I'm still open to working on it this weekend though, should you have any other suggestions. I just know my own research will be very limited due to the other stuff I need to take care of.

heyo. so i bought a new computer with the intention of using it as a DAW. it has at least twice as much of everything (RAM, Storage... all that jazz) as my last computer, which did nearly fine with all my needs.

i have an issue with FL Studio 9 and the buffer settings.

on my previous computer, i had the buffer set around 512 and it was able to handle roughly 50-80 tracks playing simultaneously while recording 1 live track on top. now, on my brand new HP with windows 7 (previously ran xp) i have to set the buffer up past 900 in order for it to not crackle while handling a SINGLE KICK DRUM.

i haven't experimented any further with how much it can handle beyond that single kick, as a buffer set past 900 means noticeable latency while recording any dubs... essentially rendering my machine useless to me.

the crackle is the issue. i'm not sure if there are settings located elsewhere on my computer that i can manipulate, as i can't find any that go beyond the choice of 5.1 surround or simple stereo outputs. perhaps it's a driver conflict or something?

any help would be appreciated muchly.

-z.

Sometimes you have to ensure that your music program is using the right driver mode for your soundcard. I use AISO mode in my program because my audio interface uses the AISO driver... If I try using WDM or something, I have issues. That said, go to your audio settings in Fruityloops and see if you can change driver modes. Set it to each different driver mode and see which one works the best.

As far as buffers, 512 should be plenty... but out of curiosity, can you type out a comparison of your two computers in terms of basic specs like RAM, Processor, and HD RPMs?

New Computer:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Processor 3.00 Ghz
4GB RAM (ddr3, 3.75gb usable)
64-bit OS
640 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
7200 rpm

i can't try what you're saying right at this moment, but i think it's a good idea. i have ASIO activated and i'm wondering if the default (i think it's realtech) driver mode will work better. thanks.

Old Computer
Athlon 64 (0) 3500+ 2.2GHz (35W)
2gb RAM (ddr2)
7200rpm 200gb SATA

Your specs seem good. Definitely aren't the problem at least.

Ah, you're using your onboard Realtek soundcard? I seem to remember that Realtek uses AISO by default if I'm not mistaken, but I haven't used an onboard soundcard, especially Realtek, in at least 5 years so I could be mistaken regarding their current driver mode.
If you switch driver modes to all the available modes and there's no change in your situation, let me know and I'll see if I can do some research for you.

I hope this solves it though. I'd be surprised if it didn't, because every problem I've had and other people I know have had with the same thing you're talking about usually had something to do with the buffer size or the driver mode. Hopefully it's that simple. :)

ok. so i've got fl working with no glitches, along with reason 4. but now there is an issue with my net browser (chrome)... no sound comes out of it. i can't watch youtube or listen to indie music from MB!!! help!

Do you have your music program(s) open while this is happening?

yes. i discovered that is the issue. i can't have sound going to the browser and a music program at the same time. is there any way to make this not the case?

It's usually just a byproduct of the way some music programs allocate resources. My program (Sonar 8.5) does the same thing and nowhere in the settings is there an option for otherwise.
I don't know about yours though, so it may be worth it to research it and see.

well, being that coming on MB and hoping someone knows the answer is my form of research when it comes to computers (i don't know how to research this stuff) i think i will just leave it the way it is, and hope that i don't for some reason need audio from the net playing at the same time as audio from my music software.

thanks for your time FD.
-z.