Mr. Torture

I am using the RME PCIe card, which is one of the most stable cards in existence. The computer is completely optimized for recording audio, it has been gone over extensively.

if I run them at 256 it goes away. I have a single audio track playing a stereo mix (24/44.1) and 2 empty audio tracks. No effects or plugs at all running. Sometimes I can do tracking at 128 without this issue, most of the time I get this distorted mess. Any ideas? I am running 32 gigs of Ram and according to the performance meters, it’s barely registering. https://youtu.be/MoFMInaTffE

#36 When I thought my computer problems were over.

Ok, few hours and tried a few sessions, so far everything is good. One other thing I found is shutting of "Dithering" Under the "Playback & recording" tab. That was causing issues as well.

So, When I installed the Ram I noticed it was really dusty inside the computer, I have not cleaned in there in years Yup, easily 8 years.. Yikes.. Anyways, I opened it back up today and took it outside where I blew it all out with my air compressor, being very careful that no condensation or anything got in there. You would not believe the amount of dust and buildup that came out. I brought it back in, hooked it back up and opened a previous project. I found that I could easily go to 64 on the buffers with no issues at all, loaded another project with multiple guitar tracks and superior drummer, same 64 buffers and no more crackling. Could it have been dust all along??

Well, I installed the new Ram and no difference at all. So, I don't know...

Intel core i7-3770k is my processor. I have experienced a couple blue screen as well. This occurred when I simply left the computer idle with an open session when I went to go do something else. I just shut the computer off and back on again. the computer came with 16 gigs of ram, upgradable to 32 max. Years after I purchased, once prices came down, I bought 32 gigs (4x8 strips) the computer was still running windows 7 at the time and I had a few issues after that upgrade. I’m really suspecting the Ram, although I ran that ram windows diagnostics and it came back ok. regardless, for just over a $100 I am going to replace the ram and see if that changes things.

I cannot run lower than 256 on the buffers, I have 2 audio tracks going (nothing recorded) just out of my Kemper into the soundcard and one instance of superior drummer. If I try to lower buffers it’s sounds like a bag of angry bee’s when I strum a chord. It’s frustrating, especially when with windows 7 I could run buffers down to 64, have multiple tracks and instance of superior. the windows 10 was the auto upgrade through Microsoft, is it possible to go there and redo it?

Drivers all up to date, everything optimized. I bought this computer from PC audio labs, specifically built for recording. It’s never been the same since the upgrade to windows 10.

12 year old computer, i7 with standard hard drives. 32 gigs of Ram, RME PCIe soundcard. Cannot record under 256 on the buffers.

Thanks all for the positive comments and encouragement. I'm at that crossroads of needing a new computer to continue. Should I spend the money? Or should I just leave things be and move on? It's a hard decision for sure. Not that big of a deal when computers were affordable, but now it's just crazy. I really don't want to get into building one, It's a lot cheaper for sure but with my black cloud something will ultimately go terribly wrong, lol.

I get it, maybe over produced yes, but still completely commercial pro sounding. I'm more in the camp of the musicians lend more to the sound than the equipment.

Samples, from Mike Shipley's personal library. So realistically, using a modern Kemper and drum software I should be able to at least match a studio album from 30+ years ago, or at least I thought..

Agree with everything you said but this. The Hysteria album was recorded using Rockman's plugged into the console, no room at all.

That's it in a nut shell, sorry I wasn't more clear about it all. With all the technology today and great gear it should be relatively easy to get a somewhat pro mix, that never happened for me. It's really frustrating when you see bands like Def Leppard using Rockman's 30+ years ago that sound better than anything I could produce. Of course having guys like Bob Rock and the late Mike Shipley helps, that and being excellent song writers. Def Leppard was writing great stuff at 16-17 years old, some people are just born to succeed, others like me are born to work a crappy job and never obtain that level. But enough of my pity party, I'm making peace with it all.

You have been very helpful, I also really like your music. Your a great musician, jealous of that fact! I think some people like to poke fun and pile on, it's ok I have thick skin. It's a difficult thing coming to realize that you really aren't that caliber and all the years, work, sweat and tears have basically been for nothing. Maybe in my next life I will be born with a voice like Dio, or the skills of Paul Gilbert.

Please, continue having fun at my expense. It's fine. I know I'm not alone in this. I'm just not afraid to admit it.

Yeah, I think I'm done. It's been sometimes fun, but I could never get the results that I was hoping for. I won't stop with music, I enjoy playing guitar and learning new things. But recording songs and trying to produce them to a major label quality? Nope, just not in the cards for me. Just don't have the talent to make it happen. It's sad for sure, I have spent a lot of my life recording. Hard drives full of unfinished songs, uncounted thousands spent. More lost money on gear than I care to try and remember. But maybe most hobbies are that way? I probably would have been happier restoring an old car, even the most not mechanically inclined can do that and still achieve livable results. Recording is just a different animal. Now I know why 95% of the people I did music with over the years just play cover songs in obscure bands at the local brewery / restaurant.

Lord Tim, did you record your albums using Cakewalk?

Lord Tim, you are a lot better of a singer than mine. My singer would completely agree. That makes it easier for sure when you already have a professional voice. I'm sure it didn't come easy and you have payed your dues. But when the singer isn't confident and clearly not as good to compete, it wipes him out emotionally so he has no desire to try and improve. He's had plenty of time to do so, but never really worked at it like he should have. So we are left with the "All or nothing" mentality, so I guess it's nothing. Thanks for your insight and encouragement, but I am just returning to my practice amp.

I did not intend this as a deep dive into my psyche, trying to analyze why I would continue to stay with something like a battered wife. I simply wanted to get some opinions and thoughts from others in the same boat. I couldn't possibly be alone in wondering why we bother recording and producing music when there is zero outlet for it. Bottom line is nobody cares about my music, I'm not sure if anyone cares about music at all anymore, unless it's something industry generated. All I really wanted was one song that sounded pro to me, I'm not a terrible songwriter, at least I don't think I am. Even if the song was complete crap it should still sound professional. It's not like I am using lesser equipment than some pro bands that do it themselves. I have heard some pretty terrible songs over the years that sound professional, so when people say it's all about the song that's not really true, at least to my ears. Maybe I am completely wrong, that's certainly possible. I like creating, I always have. But maybe I would be better off just playing guitar on my own, learning some new stuff and forget about recording all together. Enough of my pity party, because nobody really cares about that either. I guess I just wish it was early 1980's again.

I've been recording since 1986, I am way past spending a fortune ?

Yeah, I could. Means a new soundcard too as mine is PCIe.

Thank you all for your comments, it is a bit reassuring that I am not alone. I think my biggest issue right now is, do I make the plunge and upgrade my computer and continue? Or do I simply liquidate and move on? My computer is about ready to give up the ghost, occasional blue screens of death, popping & clicking, I'm just worn out trying to keep it going. I have a hard time justifying $3500 Plus on a new sled for a hobby that generates zero rewards. The biggest issue is my singer simply has lost all confidence and is too fixated on how great everyone else is (Professional singers) versus himself. It's a real drag when he comes in, sings a couple bars and just hates it all. I figure that I might as well hang it up, sell the recording gear and dust off the old practice amp for the occasional play around. Again, I really appreciate this forum and the healthy conversation this thread has generated.

Good post, exactly how I have felt the past year or so. You are not alone.