Issues with ASIO drivers

Russell-Cashin wrote on 11/17/2022, 6:17 PM

So I have installed Music Maker on two of my computers and find the ASIO drivers to be horrible. I have also tried the ASIO4ALL and that seems to be no better. On both computers the sound playback is inconsistent when using ASIO (any driver) while on my older desktop the pc crashes if I leave Music Maker open too long (the BSOD). Is there any way to prevent the ASIO drivers from loading with the program?

Comments

emmrecs wrote on 11/18/2022, 3:46 AM

@Russell-Cashin

Welcome to the Magix user to user forums.

Exactly which version and edition of MM do you have? For all recent versions, to change the audio driver go to File>Settings> Program settings (shortcut P) and go the Audio/MIDI tab. On the left hand side select one of the other driver options (Wave Driver or Direct Sound).

However, for the majority of users, including me, the ASIO driver is much to be preferred and overall much more reliable. I would want to be discovering why any ASIO driver created such problems as you are apparently experiencing! If you would like our help in this, please try and describe in more detail exactly what is horrible about them.

Jeff
Forum Moderator

Russell-Cashin wrote on 11/18/2022, 11:04 AM

I have Music Maker Premium version 31.0.1.13. It is installed on a Windows 10 64 bit laptop with an Intel 7 8560u cpu and on an older Windows 10 64 bit desktop with an Intel i7 3770 cpu. I have tried the Magix low latency 2016 ASIO driver (horrible), the Music Maker ASIO (sometimes works) and even the ASIO4All version 2.15 which almost never works either (I have used version 2.13 in the past with success). However, on both computers the ASIO drivers just don't seem stable and playback is just horrible sounding at times. These are two different computers with different built-in sound cards so I don't think it is the hardware. I have generally found the Direct Sound drivers with Music Maker have more consistent playback, but my concern is that my desktop has given me the BSOD twice when I left Music Maker open for extended periods of time and wondered if the ASIO drivers could be the cause?

johnebaker wrote on 11/19/2022, 11:22 AM

@Russell-Cashin

. . . . two different computers with different built-in sound cards . . . .

What are the built in audio chipsets make and model? You may have to look at the motherboard specs to get these as they may not show up in Device Manager.

. . . . Windows 10 64 bit desktop with an Intel i7 3770 cpu . . . . desktop has given me the BSOD twice when I left Music Maker open for extended periods of time and wondered if the ASIO drivers could be the cause. . .

Given the age of this PC, this could be an overheating issue with RAM or the CPU - when was the last time the PC was given a though clean inside to remove accumulated dust, also check that the CPU fan is functioning correctly.

The only time the ASIO driver may cause an issue with this PC is if the onboard audio chipset does not support ASIO or the drivers are not up to date or they are Windows 7 or 8 drivers.

John EB
Forum Moderator

Russell-Cashin wrote on 11/19/2022, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the response John.

I just ran the older computer through RAM tests (both Windows and Memtest86) which all pass. I recently cleaned the computer prior to installing Music Maker, however, the computer was booting using MBR and so I have converted it to GPT and now boot with UEFI and Secure Boot. Not that these changes should make much difference to Music Maker. I also performed a Windows 10 in-place upgrade due to a problem with DISM failing which now shows no errors when checking the Windows image health. All the drivers are up-to-date as is the bios (the motherboard is an Intel Desktop manufactured in 2013). I have not had an issue with the computer since these changes, but I have not run Music Maker either. The sound on that desktop computer is a Realtek high definition audio with drivers dated 7/13/2021. I'm thinking maybe there was a corruption in Windows 10 which may be the reason for the BSOD when using Music Maker so I will try Music Maker again and see if that problem still occurs.

As for the Laptop i7, it is only three years old and recently refurbished with a new Windows 10 install (can run Windows 11, but I'm not ready for that yet). The sound is Conexant ISST Audio with drivers dated 11/18/2021. Music Maker has never cause a BSOD on the laptop, but the ASIO drivers just don't play well. The ASIO4ALL version 2.15 is worst with the Magix low latency a close second. The Music Maker ASIO has worked sometimes, but isn't as stable as just using direct sound.

I may try ASIO4ALL version 2.13 as that one did work at one time on my other audio programs and I still have the software since 2.15 is horrible. I just wish I felt good about the ASIO that comes with Music Maker.

Russ

johnebaker wrote on 11/19/2022, 2:48 PM

@Russell-Cashin

Thanks for the sound card info.

. . . . Realtek high definition audio . . . . Conexant ISST Audio . . . .

These should be good for use with ASIO.

For the Realtek I had an issue with mine running on the Microsoft drivers on my PC and had to replace them with the original drivers from Realtek.

For both audio devices, check the sound settings, and Windows Sound settings have no 'enhancement' effects applied and that all system sounds are turned off they have been known to cause issues.

HTH

John EB

Russell-Cashin wrote on 12/3/2022, 11:12 AM

I have found the low latency Magix 2016 seems to work pretty well. Finally!! Thanks.