Riffworks help!

[SonomaPlayerD]

Hello my spiritual guitar brotheren out there! I'm having trouble getting Riffworks working properly, since I downloaded the Standard, a Mo. ago. I use the Line 6 TonePort UX-2 interface, & also using Line 6 Gearbox software. My computer has glitches, pops/spikes, freezes, & Amplitube's not working right. Been dealing w/buddies & Geek Squad, but not getting anywhere. I'd love 2 know if any1 out there lives in the (818) San Fernando Valley area that I could hire to come & help a guitar-brotha out? I live in No. Hollywood, Cali. Soon I'm gonna change my name from SonomaPlayerD to: SoNoMorePlayerD ;-( :::

[fooks]

hi, does your pc have the minimal requirements to run rw? especially RAM?
it takes 1gig to run smoothly.
someone will be along with better advice but will prob need that info on the os.

hang in there.

[cwight]

Check your buffer sizes in the Audio panel (bottom right) of Riffworks. It's a balance...

[Muddhole]

I live about 30 minutes from you, but you should post what your PC specs are first, then if that meets the minimum requirements, do what CW said.

[dug]

You don't plug your TonePort into a hub do you?
Does GearBox have the same problems without RiffWorks running?
What buffersize?
How much RAM?
What other USB devices do you have connected?

dug

[SonomaPlayerD]

Dear fooks, cwight, Muddhole & dug... you guys are way 2 coolio! I was frustrated (plus was/am at work), when I posted this message of desperation. I appreciate U responding (specially U Fooks). I'll respond, 2night, w./the specs on my system, as suggested & mayB, that will tell the tale of my horror? This guitarist is dying of cyber ignorance!

SonomaPlayerD

[SonomaPlayerD]

Someone mercifully patient & gracious...please bear w/me! Thank you, so much, for your time!!! Here's more history & the specs on my computer (copied from email to people):

2 months ago, I began recoding a demo CD of my music. I am using the Line 6 TonePort UX2 (guitar/computer interface/hardware device), to connect my guitar to the tablet. For sound effects, I use Gearbox (software by Line 6 also). Also, to record... I'm using Sonoma Riffworks Standard (software recording by Sonoma Wireworks). I'm able to play & save music. I've been able to record, but with some latency issues, plus popping & noise glitches. A supplemental effects part of the recording software is also making shrieking noise, when opened. 2 months ago, I had no Probs. w/the demo version of this recording software, but ever since I downloaded the actual software (standard version), I've been at a loss!

My computer Specs:
Sahara i200 Touch-Screen Tablet PC
100GB HDD/1.0GHz Celeron / 1.0GB Ram / XP Professional O/S
16x Combo Drive
* Currently, using my tablet (computer) accessing the internet wirelessly (wireless DSL service, instead of directly connected into the router)

Specs from RIFFWORKS:
STANDARD SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Windows:

* PIII 1GHz (P4 or equivalent 1.8GHz recommended)
* ASIO driver capable audio interface (Recommended Hardware List)
* Win XP and Windows Vista

Line 6 specs' evaluation:

RAM: You have enough RAM.
Display Depth: Your display settings are optimal.
Display Resolution: Your display settings are not adequate.
Operating Sys.:Your Operating System is compatible.
Processor: Your processor does not meet our requirements: Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.00GHz
USB Controller: Detected controller types: Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2
Chipset: Your chipset meets or exceeds our requirements.
Drive DMA mode: All of your drives are in DMA mode.
C://Hard Disk Free: You have plenty of space on this drive at the moment.

[gatorjj]

SonomaPlayerD, sorry to tell you but that 1.0Ghz Celeron is not going to cut it beyond a few layers and riffs, especially when you add effects to the mix. That's going to be the primary problem. I expect you can't get more than 1G RAM in that Tablet but even if you could that processor is way too underpowered for recording audio. The symptoms you describe are typical of this situation.

Cheers,

J.J.

[SonomaPlayerD]

GatorrJJ, thanks for clarifying! So, does this mean... I'm totally out of luck? What are my options? Also, if I am, in fact, at a loss to record my demo on Sonoma Riffworks... then I'm gona hang myself with my guitar cord! :::::::

[gatorjj]

Well...it depends.

How many layers & riffs do you intend to record? Here's some suggestions I can think of...
- Keep the songs to as few layers and few riffs as you can
- Use the TonePort for everything instead of Amplitube
- In the ASIO control panel, crank the buffer as high as it will go
- Stay away from the Sonoma effects and record with the effects from the UX2*

* This last one might get people's ears up because I usually preach recording with as little effect as possible (i.e. usually just distortion) but the problem is very different here and some compromises are in order to give this a shot.

The TonePort should give you all you need for effects, preamps etc. Cranking the buffer won't affect your latency with the TonePort, and will ease the burden on the CPU.

In days of old when I had an older PC and filled up a song with riffs and layers and effects, I'd pop and crackle when I pushed it too far, but it would still mixdown fine. Mixdown what you have and see if it comes out okay, you may just have to put up with the pops, cracks, and shrills while mixing but it may come out fine.

A final alternative is to do the tracking in RiffWorks and have someone else with a more robust machine mix your tracks. I don't like to solicit on this board (so I won't!)...I'd recommend trying all the other options first. Also you might find someone who wants the mixing practice to do it for you.

Ultimately though, you'll need some more horsies under the hood, then you'll be swinging from that guitar cord like Tarzan instead of hangin' like Saddam!

Cheers,

J.J.

[SonomaPlayerD]

GatorJJ, U R truly thorough & encouraging, my musician brother! By the way: the Line 6 TonePort UX-2 is only an interface for my guitar (and can accomodate bass & 2 mics), but... there's no effects on it, whatsoever! That's the reason why the software it comes with, is the Line 6 Gearbox (software). So, my question: if I don't use the Gearbox software effects, and you suggest I don't use effects on the Riffworks, nor from the supplemental Amplitube software... I'll have zilch effects!

[gatorjj]

I think the Gearbox software is the control panel to the UX2's hardware, which does the modeling. What you're doing is actually setting up the hardware with Gearbox, so that's fine and hopefully won't impact you. At least I think so! I think that's how they get the direct tone monitoring that has no latency.

The important thing here is to "print" the effects (i.e. record with them) so RiffWorks just has to deal with raw audio instead of doing much processing to it.

[SonomaPlayerD]

GatorrJJ, you have opened my eyes... I was blind & now I see! You are my cyber Savior! (forgive my humor)
I'll relay all this, plus what other Sonomists have replied, to a Tech. that I'll have to find/hire to help me. I hope this will work for me, for my whole purpose of purchasing Riffworks, is to record my demo. If it turns out I'm unable to... I'll call it my demNo!

ATTN.: If anyone out there is reading this & is interested/available in beinga hired gun to help me conquer this demon... please let me know? I'm in Vally Village/No. Hollywood area of San Fernando, Cali.. I will pay for your time with money & with my blood (just kidding). Help save a creative soul from his unfortunate musical death!

SonomaPlayerD

[gatorjj]

Why don't you put that "consulting" money into a new machine for recording your demo? Just a thought

[dug]

There is no processing in the TonePort. GearBox acts a front end when you are using a PodXT, but all the TonePorts are just IO for the computer. The processing happens in the computer. Gator is right about how to stretch your processing though. Don't use any effects in RiffWorks. Run GearBox to get your tones recorded. When you're done recording you can quit GearBox and keep working in RiffWorks and it will perform better.

Make sure no other programs are running. Do you have Norton installed? It can kill your CPU and disk drive when it checks for Live Updates. Everytime it gets an update, it automatically scans your whole drive, this makes it impossible to do recording.

cheers,
dug