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Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials.

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:19 am
by FuzzyQuills
Hello. this be my first post, so...

Anyway, onto my two problems: I have found that I can do everything else fine, but testing notes with the keyboard while adjusting VST dials (Synth1 in this case) results in the window always freezing up! I then have to close it and all the RemoteVstPlugin32.exe processes afterwards! This only seems to occur with the VeSTige VST wrapper. (Other wrappers/instruments work fine)

I can also record notes without it freezing. so what's the deal? o_O

With my second problem, I thought maybe switching my audio back to DirectSound would help, but I get REALLY BAD distortion with that. I tried WASAPI and WDM-KS, but upon restart, both reset to the dummy driver! :( So, I am stuck with using the latest version of PortAudio with ASIO4ALL V2 (The only driver without distortion, and perfect playback)

My system:
CPU: Intel Core i3
Audio Card: I think it's an intel card, but all I see is IDT HD audio in Device manager.
RAM: 4GB
Version of LMMS: LMMS 1.0.3 64-bit

Could using the 64-bit version with a 32-bit VST be the problem? i also note that it doesn't happen as often when the computer is set to high performance instead of balanced.

Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials.

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:21 am
by FuzzyQuills
Ok, another test run: it appears it always happens after I play one note, then adjust dials, then play another note. after that, it freezes up!

Would having a 1024 audio buffer be the problem? :(

Re: Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 3:18 am
by StakeoutPunch
This is mostly related to LMMS's inefficiency at handling VSTs, but is also linked to computer with lower specs. Because setting the power mode to anything under high performance makes the computer run slower, you'll want to keep it on high performance when running things like LMMS. PortAudio with ASIO is your best option, no need to change that.

The end line is that when you change parameters (move knobs) LMMS can't keep up with it fast enough to keep the VST processes from stalling and crashing, etc. Included plugins don't have this problem because they are fully integrated into LMMS, unlike VSTs using the VeSTige wrapper.

Re: Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:52 pm
by musikbear
Could using the 64-bit version with a 32-bit VST be the problem?
Absolutely!
You should definately de-install and dl the correct version.
I would also recommend you to try SDLas audio driver
We always recommend SDL for windows. It is because it works really well, and is the most resurce lean option.
Your pc looks like a powerhouse, and you should not have issues at all
Try https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/d ... -win32.exe
Use the lmms-uninstaller -not windows remove!

Re: Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:16 pm
by StakeoutPunch
Installing 32bit LMMS for a 32bit VST will not fix this problem. If your windows is a 64bit installation then using the 64bit LMMS is the correct version for the computer.

Before changing anything regarding LMMS, make sure that LMMS is not being limited by the computer. While an i3 is nothing to sneeze at, it is the lower end of the Core series and unless it is the latest generation (Haswell) then it is prone to being overloaded if you are not on high power mode and trying to run multiple things at once.

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:22 pm
by FuzzyQuills
@musikbear: I wish... :D Believe it or not, I am doing this on a school lappy! :)
And how to get SDL to work? I tried typing the .sys driver name into the field, but I get no audio... :(

@Stakeout Punch: I am sure it isn't the computer, and yes, I do know it is probably not recommended I run on balanced when using this software. I also found a way around it, and that was to simply do dial adjustment, close GUI, play note, open, dials... You get the idea.

For now, that is probably the way to go for me. :) Also, like musikbear said, I hear SDL is a really good audio backend. how to get it to work on windows? I tried a tut relating to an audio driver, but it didn't work... :(

Oh, and for the record, due to the fact I got my laptop 4 years ago, it is still only second-gen core i3... :lol:

Re:

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:21 am
by StakeoutPunch
FuzzyQuills wrote:For now, that is probably the way to go for me. :) Also, like musikbear said, I hear SDL is a really good audio backend. how to get it to work on windows? I tried a tut relating to an audio driver, but it didn't work... :(

Oh, and for the record, due to the fact I got my laptop 4 years ago, it is still only second-gen core i3... :lol:
For starters, hooray for second gen Intel Core chips! I have a second gen i5 in my current laptop.

Also, I don't know which tutorial you looked at, but here is generally how to get SDL to work:
  • Open a Run dialog box (generally StartMenu->Run), type "dxdiag" and hit run.
  • Go to the sound tab. Your active sound driver is listed in the right box that is called "Drivers". You are right, it is a .sys file but because it didn't work when you tried earlier, I'm assuming you didn't use the correct one.
  • IF there is more than one sound tab, find out which one is your default by looking in the left box, called "Devices"
  • Type the correct .sys driver name exactly as it appears into the SDL box. Save settings and restart LMMS.
If this doesn't work, or you are confused about a step, holler at me :)

PS: Someone has to say this, but VST support on LMMS is lacking. I guarantee you that there will be at least one post after this one trying to justify the recent progress made on VST support, but the fact of the matter is that it still needs polishing. Right now, LMMS's VST support is a huge mixed bag depending on too many variables to have a set answer about. Some setups can run just about any VST in LMMS with no problem (like mine :D). Others can't even load the simplest of VSTs.

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 3:14 am
by FuzzyQuills
Ok... I look into dxdiag, and it shows three tabs:

first one is stwrt64.sys (Ok, that's my audio driver)

second one is dfx11_1x64.sys (Leftover file from DFX audio enhancer, I don't use it anymore.)

third one is stwrt64.sys- wait! WHAT?! I have a second one?!

No wonder I have issues: it seems there is TWO of the same driver's installed!

So.. what now? :/

EDIT: It appears the extra file relates to a pair of headphones I used in my ITS class (A Microsoft LiveChat headset)
Will try uninstalling it and seeing what happens.

Re: Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 5:08 am
by StakeoutPunch
In the lower left of the tab, in the Devices section, look for this line: "Default Device: Yes/No"

The one that says Yes is the one you will want to enter.

Re: Issue with constant freezing when adjusting Synth1 dials

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 11:17 am
by musikbear
uhoh ooops i misunderstood your
"Could using the 64-bit version with a 32-bit VST be the problem?"

Actually read it as if you had a 32x OS, and had installed lmms x64
my bad
8|