Problems with Riffworks T4 and GuitarPort

[bigdog36]

I got a Line6 GuitarPort last week. I'm really digging it and GearBox is a kick ass tool!
The purchase is where I first heard about RiffWorks.

I've been playing around with the RiffWorks demo version as well as the free T4 version.
It really looks cool and seems very easy to use and I know I can really take advantage of this program! The main attractive thing about RiffWorks is the Instant Drummer and being able to use Rex files. I'm really torn on buying it as I continue to have a recurring problem that I have found little reference to and no solution to on the message boards.

Anytime I get about 20 seconds into anything with the instant drummer and recording, I get an exception, the program crashes and it makes a dump file. It's really beginning to put a bummer on my motivation to buy the software.

I was looking thru the support as I know I am supposed to email the dump file and all my details. I cannot find an email address to send it to on the site, and If I click on support, the form to fill out has no where to attach the dump file.

I get the same problem with the Line 6 version. Yes I know recording and/or saving is disabled in that version until purchased, but the instant drummer gives me the exception and does the dump file.

I've got a decent system. Athlon X2 dual core at 2.8ghz, 4 gigs ram, about 200gb free on 2 sata 10,000 rpm drives, SB Audigy2 (not that it is being used), ATI Radeon HD 3850 video, etc... etc... I have a dual boot system with XP Pro w/SP3 and also Vista Home Premium 64-bit.
I've been using everything strictly in XP pro to avoid any 64bit and vista issues with this.

I've increased the ASIO buffer size for the GP and it has no effect on the problem. I've run Line 6 monkey and all is good, authorized for gear and up to date on drivers and all software.

After the fact, I thought I would browse around Riffworld.com to check out what users are doing and get some more inspiration to buy this software.
When the sites doesn't time out, it is extremely slow to load and various pages give errors back regarding sqlalchemy file(s) cannot be located etc.. I've tried it at home an a 6mb DSL connection as well as at work on a dedicated fiber line that has a minimum of 30mb d/l connection.

So here I am, on the raggedy edge, and the site(riffworld.com) is slow to say the least when it actually comes up in the browser (have tried ie6, ie7, firefox and chrome.. all same results) and the software whether demo or free just chokes and crashes anytime I try and do anything with it in record mode with the instant drummer.

Any suggestion, help or an email addy to send the dump file to is appreciated!
I'm a patient guy and would really like to give this software my complete effort, but my parade is really starting to get rained on.
My day job is as an IT admin and I maintain a multitude of workstations, so I'm really familiar with software and hardware and fixing issues. Hate to have to come home and do the same thing, but I really want to see what this software can do and purchase it.

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions!

[michelle]

Hi bigdog36,

Sorry to hear you are having problems. Please email support@sonomawireworks.com with your dump file and they will get back to you soon with help.

Thank you,
Michelle

[bigdog36]

Forgot to add that when it does crash, the GP just keeps looping an annoying sound over and over again until I unplug the usb for a few seconds.

[bigdog36]

Damn you work late!
Thank you. sending the file right now.

[randy]

Hi Bigdog,

I received the dump file. Can you also send along the RiffWorks.log file right after RiffWorks crashes? It's located in My Docs - Sonoma Wire Works - RiffWorks

Thanks!

[Charvelguy]

Is the creative SB still installed with the drivers active and is it a choice in your ASIO?
Sometimes I've noticed Creative will have conflict with other audio apps.
Either way, support should be of help to you to resolve it all out.

[bigdog36]

Thanks for the help Randy. I just sent off the log file with my initial inquiry and dump file attached.

[bigdog36]

Thanks for the assistance Charvelguy.
The SB Audigy 2 is active, but not the choice for the ASIO driver.
It's just installed with drivers and I've set windows to use the Line6 GP as the preferred device. There are no creative applications installed (the ton of crap Creative would like you to install from the disc), just the XP 32 bit drivers and the creative audio console.

I also check within Riffworks and the GP is the ASIO device being used.
However, I noticed in the RW log file it is showing the GP input latency is 1387 latency = 31 msec. output latency is 2774 latency = 62 msec.

Is it me or is that just really poor? I thought the line 6 stuff was all optimized drivers to avoid higher latency?
The buffer size is set to 1024 with a max of 4096. I do see in the logfile however that both the Creative and GP ASIO drivers are referenced.
I've read some articles about ASIO drivers and most say typical latency is under 10ms. If this is the case, then something is jacked up on my end or the GP is a real piece for any recording. Bummer.

I have the headphones out on the GP go into the line in on the Audigy2 so I can hear everything through my computer speakers. That's the only thing the Audigy 2 is being used for, except for the occasional games.

Thanks again to everyone for the help. I'm really hoping I can get this resolved as RW really looks like a fun, easy and promising program.

[DanSpec]

Im having the same problems with Riffworks crashing and then creating a dump file. I am running a UX2 on a dell xps laptop with the stock onboard sound card.

I dont know if its me or what.. But if I save after I create each riff it doesnt crash as often and I can most times finish what I am working on.

Sometimes my connection to the rifflink drops and I end up back out at the login prompt. Maybe a heavy server load is causing this.. Growing pains I bet..

I really love riffworks, but the bugs do yank my chain on occasion. But the ease at which I can turn my musical ideas into real songs makes any bull I have to go thru forgivable.

I have a some dumps, and I will send them in also..

[fooks]

you guys might try setting latency at 512 and 16bit.

sonoma has been working on stuff the last couple days so that might come into play.

cheers!

[DanSpec]

As fook suggested I went to the line6 Audio-MIDI Devices - 3.34 control panel.

I check my buffer size and bit depth. They were set to 512 and 16bit as Fooks said it should be. But I bumped the ToneDirect Monitoring up one notch closer towards medium and Riffworks hasnt locked up since.

[randy]

That's great news

[fooks]

cool!

[typhoolin]

I would try the following things . . .

Update to the latest drivers for your video card.

Update to the latest drivers on your motherboard chipset.

Try disabling the SB Audigy altogether - and make the TonePort your main audio device.

REBOOT - try Riffworks again to see if things are better.

Paul

[bigdog36]

I tried disabling the Audigy 2 entirely in the hardware dev manager, then removing all drivers and reg entries with a driver cleaner 3rd party tool specifically for creative products. I then did a fresh re-install of the Line6 GP drivers thru monkey.
I uninstalled and reinstalled RWt4 and tried everything again.

It seems to have helped slightly as It now only crashes about 70% of the time when recording the instant drummer. I've played with the buffer and direct tone monitoring for the GP and nothing seems to make it better, just worse.
I've forwarded my dumps and logs to tech support and now I'm just waiting to see if they know. Open to any other suggestions. Maybe I'll give it a shot in vista 64bit