Slow Hard Drive Error

[fastlanephil]

I'm still struggling with the slow hard drive error. Had seven audio tracks and error message pops up just in play mode and when messing with effects. Is there anymore tweeking you can do or is it a problem with the G3 procressor and working in OSX with Metro.

[Jerm]

OS X is slow. You may have to mix down some tracks or archive some tracks or render the effects or switch to OS 9 if you need more tracks.

Also buffer sizes can make a big difference.

First I think the default for Audio Buffer Size in buffer preferences should be set to 64 (not 256).

Audio Packet Size from the audio setup dialog may also have an impact.

[Scoot]

In OS9 if you had a lot of memory you could create a ram disk and work all your audio into that. Ram is a lot quicker than the hard drive, though you must remember to save your work to a real place before quitting otherwise or occurs! This should lessen the burden on the hard drive. If you could do 7 audio tracks in ram and still have the same problems then you would be out of CPU with the effects you're using.
Can you get more than 7 tracks without effects?


I don't know if you can do ram disks in OSX. I haven't looked into it.
But it is nice to have metro in a more stable environment than OS9 and OMS and not having to worry about when the machine is going to lock up next. (I think under 9 I used to run too many 3rd party extensions ready to hang my computer at any chance they could get).

[fastlanephil]

I'm booting from a fast ext. HD for whom it may consern. I'll try those tweaks to Metro. Audio really needs a faster G4 in OSX I guess. But i'm not giving up on this ibook just yet folks so stay tuned for next problem I can't solve. I could work safely in OS9 with a partitioned ext. HD. Definetely the least expensive route. Older G4s are a bit overpriced right now because of the OS9 option.

[Jerm]

Gary,

You could probably boot of the built-in hard drive in OS 9 with VM off. Then use your external drive for audio files and the Metro Application also.

[fastlanephil]

You can't access the internal modem from a external OS9 volume so that sounds like my best bet. Never use VM. I first raised the audio buffer packet size and things got worse so I lowered it to 256 and it's better. I lowered the playback buffer to 64. I'll try and choke it with this configuration and see what happens. OS9 is a last resort for me.

[Jerm]

Oh yeah. You could also get one of those new dual processor 1.2 GHZ G4's for under $2000.

[fastlanephil]

I read OS 10.2.5 will include audio recording improvements. Got my fingers crossed! Though a fortune cookie said a G4 was in my future.

[Sami23]

fastlanephil,

Are you using USB audio in and out? I wonder, because I get the same sort of error on my G4 when going through a Edirol USB device... yet don't get the error when using my audio ports.

[fastlanephil]

Yes, i'm using an iMic and I'm also getting processor specific error dialogs. I just plan on using the audio in and out on a new G4 but maybe 10.2.5 will correct that usb audio problem your having. I'm assuming your recording to a fast HD and not a internal Powerbook drive.

[Sami23]

"...but maybe 10.2.5 will correct that usb audio problem..."

Support at Edirol tends to blame the Error on Metro's possibly not "playing well" with Apple's USB... so... 10.2.5 might "fix" the problem... or it might not. I've had the same error on both a Graphire iBook (G3@366 w/320 ram) under OS9+ and my older G4/400 PCI w/one gig of ram under 10.2.4. For the iBook I've been limited to USB as it has no audio inputs but thankfully the G4 does. The difference of course is that I can play more tracks back on the G4...

[fastlanephil]

I never had problems with my iMac DV or later my iBook 600 using OS9. I was using the iMic(the first low cost usb-audio device) with my iMac as a test to make sure I could record audio with an iBook. But that was Metro 5. I don't believe Metro 6 running under OS9 is significantly different than Metro 5 as far as power requirements. The major changes are when running in the OSX which seems to want a lot more processing power and a fast HD. I can get the slow HD error when not recording or just in play back, so that pretty well eliminates blaming it on the usb-audio connection, at least then. And errors when adding some effects which again takes the usb-audio out of the picture. I would try a different usb device if that's possible. Perhaps Jerm or others have some suggestions. What's working for them?

[Jerm]

Be careful because 'slow hd' messages may be misleading. It may in fact be slow 'USB' or slow 'processor'. Metro is presumptuous here.

[fastlanephil]

Also, I understand that some usb hubs don't work well with usb audio. I have one from Griffin Technology that was designed to work with audio. I have seen messages on other boards that support this problem. Though it's usually an inability to find the device.

[fastlanephil]

I Just bought a Behringer DSP2024P effects processor. It's programable and can send two effects at once. I hope this and the external HD will get me by until I upgrade to a G4 or beyound that can handle software audio effects, VST instruments, ect. in OSX. I love my iBook! It's paid for.