Reaper doesn't always release sound card when closed

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 03:47 AM

(Edit: by "sound card", I mean my external Behringer audio interface).

So, sometimes when closing Reaper, other sound programs have no audio until I restart the computer.

Have tried changing settings in Reaper, in audio interface software, and in Windows, to make this not happen, no luck.

Happens sometimes, not all the time. No rhyme or reason as to when it happens. Probably happens 1/5 of the time.

Someone said it happens if you have anything armed for record in Reaper, but it happens sometimes when none are armed in the last project opened.

Sometimes I have to re-start the computer to get the audio back to use SoundForge with audio, or watch a video on YouTube with audio, or whatever.
Sometimes the video won't even play and sound forge won't play, even silently, when I hit play.

Any idea what's up with this?

I'm on Win 10, 64-bit, latest Reaper, 32 Gg RAM, Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD.

Have latest driver: BEHRINGER_UMC_v4.38.0_2018-02-20_setup

Thank you!

#IFuckingLoveReaper

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 03:00 PM

Did you check your sound settings in Windows and see if your sound card is set as your default device?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Did you check your sound settings in Windows and see if your sound card is set as your default device?

Thank you.
Yes, it lists
UMC AISO Driver, which is the driver for my external sound device.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 04:02 PM

Interesting.

Is this something that just recently started happening?

If it is, did you install anything new or change anything around the time this started?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Interesting.

Is this something that just recently started happening?

If it is, did you install anything new or change anything around the time this started?

It has always happened, since I installed Reaper.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 04:34 PM

Just to be sure we're on the same page, see the attached pic.

Is this where you saw that device as your default audio device?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Just to be sure we're on the same page, see the attached pic.

Is this where you saw that device as your default audio device?

no, in Reaper preferences.
Here, also included Windows sound settings.
Thank you.

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Just to be sure we're on the same page, see the attached pic.

Is this where you saw that device as your default audio device?

Windows settings;

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 04:50 PM

Damn.

For what it' worth, I've seen a lot of posts here where people who are having issues with Reaper will install the portable version of Reaper and see if they have the same problem with that.

Sometimes on stuff like this, you just kind of have to start eliminating things in order to find the problem.

Is it totally random? Like you can open the same project and sometimes when you're done with that project and close Reaper, audio works fine, but sometimes when you close that project the audio is jacked up?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Damn.

For what it' worth, I've seen a lot of posts here where people who are having issues with Reaper will install the portable version of Reaper and see if they have the same problem with that.

Sometimes on stuff like this, you just kind of have to start eliminating things in order to find the problem.

Is it totally random? Like you can open the same project and sometimes when you're done with that project and close Reaper, audio works fine, but sometimes when you close that project the audio is jacked up?

Thank you.
Yes, it seems random.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 04:56 PM

I was thinking maybe it's a plugin that you only use on certain projects.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

There's a bunch of people on here who know a lot more about this stuff than I do so hopefully one of them will jump in with some ideas.

If you do find the problem, please post the solution for others who may have similar issues down the road.

Good Luck.

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

I was thinking maybe it's a plugin that you only use on certain projects.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

There's a bunch of people on here who know a lot more about this stuff than I do so hopefully one of them will jump in with some ideas.

If you do find the problem, please post the solution for others who may have similar issues down the road.

Good Luck.

Thank you.
Have you used the portable version? Does it have limitations?

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:00 PM

No, but as I understand, it's pretty much the same as the regular version, but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that better than I can.

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

No, but as I understand, it's pretty much the same as the regular version, but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that better than I can.

thank you for your time.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:07 PM

If no one responds to your question about the portable version, just create a new thread and ask there. Pretty sure you'll get your answer pretty quickly.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:21 PM

I just took a second look at that picture, I'm curios as to why it only shows the Behringer interface, does your computer not have a sound card or speakers plugged into something other than the interface, or is everything going through the interface?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

I just took a second look at that picture, I'm curios as to why it only shows the Behringer interface, does your computer not have a sound card or speakers plugged into something other than the interface, or is everything going through the interface?

Everything (speakers, mic) through that interface. My computer's sound card is crap. I disabled it.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:29 PM

Strictly as a short term test, can you re-enable your crappy sound card, set it as the default device, then see if that fixes it?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Strictly as a short term test, can you re-enable your crappy sound card, set it as the default device, then see if that fixes it?

thank you. Will do.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:50 PM

In your first post you said you had to reboot to fix it. By reboot did you mean shut it down and power back up, or just restart?

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

In your first post you said you had to reboot to fix it. By reboot did you mean shut it down and power back up, or just restart?

Restart the computer. I'll edit and make that clear in first post.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 05:55 PM

No worries, the only reason I asked is restart tends more to reset things more software related, where reboot resets things hardware related like I/O registers and such.

Hope the sound card deal fixes your problem.

rncwalker · 02-13-2019, 06:01 PM

BipTunia,

I see that you have your sound card in windows set to 192k, go to Speakers Properties and change to 44100 Hz 32 bit to see it that works.
ALSO use the "Test" their in the Speakers Properties window and if it works there then test the other programs.

Some programs do not use 192k yet!

FYI
even if you have your sound card set in windows as its lowest setting (16 bit 44100 Hz) it can be set to what you want in Reaper.

Robert

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rncwalker

BipTunia,

I see that you have your sound card in windows set to 192k, go to Speakers Properties and change to 44100 Hz 32 bit to see it that works.
ALSO use the "Test" their in the Speakers Properties window and if it works there then test the other programs.

Some programs do not use 192k yet!

FYI
even if you have your sound card set in windows as its lowest setting (16 bit 44100 Hz) it can be set to what you want in Reaper.

Robert

Thank you.
I use Reaper at 24-bit. Should I use that, or 32-bit as you suggested?

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 06:07 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if in Reaper Device preferences, you just have the Behinger interface selected, Reaper shouldn't care about the sound card, should it? Unless of course, you want to play something from Reaper through your sound card.

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if in Reaper Device preferences, you just have the Behinger interface selected, Reaper shouldn't care about the sound card, should it? Unless of course, you want to play something from Reaper through your sound card.

yes. Just the Berhinger. I was calling that my "sound card."
Will edit first post to make clear.

BipTunia · 02-13-2019, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if in Reaper Device preferences, you just have the Behinger interface selected, Reaper shouldn't care about the sound card, should it? Unless of course, you want to play something from Reaper through your sound card.

Thank you.
Also added this, if it helps:

Sometimes I have to re-start the computer to get the audio back to use SoundForge with audio, or watch a video on YouTube with audio, or whatever.
Sometimes the video won't even play and sound forge won't play, even silently, when I hit play.

toleolu · 02-13-2019, 06:15 PM

MCWalker does make a good point about the 192K though. I try to keep all my stuff set at 44.1K but that's just me.

Not sure if that high sampling rate is causing your problem, but it's something worth trying.

Stella645 · 02-14-2019, 12:17 PM

Not necessarily the high rate but switching between rates can sometimes be problematic.....anyhow I think that the 192 there is only the name of the device, not the selected sample rate??

But do try to set Windows audio to the same sample rate as your Reaper projects....bitrate shouldn't matter.
Also open properties of the Behri in Windows sound settings, go to advanced tab and untick allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

BipTunia · 02-14-2019, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella645

Not necessarily the high rate but switching between rates can sometimes be problematic.....anyhow I think that the 192 there is only the name of the device, not the selected sample rate??

But do try to set Windows audio to the same sample rate as your Reaper projects....bitrate shouldn't matter.
Also open properties of the Behri in Windows sound settings, go to advanced tab and untick allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

Yup. The 192 there is only the name of the device, not the selected sample rate.

I have sample / bit depth rates matched in a different tab, to what I use in Reaper. 44.1k, 24-bit stereo.

toleolu · 02-14-2019, 05:24 PM

Have you had any luck with enabling the sound card in your computer?

BipTunia · 02-14-2019, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Have you had any luck with enabling the sound card in your computer?

Thank you.

Didn't try with Reaper, don't really want to, tried it before on another DAW, it's crap compared to the outboard bheringer one. And only does 16-bit.

I think things may be working now, but it's hard to tell, I have to just use Reaper for a few days to see.

I did a bunch of things suggested here and elsewhere. Won't really know which one fixed it. lol.

toleolu · 02-15-2019, 10:19 AM

Regarding the sound card, when you say it's crappy, are you referring to using it with Reaper?

If you enable the sound card in your computer, and set it as the default device in Windows, then Windows will use the sound card for You Tube, CD's, other audio.

Reaper won't care about the sound card as long as you still have the Behinger interface selected in Device Preferences, so everything Reaper will go through the interface, and everything Windows will go through the sound card.

At least that's how my set up works. I've got a Presonus interface and a Sound Blaster audio card. The only thing that goes through my interface is Reaper, everything else goes through the Sound Blaster.

sostenuto · 02-15-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BipTunia

Thank you.

Didn't try with Reaper, don't really want to, tried it before on another DAW, it's crap compared to the outboard bheringer one. And only does 16-bit.

I think things may be working now, but it's hard to tell, I have to just use Reaper for a few days to see.

I did a bunch of things suggested here and elsewhere. Won't really know which one fixed it. lol.

Have had this issue for long time on Win10 Pro, many updates, Reaper several updates, Focusrite Saffire Pro 14. Often, but inconsistent failure to release audio for other audio devices. Use Windows Control Panel verify settings, check Advanced Properties.
Some instance when discrepancy between Reaper Sample Rate and Focusrite Saffire Control Settings (44100, 48000). Not sure if this relates to the issue.

Aggravating when subsequently making important Skype calls and no audio out.

serr · 02-15-2019, 12:53 PM

I get the strong impression that there are some specific Windows related things to consider in some of these scenarios. Some of that is mentioned or linked above.

General tips:

There's a preference setting for Reaper to release the connected audio interface (pci card, USB, firewire, or thunderbolt) when Reaper is not focused/active.

When using multiple interfaces together (like a built-into your logic board "soundcard" + an external USB interface), make an aggregate device with your OS utility and select the aggregate device in Reaper.

You can control the system sample rate and block size from the Reaper control panel (Preferences/Audio/Device page) or disable that and use the OS audio utility control panel or a 3rd party control panel app that might come with an interface. Try control from Reaper first. Disable that and use something else if the hardware demands it.

You can force a sample rate request from the Reaper control panel by selecting your interface (or aggregate device) from the dropdown menu again (even if it's still selected) and then hitting apply.

If you run your OS audio at the same sample rate as your Reaper project, you can often switch back and forth between Reaper and OS audio using apps without having to do anything else.

BipTunia · 02-15-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toleolu

Regarding the sound card, when you say it's crappy, are you referring to using it with Reaper?

If you enable the sound card in your computer, and set it as the default device in Windows, then Windows will use the sound card for You Tube, CD's, other audio. .....

Thank you.

So do you put the non-Reaper things through the SoundBlaster and into a different set of speakers?

BipTunia · 02-15-2019, 02:55 PM

[QUOTE=serr;2095206
There's a preference setting for Reaper to release the connected audio interface (pci card, USB, firewire, or thunderbolt) when Reaper is not focused/active.[/QUOTE]

Thank you.

Where is this setting? This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

As for the other thing, sample rate, I have it matching in Windows setting and in Reaper settings.

Edgemeal · 02-15-2019, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BipTunia

Where is this setting? This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

Preferences > Audio > Audio Settings > Close audio device...

Stella645 · 02-15-2019, 03:44 PM

Prefs/Audio/Close Audio Device when.....inactive (oop...way too slow!)
It's probably already ticked though.

There's a more extreme option that closes audio device even while Reaper is open (but not playing) but you may have other issues using this.

BipTunia · 02-15-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella645

Prefs/Audio/Close Audio Device when.....inactive (oop...way too slow!)
It's probably already ticked though.

Thank you.

It was ticked already.