Problems with MobilePre USB

[freshaudio]

Hi,

I recently bought ACID Pro 6.0d and have been having problems with its connection to my M-Audio MobilePre USB preamp.

Specifically, when I'm playing audio (either regular audio or MIDI through my VST's: EastWest's symphonic orchestra and M-Audio's Key Rig/Drum and Bass Rig) I'll get random pops when the system gets too busy.

This problem happens randomly, but it does seem to happen less when I close the window of whatever VST it is that I'm working with. So this has me wondering if it's a visual issue of some sort...

In addition, the pops and random snaps have been happening whenever I play anything in RealPlayer also.

My specs are as follows...

-HP Pavilion 4419 US Notebook
-2 Gigs Ram
-Windows XP Home. SP 2
-Intel Pentium M Processor 1.60 GHz

In ACID...
-Playback buffering at .08
-Track buffering at 2.00

I've already gone through a boatload of steps to try to fix this (including doing all of the XP tweaks listed on the internet that I could find, turning down the resolution on my Intel graphics card, turning wireless off, messing with ACID's Audio settings, etc), but nothing has worked.

I'm tempted to just move on to a more expensive preamp because I'm starting to wonder if it's just a limitation of the PreAmp (or possibly my computer).

Anyway, sorry to ramble...
I hope this was clear.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Any help would be much appreciated...

[itsplayed]

Have you tried increasing the buffer rate for your interface?

[freshaudio]

Thanks for the reply...
To answer your question, yes, I have...
But doing that increases my latency tremendously so it's not practical...unless I could find a way to reduce latency.

I've been told that my processor is pretty slow at 1.60...
Is it practical to try to replace it?

[itsplayed]

No, your issue probably lies elsewhere.....check your IRQs first.

Are you using other USB devices besides for the MobilePre?

Have you made sure that your running with the ASIO drivers for the MobilePre?

Did you completely uninstall the on-board soundcard before installing the MobilePre(including disabling within the BIOS)?

[freshaudio]

The only other USB I'm using is my M-Audio Oxygen Keyboard. I haven't been having any problems with that, though.

And yes, now I'm using the ASIO drivers for the MobilePre through ACID. But the problem with that is that ACID randomly shuts down (after making a crackling type noise) when I use the MobilePre driver.

As far as IRQ's go, I'm not too familiar with them, but I did see that there were a few IRQ's on the same channel. It might be easiest just to show you...

IRQ 0 System timer OK
IRQ 1 Quick Launch Buttons OK
IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK
IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System OK
IRQ 10 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM SMBus Controller - 266A OK
IRQ 12 Alps Pointing-device (2-way) OK
IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK
IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel OK
IRQ 16 Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family OK
IRQ 16 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265B OK
IRQ 17 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM PCI Express Root Port - 2660 OK
IRQ 17 SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio OK
IRQ 18 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265A OK
IRQ 19 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2659 OK
IRQ 20 Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection OK
IRQ 20 Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC OK
IRQ 21 Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller OK
IRQ 22 Generic CardBus Controller OK
IRQ 22 Texas Instruments PCIxx21 Integrated FlashMedia Controller OK
IRQ 22 SDA Standard Compliant SD Host Controller OK
IRQ 23 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2658 OK
IRQ 23 Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 265C OK

Any advice?
Thanks again...

[itsplayed]

Your system is actually pretty good in the IRQ department....better than many desktops I've seen.

Try to discover which USB port is using IRQ 23(the enhanced host controller 265c) and get the mobile pre onto that USB bus.

Do not attach any device onto the other USB bus that is sharing IRQ 23.
Do not attach any device to USB port 265b(IRQ16).

You should uninstall the on-board soundcard and disable it within the BIOS. The same should be done for the Wireless/Ethernet network connections(unless they're in use), but try the above first......does this machine see the internet?

By the way, what Make/Model laptop is it?

Have you upgraded the hard drive for it?

Are you using an external hard drive or just the single internal?

[freshaudio]

Thanks again...

1. How can I determine which USB port is on 23 or 16 (265b)?
2. I know how to uninstall the soundcard, but how do I disable it within the BIOS? I do use the laptop on the internet, though, so I can't permanently disable wireless.
3. It's a HP dv4419US. I'm not sure what you mean by "upgraded the hard drive for it," but I am using an external hard drive in addition to the onboard hard drive. I have all of my non-ACID related files on the external hard drive. Everything ACID related stays on the computer. Oh, and my Microsoft Word files for school also do...

[freshaudio]

Actually scratch all of that...

I decided to go ahead and buy a new computer, a Dell XPS 1530...
It has a 2.2 ghz processor, 3 gigs of RAM, and Windows Vista (unfortunately).

Thanks for the help...

[itsplayed]

Sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner....holidays and all. Anyway, I wouldn't count on that new Dell being any better or easier to set up. You may still run into an issue with it. There's nothing wrong with your current rig....as a matter of fact, it's one of the better laptops that I've seen regarding it's resource allocation and in the laptop world that's a rarity....not the norm.
If you still want to try and discover what USB port goes to what IRQ, shoot me a PM.....it will take some detective work to discover.

Also, if you do get the Dell....upgrade the hard drive for it. It comes standard with a 5400rpm drive....have them put in a 7200rpm drive instead. I see that there is an option to put in a 160gb 7200rpm instead of the 250gb 5400rpm unit at no extra cost.....make the switch. This may also play a part in some or even all of your current issue, if your currently using a slow system(OS) drive for audio as well.

[freshaudio]

Thanks for the advice and for the offer...
But unfortunately my old laptop is already well on its way to being sold...either ebay or a family member.

I actually ended up getting the 7200rpm drive, so hopefully I'll see some improvement. I'll let you know how things end up going...
Thanks again...and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to ya