Sound Gaps and Picture Freezing during ITCH session

Neutrocker 11:39 AM - 5 January, 2009

Product: itch
Version: 1
Hardware: vestax-vci-300
Computer: pc
OS Version: xp
---

Hallo Serato Team!

My tech. spec.:
HP Laptop, model: 6530b
OS: Windows XP professional 2008 SP3
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
RAM: 2GB (DDR-2)
HDD: 160 GB (7200 rpm) (wich divided into 2 partitions: 1 ~ 30 GB (for OS and ITCH); 2 ~ 130 GB (for the music))
ITCH: 1.0.4 (10429) (the last one)
DJ Hardware: Vestax VCI-300

Here's the deal. While ITCH playing it suddenly starts to stutter, make sound gaps witch accompanies with whole ITCH's graphic inerface freezing (picture stops and don't react at all). This sound gaps and pictire freezings happen at the same time and last for only split second. And then it starts to repeat all the time. This ITCH stuttering repeats approximately every 3 second. The repeated stutterng happens when I load tracks into the deck after 3-5 minutes I started ITCH, and only if USB buffer (luttency) is on 10 value or less. Furthermore when I make a USB Buffer size higher from whatever to 20 (while having this stutters) the stuttering disappears. But when I make it back to 10 or less - sound gaps an frame freezing come back. And always repeat with 3 second interval (approximately).

I used the RATTV3 and will get the link of this discussion, as it was said in "How-to: Troubleshoot USB dropouts", in to scratchlive.net/upload/...

I love VCI-300 and ITCH is very pretty little one too (it'll be prfect if there were no that many bugs... and if there were FXs in it!!!! (or at least ability to connect ones))

I'm relly loking forward on your help.
Thanks Serato team!!!

Neutrocker 11:51 AM - 5 January, 2009

I looked through all the help topics and it seems that there are users who expirience the same problem as I do. I cearfully read every topic containing my issue butt it didn't woked out.
Serato guys, pleas HELP!!!!!

Neutrocker 2:26 PM - 5 January, 2009

PS
CPU load about 20-40% even with usb buffer set on 2.

Michael R 4:22 AM - 6 January, 2009

Hi Neutrocker,

I've had a look at your RATT report and this seems to be the culprit:

Quote:

Cumulative Histogram for: Unknown (Unknown)
#, Range, Label, ISR Count, DPC Count, DPCTmr Count
2, 2.00us to 2.99us, <3.00us, 2, 50, 0
3, 3.00us to 3.99us, <4.00us, 0, 217, 5
4, 4.00us to 4.99us, <5.00us, 52, 15878, 2
5, 5.00us to 5.99us, <6.00us, 25, 5104, 2
6, 6.00us to 6.99us, <7.00us, 15, 355, 33
7, 7.00us to 7.99us, <8.00us, 27, 76, 102
8, 8.00us to 8.99us, <9.00us, 21, 53, 264
9, 9.00us to 9.99us, <10.00us, 94, 36, 204
10, 10.00us to 19.99us, <20.00us, 22145, 413, 428
11, 20.00us to 29.99us, <30.00us, 22, 150, 163
12, 30.00us to 39.99us, <40.00us, 0, 41, 127
13, 40.00us to 49.99us, <50.00us, 0, 4, 5
14, 50.00us to 59.99us, <60.00us, 0, 3, 33
15, 60.00us to 69.99us, <70.00us, 0, 41, 3
16, 70.00us to 79.99us, <80.00us, 0, 14, 1
17, 80.00us to 89.99us, <90.00us, 0, 4, 1
18, 90.00us to 99.99us, <100.00us, 0, 59, 2
19, 100.00us to 109.99us, <110.00us, 0, 20, 1
20, 110.00us to 119.99us, <120.00us, 0, 19, 0
21, 120.00us to 129.99us, <130.00us, 0, 32, 0
22, 130.00us to 139.99us, <140.00us, 0, 4, 0
23, 140.00us to 149.99us, <150.00us, 0, 11, 0
24, 150.00us to 159.99us, <160.00us, 0, 36, 0
25, 160.00us to 169.99us, <170.00us, 0, 43, 0
26, 170.00us to 179.99us, <180.00us, 0, 2151, 0
27, 180.00us to 189.99us, <190.00us, 0, 8131, 0
28, 190.00us to 199.99us, <200.00us, 0, 5227, 0
29, 200.00us to 209.99us, <210.00us, 0, 2529, 0
30, 210.00us to 219.99us, <220.00us, 0, 1313, 0
31, 220.00us to 229.99us, <230.00us, 0, 617, 0
32, 230.00us to 239.99us, <240.00us, 0, 389, 0
33, 240.00us to 249.99us, <250.00us, 0, 244, 0
34, 250.00us to 259.99us, <260.00us, 0, 131, 0
35, 260.00us to 269.99us, <270.00us, 0, 195, 0
36, 270.00us to 279.99us, <280.00us, 0, 194, 0
37, 280.00us to 289.99us, <290.00us, 0, 155, 0
38, 290.00us to 299.99us, <300.00us, 0, 63, 0
39, 300.00us to 309.99us, <310.00us, 0, 20, 0
40, 310.00us to 319.99us, <320.00us, 0, 6, 0
41, 320.00us to 329.99us, <330.00us, 0, 5, 0
42, 330.00us to 339.99us, <340.00us, 0, 3, 0
43, 340.00us to 349.99us, <350.00us, 0, 2, 0
44, 350.00us to 359.99us, <360.00us, 0, 1, 0
TOTALS, 22403, 44039, 1376

Unfortunately you'll see the process name is "Unknown (Unknown)" which doesn't tell us anything which will help :( Try disabling any Antivirus software, turning off your wireless internet and bluetooth and run the RATT report again and see if this process pops up again.

Neutrocker 9:59 AM - 6 January, 2009

So this is "Unknown" process and it interfere with ITCH (or with some USB stuff) and that is what making this gaps? Then if I'll try to kill some pocesses and one of them could be that "unknown", continuous gaps will not happen again therefore? Am I right?
There is no antrivirus softwere installed on my laptop. All networking stuff and bluetooth are turned off. Nothig but native HP drivers, ITCH and a cupple of tweak tools. But I have a Desktop PC with the same copy of windows and A LOT of soft installed but ITCH works just fine there, even on buffer size of 2! Could it be the HP laptop hardwere problem?
And the second thing I've noticed is that when I turn VCI-300 on (no matter wich PC: Desctop or Laptop) and then trying to move or press some controllers - VCI just freezes and don't react at all (after pressing a couple of buttons or touching platter 2-3 times). "Data" indicator turns red and stays on. BUT! If I launch ITCH first and THEN turn on VCI - everithings fine, the unit is working all the time then - no matter if ITCH launched or not. It's like VCI "getting used" to system with ITCH launched :). But still this GAPS!!! They making me MAD!
Will it help if I'll make a RATT test on my desctop?
Sometthing is deffenatly wrong, but I don't know where?

Michael R 5:03 AM - 7 January, 2009

Quote:

So this is "Unknown" process and it interfere with ITCH (or with some USB stuff) and that is what making this gaps? Then if I'll try to kill some pocesses and one of them could be that "unknown", continuous gaps will not happen again therefore? Am I right?

It looks like it could be the reason, but we can't be sure until we track down what it is and disable it. If you open task manager is there any strange processes or applications running?

Quote:

There is no antrivirus softwere installed on my laptop.

It's possible you may have a virus or some adware or spyware running? Might be a good idea to scan your machine if you can.

Quote:

Could it be the HP laptop hardwere problem?

Possibly, there may be some weird things HP have installed. Again check task manager and see if there is anything unusual there.

Quote:

And the second thing I've noticed is that when I turn VCI-300 on (no matter wich PC: Desctop or Laptop) and then trying to move or press some controllers - VCI just freezes and don't react at all (after pressing a couple of buttons or touching platter 2-3 times). "Data" indicator turns red and stays on. BUT! If I launch ITCH first and THEN turn on VCI - everithings fine, the unit is working all the time then - no matter if ITCH launched or not.

This is odd. Do you have the VCI-300 connected through a USB hub or plugged straight into the computer?

Neutrocker 8:40 PM - 8 January, 2009

I've terminated all unnacessary processes living live-neded only. Nothing unusual in task manager. Scanned for viruses - clear. Are there any known campability problems with XP SP3 for ITCH?

Neutrocker 8:58 PM - 8 January, 2009

VCI plugged stright into PC via usb cable, no hub.
Which kind of drivers do windows install as soon as we plug VCI into PC? Are they "smart" enough to work with VCI's sound blaster. What about making an ASIO drivers for windows users?

Michael R 11:48 PM - 8 January, 2009

Quote:

I've terminated all unnacessary processes living live-neded only. Nothing unusual in task manager. Scanned for viruses - clear.

Ok great :) Are you still getting sound drop-outs?

Quote:

Are there any known campability problems with XP SP3 for ITCH?

Not that we're aware of.

Quote:

Which kind of drivers do windows install as soon as we plug VCI into PC? Are they "smart" enough to work with VCI's sound blaster. What about making an ASIO drivers for windows users?

Windows will install the generic USB controller devices. You are able to select the VCI-300 as a sound card in Control Panel. We don't have any plans to make ASIO drivers at the moment but if there is enough demand we will look into it.

Neutrocker 7:57 AM - 9 January, 2009

Yes there are gaps. Nothing changed. I've formated hard drive reinstalled windows and installed ITCH only - gaps still there. My desctop PC seem to have the same "Unknown" process running but ITCH works just fine... I don't know what to do now, just to work on USB 20 which is VERY SLOOOOW. Looking forward on another windows betta's stability enhancement.
Thank you for help! :)

Neutrocker 5:56 PM - 9 January, 2009

STOP! Don't give up, never hold back Michael!!! ^_^
Got it! I've reistalled windows. It is older version that time that I installed - XP 2002 SP2. RATTV3 tool haven't shown any "unknown" process this time. As I understood the culprit is the process that got the anomalously big numbers in the "totals" section. The only abnormal quantity had "usbport.sys" wich situates at the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys
I'm sedning you the new RATT log file at the scratchlive.net upload server.
I'm currently searching for some driver stuff on official HP site to help me with usb.
What's your advise Michael?

Michael R 11:29 PM - 11 January, 2009

Awesome! So you're not having the issue anymore?

Quote:

As I understood the culprit is the process that got the anomalously big numbers in the "totals" section. The only abnormal quantity had "usbport.sys" wich situates at the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys I'm sedning you the new RATT log file at the scratchlive.net upload server.

This is correct, however you only need to worry about processes which give a value over 500us. Looking at your report usbport.sys is peaking at 430us, so if you aren't getting dropouts I would leave it as is.

Neutrocker 7:47 AM - 12 January, 2009

No unfortunately I still have this gaps. Wich repeat itself every ~ 3 seconds. I've downloaded istalled official drivers. But it doesn't helped. With or without drivers ITCH do make this gaps. Don't know what to do?

Michael R 5:01 AM - 13 January, 2009

Just to double check - are you using an external hard drive at all?

Neutrocker 7:56 AM - 13 January, 2009

No. It is internal and divided into 2 partitions: 1 ~ 30 GB (for OS and ITCH); 2 ~ 130 GB (for the music), both are NTFS. Usb ports are used only for VCI-300 if you mean that. 4 usb ports, 1 used for VCI, rest 3 are empty. With or without adaptor constant gaps still occure.

Neutrocker 7:36 PM - 14 January, 2009

That's it. Tried everithing I know - nothing helped!
Audio from VCI stutters. Audio recorded using ITCH don't! So I think it's all about driver. It's not "fast enough" to operate with less buffer size. I'm not relly sure but tomorrow I will try my VCI with Tracktor PRO with this little "mini.Traslator" thing + ASIO4ALL and I'll tell you what I've got.

PS
And HEY! Why did you hide my topiс?!?! I can't see it in ITCH help section.

Michael R 10:53 PM - 14 January, 2009

Hi Neutrocker,

I'm sorry to hear you're still having problems. It really does sound like there is something going on in the background which is affecting the performance of ITCH, if you can bear with me I hope we can still solve it!

Are you able to open Device Manager (click the Start button, then right click on My Computer, select Manage, click on Device Manager in the left hand column) and take screenshots of what devices are listed when you expand the following items:
Bluetooth
Network Adapters
Sound, Video and Game Controllers
System Devices
Universal Serial Bus Controllers

If you could then upload the screenshots that would be a great help!

Quote:

And HEY! Why did you hide my topiс?!?! I can't see it in ITCH help section.

I didn't, I swear! :) If I go to the help section I can see your post on the first page.

Neutrocker 10:30 AM - 15 January, 2009

Of course! I'm willing to collaborate.
A couple of days ago I've installed English XP 2002 SP3 hoping that Bill made it better for US but it seems that I was wrong :). But now you are lucky one not to have the headache with russian. :)))))

Here are the screens:
Sound, Video and Game Controllers: pic.ipicture.ru
System Devices: pic.ipicture.ru
Universal Serial Bus Controllers: pic.ipicture.ru

The rest which are "Bluetooth" and "Network Adapters", as you can see, are not listed in the Device Manager. This is becouse I simply turned them of via BIOS, wich is grahical by the way. My HP Laptop (6530b) is a rather new model so I think that ITCH might have some compability problems with it. And there is another problem with XP. When I want to disable some hardware in device manager I can't do that. There is some error occurs. I attribute this to some new "features" of HP. Here are the screen of what I got: pic.ipicture.ru
And this error occured In all XP's I've ever installed on my notebook. So me guess is that there might be some connection between all this and ITCH behavior.

Quote:

If I go to the help section I can see your post on the first page.

I've see it now, thanks! ^_^

Neutrocker 10:43 AM - 15 January, 2009

Quote:

...BIOS, wich is grahical by the way...

And with mouse, and a lot of some new features.

Neutrocker 10:55 AM - 15 January, 2009

One thing that I forgot to mention.
Audio from VCI stutters, while audio recorded using ITCH is as perfect as I expect it to be at the outputs of VCI itself. Hope this info will help.

Michael R 11:44 PM - 15 January, 2009

Hey Neutrocker,

Thanks for those screenshots, that gives us some things to work with :)

The first things I can see which may be affecting things is in the Sound, Video and Game Controllers section:

Bome's Virtual MIDI Port Device

Also in the System Devices section there is another Bome device:

Bome's Virtual MIDI Port Bus

From what I understand these are installed by Bome software. My advice would be to uninstall any Bome software you have or failing that to just disable all these devices.

There are some more devices in the Sound, Video and Game Controllers section you could try disabling:

Legacy Audio Drivers
Legacy Video Capture Devices
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio

Try disabling these all one at a time and see which is affecting ITCH. Please let me know how you get on :)

Michael R 11:46 PM - 15 January, 2009

Quote:

And there is another problem with XP. When I want to disable some hardware in device manager I can't do that. There is some error occurs. I attribute this to some new "features" of HP. Here are the screen of what I got: pic.ipicture.ru
And this error occured In all XP's I've ever installed on my notebook.

From having a quick look in Google this appears to be an issue with many HP laptops and seems to be fixed by downloading the latest BIOS for your machine, which you can get here -> h20000.www2.hp.com

Neutrocker 9:03 PM - 16 January, 2009

OK! This is it!!!!
We are on the right way! After I installed this new BIOS I've got the ability to desable\enable hardware. So THANK YOU VERY MUCH for doing my lazy stupid head's job! (I could google this problem myself but for some strange reasons, that even I can't understand, I dindn't :)))). After that I disabled all Bome's Virtual MIDI Port Devices and Bome's Virtual MIDI Port Bus it did'n helped, and that's not surprising couse I've installed this mini.Translator just before I've made this screens. (mini.Translator made this virtual midi BOM's ports and the stuff...). And then I've disabled this SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio (wich is audio card), rebooted the system. When windows started it told me that audio drivers wasn't started. And then YAHOOOOO!!!!!! ITCH workek VERY stable!
Before, when I had this gaps they occured almos every time when I tried to upload a track to the deck or simply after 3-5 minutes of play. Now they don't!!! :))) Not even a glitch!
BUT that repited stutterring occured a cupple o times. I think that this gaps and freezings occur becouse of some Hardware/Software compability bugs... some incompleteness... I incline to the HP bug. May be some conflict like it was with Logitech Quickcam drivers or the sort of...
I think that the problem is almost solved. Not all 100% but we moved from the dead point.
I still can't deffenatly say why is this stuttering sometime happen. But the ITCH is working much more stable now.
Unfortunatly I have to go to job. This will take a couple of weeks. So I will give you a little break out of me with my annoying questions Michael. :))
I'll be right back in a two weeks at the 3rd of February.
Thanks for your patience!

Neutrocker 9:22 PM - 16 January, 2009

PS
When I turn off VCI and then turn it on again with laptop turned on this is the time when ITCH acts unstable. Whenever I boot (or reboot) laptop with VCI turned on (and connected of course) ITCH becomes as solid as ROCK!!!
I haven't disebled this "Legacy Audio Drivers" and "Legacy Video Capture Devices" becouse I don't have such opprotunity neither at the context menu:
pic.ipicture.ru
no at the properties:
pic.ipicture.ru

Michael R 1:49 AM - 21 January, 2009

Hey Neutrocker,

Great to hear we're on the way to getting this fixed! Please post when you are back and we'll work on your remaining issue :)

Michael R 3:30 AM - 18 June, 2009

Hey Neutrocker,

Are you still having any problems?

Neutrocker 11:24 AM - 25 January, 2010

No. Everything's good so far!
Many Thanx! :)

Michael R 1:19 AM - 27 January, 2010

That's great :)

I'll close this thread as your issue is resolved.

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Sound Gaps and Picture Freezing during ITCH session

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