How to make a studio computer ???

[Caj]

Hi all , I have a question about the DPC Latency checker . Even if I don´t hear any dropouts or glitches ( only when

Im composing with bad Vsti or have too high in/output ) DPC is between 1000 us and 8000 us . Can I trust DPC Latency

checker ? I have pretty good PC : Windows 7 64 bit SP1 , i7 2600K 3.40 GHz , RAM 16 GB , Motherboard Asus P8Z68-V PRO

GEN3 , 4 harddrives : 1: SSD 120GB ( OS+programs ) 2: SATA 700GB ( samplelibrary and vsi effects ), 3: SATA 1TB

(REAPER and Audio-Mulch projects , 4: SATA 1.5 TB (storage drive). Graphiccard : Gigabyte GeForce GT 520 passive

cooling . Power supply 800W . Audio interface: Motu UltraLite mk3 hybrid .Keyboard : M-Audio Keystudio (not so good).
Sometimes I got problems with to high in/output and I can then hear gitches and drop- outs .
I have believed that this causes of my bad knowledge how to make the right in/out settings , but can it be any other

problem ? DPC says that I have device drivers that behave bad and that I shall try to disable/re-enable various

devices . For ex network , W-LAN adapters , usb host controllers . But I have to bad computer knowledge to do that .
Anyone who have any advice to make my PC more like a studio computer ?
Would be grateful for some advice .

[danfuerth]

Well this is going to be a train ride lol.

My recommendation is always as follow

1.Start with the BIOS, any cpu stepping features MUST BE DISABLED, Intel is notorious for this

2.Next up is the system settings, make sure any visuals are off, system is set to background services priority

3.Swap file ( this is an never ending discussion) OFF!!! although others will say LEAVE IT ON.

4.System services - NO BRAINER All non needed services off.

5.Prepare to make a custom batch so that when Reaper runs, DHCP, WIFI and other services are disabled

Disable any hardware that you do not use from Device Manager( set it to disable don't uninstall it)

Disable system sounds

WIFI on windows 7 is notorious for Audio issues.



I have the Windows 7 Super service batch and the Windows 8 Super service batch on the forums, look for my name on there.


Start with inside the PC, open up the cover, anything blocking the fans, wiring all neatly arranged.. Hardrives plugged in the right order?

Primary harddrive alone as Master, any slaves hooked up to it?, can you seperate those slaves...

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

Well this is going to be a train ride lol.

My recommendation is always as follow

1.Start with the BIOS, any cpu stepping features MUST BE DISABLED, Intel is notorious for this

2.Next up is the system settings, make sure any visuals are off, system is set to background services priority

3.Swap file ( this is an never ending discussion) OFF!!! although others will say LEAVE IT ON.

4.System services - NO BRAINER All non needed services off.

5.Prepare to make a custom batch so that when Reaper runs, DHCP, WIFI and other services are disabled

Disable any hardware that you do not use from Device Manager( set it to disable don't uninstall it)

Disable system sounds

WIFI on windows 7 is notorious for Audio issues.



I have the Windows 7 Super service batch and the Windows 8 Super service batch on the forums, look for my name on there.


Start with inside the PC, open up the cover, anything blocking the fans, wiring all neatly arranged.. Hardrives plugged in the right order?

Primary harddrive alone as Master, any slaves hooked up to it?, can you seperate those slaves...

Very much thanks ! 1: what is CPU stepping ???
2: The only thing I´ve done so far .
3: What is Swap file ???
4: How do I do this ???
5: ??????? How do I find them and how do I disable ?
I have disabled Asus bluetooth, Nvidia high definition audio and Realtek High definition audio .The rest : how do I know what is necesseray ???
I have disabled aystem sounds .
How do I disable WIFI ???
Nothing is blocking the fans .
Wiring is neatly arranged .
The last advice : What do you mean ???
As you see , my computer knowledge is really bad .
Thanks again , if I know how to do.... ????

[Caj]

I found your Windows 7 ultimate-Pro Auto Serices disable tool : http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=113023
Is that Windows 7 Super service batch ?
But was it batch ? I don´t understand . I have only composed computer/electronic music for 1 1/2 year . Before that I had never used a computer at all, so much of what you say is like reading on a language I never learn´t . I really need some help .

[danfuerth]

The Windows 7 batch only disables services that are meant for corporate use and have no business being in a consumer OS.

So nothing is disabled that you need to run your system, only the "baggage" is disabled.
You can use the batch to tweek your system to trim out the waste.

Just copy the batch code into a text file and save that text file and rename the extension from .txt to .bat

then right click the batch file and "run as administrator"



Since you have an intel please check this post, as it explains why you should disabled the INtel speed step.

In fact this post should be something you sould be looking at as the OP had issues with his new system.

So all the posts contain tips and excellent information for you.


http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=116534
Post # 24 has a screenshot for the Intel stuff.

keep reading after that there is tip after tip

[Caj]

In what text file ? the notepad ?

[danfuerth]

Yep, open up notepad and paste the batch info on there.

[Caj]

OK ,I have done that but how do I rename the extension from .txt to .bat ?

[Caj]

I goggled : "save as" "batchcode.bat" . And then I had an Windows batchfile .
I rightclicked and "run as adminidtrator" . Is that right ?

[Caj]

I have uninstalled Nvidia 3D , can I uninstall Nvidia 3D vision drivers controller and Nvidia HD audiodrivers ?

[KenC]

Originally Posted by Caj

OK ,I have done that but how do I rename the extension from .txt to .bat ?

Hit save in notepad, in the file save dialog at the bottom it says "save as type" change that to "all files" and you can type "filename.bat" without getting .txt stuck on the end.

[Caj]

Thanks , I could run the batchcode . And now I tried the LatencyMon and it says the same .The highest us is from Nvidia Kernel Mode Driver and DirectX graphics kernel.9045us.

[Caj]

After uninstalling all unnecessary nvidia stuff ( only the graphic drives and update is left )Latency Mon tells me that I have drop outs and clicks ( I can´t hear it and I have a very good hearing and Dynaudio monitor speakers ).
I runned your batchcode . I have also done what I understand from the list you gave me this morning .
The highest us is from the kernel-mode driver framework runtime (167-1199 us).
But No 1 and 4 I don´t know how to do with ???

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

The Windows 7 batch only disables services that are meant for corporate use and have no business being in a consumer OS.

So nothing is disabled that you need to run your system, only the "baggage" is disabled.
You can use the batch to tweek your system to trim out the waste.

Just copy the batch code into a text file and save that text file and rename the extension from .txt to .bat

then right click the batch file and "run as administrator"



Since you have an intel please check this post, as it explains why you should disabled the INtel speed step.

In fact this post should be something you sould be looking at as the OP had issues with his new system.

So all the posts contain tips and excellent information for you.


http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=116534
Post # 24 has a screenshot for the Intel stuff.

keep reading after that there is tip after tip

I have tried to do what I can of your advices , but I have still not the courage to go in the bios . But know I have worked for 1 hour and 14 min without that Latency Mon says that someting is wrong .
It switches between Direct X Graphics kernel , Nvidia windows kernel and kernel mode driver framework runtime to have the biggest us (ecuse my bad english).

[Kearley]

I would love if someone verified this for me.. But I've read that LatencyMon isn't properly compatible with Win8. (because my own system has figures up to 1000us as well.. with no popping/clicking at all. At 32 samples!)

[aggravation]

Originally Posted by Caj

After uninstalling all unnecessary nvidia stuff ( only the graphic drives and update is left )Latency Mon tells me that I have drop outs and clicks ( I can´t hear it and I have a very good hearing and Dynaudio monitor speakers )

Please use your computer as though it is a studio computer if this is the case.

If it sounds right it is right.

If on playback you hear problems then resume troubleshooting. Otherwise, use it. cheers

[Caj]

I don't hear any pop ups. Only when using bad free vsti.

[Caj]

I do not dare do anything other than danfuerth's batchcode. It went so wrong that I had to do a system restore.

[Caj]

After system restore I run danfuerth´s batchcode again . I also installed the latest drivers for my soundcard . Then I opened Audio-Mulch and there I could here clicks . But I dare to do anything more because both the soundcard (audio interface : Motu ) and the graphiccard stopped to work last night.
I have to bad computer knowledge .
My brother will help me .

[danfuerth]

As you seen before, careful how you go about optimizing the machine.
Take it step by step

Before doing any services tweek or system tweeks

1. Disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features that is very important to disable in BIOS. This is the start of many problems.

You can not go to the other tweeks and forget the major one.


If you want to use the system as a daw then the CPU must run unrestricted.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

As you see WLAN, DHCP, all the Network COnfig services can be set to OFF prior to Reaper running.

You would do this on a batch

the Network Services are a little bit tricky, as you can not just set them to OFF in the order that you see them... You have to set them to off in the order of their dependencies and to turn them back on it is the reverse order of the dependency

example

service 3 (master)
service 2 ( runs off 3)
service 1 (runs off 2)

to put these services to STOP status you have to "

Rem stopping network services
sc stop service 1
sc stop service 2
sc stop service 3
Rem Reaper section
cd c:\Program Files\REAPER
start reaper.exe
Rem turning network services back on
sc start service 3
sc start service 2
sc start service 1


That is an example of how the batch should go so you will not receive errors as " This service has dependents do you want to turn it off? "

defeats the whole automated purpose.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

[Caj]

I was stupid to try something I don´t unerstand at all .
I have sent all your advices to my brother (he built my PC) and he will do it for me . I can´t even find WLAN,DHCP in my PC.And I don´t understand what BIOS is .

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by Caj

I was stupid to try something I don´t unerstand at all .
I have sent all your advices to my brother (he built my PC) and he will do it for me . I can´t even find WLAN,DHCP in my PC.And I don´t understand what BIOS is .

Easy answer, wait until you have problems before you start fixing stuff.

[Caj]

I have problems when running Audio-Mulch .
I thought the clicks in REAPER was because I often use free vsti ( they often have so interresting sound) . I seldom have clicks when running for ex Komplete 8.

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

As you seen before, careful how you go about optimizing the machine.
Take it step by step

Before doing any services tweek or system tweeks

1. Disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features that is very important to disable in BIOS. This is the start of many problems.

You can not go to the other tweeks and forget the major one.


If you want to use the system as a daw then the CPU must run unrestricted.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

As you see WLAN, DHCP, all the Network COnfig services can be set to OFF prior to Reaper running.

You would do this on a batch

the Network Services are a little bit tricky, as you can not just set them to OFF in the order that you see them... You have to set them to off in the order of their dependencies and to turn them back on it is the reverse order of the dependency

example

service 3 (master)
service 2 ( runs off 3)
service 1 (runs off 2)

to put these services to STOP status you have to "

Rem stopping network services
sc stop service 1
sc stop service 2
sc stop service 3
Rem Reaper section
cd c:\Program Files\REAPER
start reaper.exe
Rem turning network services back on
sc start service 3
sc start service 2
sc start service 1


That is an example of how the batch should go so you will not receive errors as " This service has dependents do you want to turn it off? "

defeats the whole automated purpose.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

Hi, my brother have a question to you about how to disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features . I have take a PNG picture from the motherboard manual but it is to large to attach as file .Can I send it to you by mail or something else ?

[Caj]

Originally Posted by Caj

Hi, my brother have a question to you about how to disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features . I have take a PNG picture from the motherboard manual but it is to large to attach as file .Can I send it to you by mail or something else ?

My mother board is : Asus P8Z68-PRO GEN3 . http://www.asus.com/Motherboard/P8Z68V_PROGEN3/
and in chapter3-16 : " Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (Enabled)
Allows you to enable or disable the Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST).
(Disabled) The CPU runs at its default speed.
(Enabled) The operating system controls the CPU speed."
My brother wonders if that is what you mean when you say :" 1. Disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features that is very important ti disable in BIOS."
He had read the manual and that is the only he can find .
Is he on the right way ?

[groovenagl]

i recently built a high end custom machine. due to the fact i'm not able to have a network cable (powerline sucks; lines are too old) put in place i do depend on WIFI. i had MAJOR issues with PCI wlan cards (NDIS driver was causing DPC spikes every 20 seconds - which turned out to the driver checking for "other" networks). i could completetly cure this behaviour by (after a few other attempts) getting one of these:

http://www.dlink.de/cs/Satellite?c=T...DE%2FDLWrapper

[ivansc]

Dan - having been 100% AMD for several years, I now have an Intel i5 based laptop that seems to get very poor audio performance out of the box. I am embarrassed to say I have no idea where to look in the bios to disable the scaling, etc., so a little help would be appreciated.

I don't really intend to use this laptop for a LOT of DAW stuff but it is embarrassing that my "old" dual core Win7 2gb ram lappy wipes the floor with the "new" one, which currently has 4gb as well as the more powerful cpu

[Caj]

Hi danfuerth , is my brother on the right way when he do this :" Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (Enabled)
Allows you to enable or disable the Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST).
(Disabled) The CPU runs at its default speed.
(Enabled) The operating system controls the CPU speed."
from the manual to my motherbord :Asus P8Z68-PRO GEN3 (chapter 3-16). http://www.asus.com/Motherboard/P8Z68V_PROGEN3/
If you please will give a short answer so my brother can do it this weekend .
Thanks for all help .

[Caj]

Please , anyone else who knows if this is the right thing to do ????????
My brother will try to make it and he wants to know if hi is doing the right thing ( see my 2 latest posts )

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

As you seen before, careful how you go about optimizing the machine.
Take it step by step

Before doing any services tweek or system tweeks

1. Disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features that is very important to disable in BIOS. This is the start of many problems.

You can not go to the other tweeks and forget the major one.


If you want to use the system as a daw then the CPU must run unrestricted.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

As you see WLAN, DHCP, all the Network COnfig services can be set to OFF prior to Reaper running.

You would do this on a batch

the Network Services are a little bit tricky, as you can not just set them to OFF in the order that you see them... You have to set them to off in the order of their dependencies and to turn them back on it is the reverse order of the dependency

example

service 3 (master)
service 2 ( runs off 3)
service 1 (runs off 2)

to put these services to STOP status you have to "

Rem stopping network services
sc stop service 1
sc stop service 2
sc stop service 3
Rem Reaper section
cd c:\Program Files\REAPER
start reaper.exe
Rem turning network services back on
sc start service 3
sc start service 2
sc start service 1


That is an example of how the batch should go so you will not receive errors as " This service has dependents do you want to turn it off? "

defeats the whole automated purpose.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

.what ever I do with DCHP my internet connection get broken.

[danfuerth]

Of course it gets broken, that is why if you are on wifi you can still use a static IP

In fact I have never used DHCP Ip's, what for just set the IP's manually

All the routing hardware I have ever had, had DHCP disabled .

Not using DHCP is very interesting as it eliminates one service right off the bat.


That is how my network at home is setup all Static IP's so I do not have to deal with DHCP issues or services.

You can set your wifi connection to a static IP, then set the defauilt gateway to your routers IP address and the DNS server as the routers address as well on your wifi network properties.


So if you do not want to have thr DHCP client service ON , just use a static IP instead and then disable the DHCP service altogether,

Watch out if this is a Laptop as if you take that laptop out to somewhere else, remember to set the wifi card to auto IP and turn ON Dhcp again.


I wished people would stop using DHCP inside their homes, I know it's easier as all you do is plug in and done!!! however DHCP service must be on.


here is a screenshot of the BIOS section, that you must check OFF

When your PC starts up, look at the screen for what key to press for SETUP or BIOS

Either F1 or F12 depends on system

also a screenshot of my MSI Laptop with Windows 8 using wifi Static IP.

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by Caj

.what ever I do with DCHP my internet connection get broken.

Obviously, you'll have to turn it back on but honestly, DHCP isn't going to cause problems anyway.

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

Of course it gets broken, that is why if you are on wifi you can still use a static IP

In fact I have never used DHCP Ip's, what for just set the IP's manually

All the routing hardware I have ever had, had DHCP disabled .

Not using DHCP is very interesting as it eliminates one service right off the bat.


That is how my network at home is setup all Static IP's so I do not have to deal with DHCP issues or services.

You can set your wifi connection to a static IP, then set the defauilt gateway to your routers IP address and the DNS server as the routers address as well on your wifi network properties.


So if you do not want to have thr DHCP client service ON , just use a static IP instead and then disable the DHCP service altogether,

Watch out if this is a Laptop as if you take that laptop out to somewhere else, remember to set the wifi card to auto IP and turn ON Dhcp again.


I wished people would stop using DHCP inside their homes, I know it's easier as all you do is plug in and done!!! however DHCP service must be on.


here is a screenshot of the BIOS section, that you must check OFF

When your PC starts up, look at the screen for what key to press for SETUP or BIOS

Either F1 or F12 depends on system

also a screenshot of my MSI Laptop with Windows 8 using wifi Static IP.

Thanks danfuerth , now my brother knows what he shall do .
Some small things have I done and that improved a lot .
I installed the new drivers and firmware from Motu ,and in the device manager
under network I disabled all wan miniports +teredo and isatap .
I only let the intel gigabit network connection stay as enabled .
And I runned your batchcode.

[danfuerth]

Good, services running that are not needed are in fact useless services that are taking up cpu threads

In audio specially the CPU should be left alone as much as possible and only processing audio.

A good Visual test is to open up task manager ( no apps running)
and look at the cpu graph, can your system stay at ZERO for 2, 5,10 minutes at idle?

No OS should move that CPU line period!!! if the machine is idle and no tasks are running. Walk into any computer store and look at OEM laptops or Desktop systems and turn on Task manager and watch the dancing up an down line just pathetic in my opinion as it is 2013 for christs sakes lol

[Andywanders]

Originally Posted by Kearley

I would love if someone verified this for me.. But I've read that LatencyMon isn't properly compatible with Win8. (because my own system has figures up to 1000us as well.. with no popping/clicking at all. At 32 samples!)

I've heard that too - It's not accurate with Win 8. I've also heard they're working on a fix.

If the current version is showing 1000us in Win 8, then it's probably a lot lower than that in reality.

[Caj]

I still have clicks , Here is the Latency Mon report.
My brother has not got time to help me yet with the Bios .
The biggest thiefs is now Nvidia Windows Kernel Mode driver , version 310.90.
and Kernel Mode Driver for framework Runtime,Microsoft Corp.
What is these 2 guys ???

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

As you seen before, careful how you go about optimizing the machine.
Take it step by step

Before doing any services tweek or system tweeks

1. Disable the Intel CPU scaling/steping features that is very important to disable in BIOS. This is the start of many problems.

You can not go to the other tweeks and forget the major one.


If you want to use the system as a daw then the CPU must run unrestricted.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

As you see WLAN, DHCP, all the Network COnfig services can be set to OFF prior to Reaper running.

You would do this on a batch

the Network Services are a little bit tricky, as you can not just set them to OFF in the order that you see them... You have to set them to off in the order of their dependencies and to turn them back on it is the reverse order of the dependency

example

service 3 (master)
service 2 ( runs off 3)
service 1 (runs off 2)

to put these services to STOP status you have to "

Rem stopping network services
sc stop service 1
sc stop service 2
sc stop service 3
Rem Reaper section
cd c:\Program Files\REAPER
start reaper.exe
Rem turning network services back on
sc start service 3
sc start service 2
sc start service 1


That is an example of how the batch should go so you will not receive errors as " This service has dependents do you want to turn it off? "

defeats the whole automated purpose.

This is a screenshot from my MSI laptop ( Windows 8)

Is this a batch code , like the other one for win 7 ?

[Caj]

Originally Posted by danfuerth

Well this is going to be a train ride lol.

My recommendation is always as follow

1.Start with the BIOS, any cpu stepping features MUST BE DISABLED, Intel is notorious for this

2.Next up is the system settings, make sure any visuals are off, system is set to background services priority

3.Swap file ( this is an never ending discussion) OFF!!! although others will say LEAVE IT ON.

4.System services - NO BRAINER All non needed services off.

5.Prepare to make a custom batch so that when Reaper runs, DHCP, WIFI and other services are disabled

Disable any hardware that you do not use from Device Manager( set it to disable don't uninstall it)

Disable system sounds

WIFI on windows 7 is notorious for Audio issues.



I have the Windows 7 Super service batch and the Windows 8 Super service batch on the forums, look for my name on there.


Start with inside the PC, open up the cover, anything blocking the fans, wiring all neatly arranged.. Hardrives plugged in the right order?

Primary harddrive alone as Master, any slaves hooked up to it?, can you seperate those slaves...

Is the swap file the same as page file ?
Under virtuell memory I ticked : no page file .
Have I done the right thing ?

[Caj]

Dan , with my brother´s help I could disable CPU EIST (Enhanced Intel Speed step Technology is it named in the manual for my motherboard ).
And CPU Enhanced halt (C1E) ( CPU C1E Auto in my motherboard )in the Bios .
After 30 min I have no clicks ( and it seems OK in Latency Mon so far ).
But it is still Nvidia windows kernel mode driver and Kernel mode driver for framework runtime ,microsoft corp.which has the highest us value . 712 us and 606 .
I will see tomorrow how it works .
Thanks a lot .
Caj.

[morgon]

What i wanna [continue to with less problemos] do : make 3-5 min songs inc. gtr keyb bass drums,on a dedicated DAW pc [no internet] I got a good AI and here is the pc spec [subject to further investg.]

[Gen] Intel Pent 4 2.6 GHz

Processor Version: x86 Family 15 Model 2 stepping 9

System Model: D865GBF_

BIOS Version: Intel Corp BF86510A.86A.0038.P08.0306241812

XP Service Pack 2

RAM: 500 mb

Any advice greatly appreciated, i know i gotta upgrade the RAM and i know theres an anti-static procedure but im not sure of that or type of RAM?

My first album nearly done [the hard way,on generic old SC and flaky jack convertrs] next one gotta be easier, thanx for any help -morgon