1050 Ti is a powerful GPU.

However the GPU is not used for playback of music so you are reliant on the CPU for performance.

For comparison I have an i5-4670K, 16GB RAM and Realtek HDA audio onboard, MMM 2018 with default buffer settings, and can play 14 tracks, each with a different instrument, simultaneously without crackling or stutter - RAM limits the number of instruments I can add to the timeline to 14.

HTH

John EB

 

 

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

orion-diaram wrote on 4/24/2018, 6:31 AM

Hello again.
My CPU is indeed FX.
I know what gpu can and can't do. ( not said with an attitude :) )
Now you got me wondering lol. I've been looking into sound cards. Not sure which is best, internal or external.
But if it's cpu a problem, then, going by your specs, maybe I should look at that instead.

 

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

johnebaker wrote on 4/24/2018, 8:54 AM

Hi

. . . . I know what gpu can and can't do. ( not said with an attitude :) ) . . . .

No problem - it is difficult to know where to pitch responses without knowing a users IT/software skill levels and, in this case, musical knowledge.

. . . . . But if it's cpu a problem, then, going by your specs, maybe I should look at that instead. . . . .

Ideally you should test before committing money to upgrading the CPU, if you know someone who has a PC with an i5 or i7 processor, preferably gen 6 or later, who will let you install MMM and test then that would be a bonus.

Out of sheer curiosity I have tried to overload MMM with a mashup/cacophony of 14 different MIDI instruments, I can only load 14 before running into memory errors, 13 of which had various effects applied to see what would happen, effects were chorus, reverb, vibrato, filtering, dual voicing, panning etc.

The result surprised me - I thought it would overload and glitch however it played smoothly as you can see below

HTH

John EB

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

browj2 wrote on 4/24/2018, 9:15 AM

Hi,

MusicMaker is a 32 bit program, which I presume means that it cannot address more than 4 GB of RAM. Is this so?

@orion-diaram

In your first message, you mention 3 instruments at a time is ok, but you have 15 loaded. Is there a possibility that 1 (or more) of the instruments is the cause? Are all of your instruments provided my Magix? If not, which third party ones are you using?

I too, have difficulty at times, but it seems to depend on which instruments are loaded. However, I have not done any proper testing.

John CB

John C.B.

VideoPro X(16); Movie Studio 2024 Platinum; MM2025 Premium Edition; Samplitude Pro X8 Suite; see About me for more.

Desktop System - Windows 10 Pro 22H2; MB ROG STRIX B560-A Gaming WiFi; Graphics Card Zotac Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX-3060, PS; Power supply EVGA 750W; Intel Core i7-10700K @ 3.80GHz (UHD Graphics 630); RAM 32 GB; OS on Kingston SSD 1TB; secondary WD 2TB; others 1.5TB, 3TB, 500GB, 4TB, 5TB, 6TB, 8TB; three monitors - HP 25" main, LG 4K 27" second, HP 27" third; Casio WK-225 piano keyboard; M-Audio M-Track USB mixer.

Notebook - Microsoft Surface Pro 4, i5-6300U, 8 GB RAM, 256 SSD, W10 Pro 20H2.

YouTube Channel: @JCBrownVideos

johnebaker wrote on 4/24/2018, 1:19 PM

@browj2

Hi John CB

. . . . MusicMaker is a 32 bit program, which I presume means that it cannot address more than 4 GB of RAM. Is this so? . . . .

It is - when I hit the memory limit with 14 instruments, in the overload test, the total memory used by MMM was about 1.7 GB and CPU usage between 17 and 21%, adding in all the effects made very little difference to the amount of RAM used.

If you look at the overload test instruments used - there are many third party VST's and several of them are quiet complex with multiple oscillators, filters and effects.

@orion-diaram

What is your PC's hard drive configuration and free space on the system drive?

Has the Windows page file size been changed?

HTH

John EB

 

Last changed by johnebaker on 4/24/2018, 1:22 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

orion-diaram wrote on 4/25/2018, 3:39 AM

@browj2
All of the instruments I've got have come from Magix, and I've been testing in case there's a problem with them. they work fine.

@johnebaker 

I've got a new 1tb HD and have used only 10% of it so far.
I was so close at getting it sorted, being able to play 5 instruments simultaneously, but as it passed the chorus, it started glitching again into the following verse. I looked into the program settings within Realtek to find it was using all this:-
Realtek HD Audio output
Realtek HD Audio Line input
Realtek HD Audio Mic input
Realtek HDA SPDIF Optical Out
Realtek HDA SPDIF Out

I turned off all but Realtek HD Audio output and it improved until the verse after the chorus.
The page size remains the same.
I checked out the benchmark for my cpu. It was 5336, which I think is pants I think.

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

johnebaker wrote on 4/25/2018, 6:13 AM

@orion-diaram

Hi

I do not think the Realtek is contributing to the issue - AFAIK everything is mixed down to stereo, or 5.1 surround sound if you are using that option, before it hits the audio card.

. . . . I checked out the benchmark for my cpu. It was 5336, which I think is pants I think. . . . .

For gaming or CG the CPU is OK as the GTX does the brunt of the work, however as you have found out it is at the lower end of the performance tables for speed.

John EB

 

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

orion-diaram wrote on 4/25/2018, 8:24 AM

It's degrading to think I got a rubbish cpu. (that's what happens if you don't do your homework.)
I've been looking in to them and seen slower Ghz, but at more than triple the score.
I'm hoping this won't effect the c.g I do.

Getting back to the mmm problem, Since taking the piano (which was never used) and the orchestra, things seem to be running fine. Strangely enough, I've brought back the orchestra and introduced an extra instrument and again, all seems to be fine..... Watch this space ....

 

My computer specs are:-

Processor: AMD(tm)-4350 Quad-Core Processor 4GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek / NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Software: Music Maker Version 25.1.2.78

johnebaker wrote on 12/25/2023, 12:54 PM

@JERRY-LEO

Hi

Please do not resurrect old topics - this one is over 5 yrs old and refers to an old version of the software.

I have hidden your comment.

John EB
Forum Moderator

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 23H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.