Audio tracks sometimes don't play

[Viv Savage]

Sometimes after I start up Logic and press [space], Logic only plays back a few of the audiotracks. I normally can remedy that by changing the Audio Buffer in Preferences > Audio and change it back so I can click on Apply, and after the reinitialization of the Audio Interface/Buffer/etc. everything works as expected.

 

What's up with that? And how can I make it so that doesn't happen anymore as it becomes annoying.

 

Thanks.

[the_fella]

I don't think I quite understand you. Correct me if I'm wrong but:

 

I normally can remedy that by changing the Audio Buffer in Preferences > Audio and change it back

 

so you're changing the audio buffer twice,

 

so I can click on Apply, and after the reinitialization of the Audio Interface/Buffer/etc. everything works as expected.

 

but apply it once?

 

Why? Set the audio buffer to a reasonable length that your system can handle, and then leave it there. Err on the side of caution and set it higher than you need, unless you require absolutely low latency for recording, or are using Logic in a live situation. Otherwise, change the audio buffer to a smaller setting when necessary (like when recording) and then later on in the project set it for a higher level (when you are mixing).

 

Also unless you have a good reason not to, then make sure you set your plug-in latency compensation to 'all'.

 

I wouldn't normally associate just some audio tracks playing back and others not playing back being a problem with your audio buffer. I'm quite happy to be proven wrong though!

 

Does this fix the problem?

 

Cheers,

Andy.

[Viv Savage]

Step by step what I do to get the sounds to be played is this. When I notice sound files missing in play back I Stop. Open Preferences > Audio. Change the Audio buffer so Apply will be enabled. As I am not interested in the Buffersize I return it to what it was on and clicck Apply. This will reinitialize sound cards, drivers, buffers, anything else associated with the Audio interface. When I press Play all soundfiles will be played.

 

At the end of the road actually nothing has changed, only reinitialized.

 

Oh... sounds created by Inst channels are always played. Only Audio tracks will be problematic.

[Eriksimon]

I think what Viv is saying is that (s)he restarts coreaudio by altering, applying, altering back. This is a troubleshooting action when some tracks or all tracks suddenly get silent. Coreaudio gets "rebooted" and sound returns. It is also a fix for the often appearing 1 second record/monitoring latency that can pop up now and then, even with low buffer settings. The trick is to make the "Apply" button available.

I have not heard of a definitive fix for either problem.

[the_fella]

Learning is fun -- I stand corrected

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[CCTMusic]

Hi

 

@ Viv

 

Is this with any/all specific 3rd party audio interfaces & drivers or does it happen with the 'built-in' audio?

 

 

CCT

[Viv Savage]

It happens with all Audio interfaces I have. MOTU 828 mk II, Tascam US-144, Built-in Audio. All of 'em. Sometimes already at the start, a song that starts with bqass and drums, and I only hear the drums. Sometimes somewhere in the middle, like the start of a guitar solo and it is eerilty silent because of a missing solo. Everytime the Core Audio reboot* fixes it.

 

I gather from Eric's answer that this is just one of those typical Logic quirks you gotta live with... Oh well I hoped that it could be remedied once and for all.

 

* Thanks Eric. This is exactly what I meant (and it's he )

 

P.S.: The 1 second latency I also get sometimes, and indeed the reboot kills it.

[taxiway01]

Experiencing the same thing here, rebooting the Core Audio indeed solves the problem. Still, happens at every LP launch... pretty embarassing in front of clients.

 

Anyone has a clue as if this can be avoided, or to what it's due ?

[Viv Savage]

From what I notice the reboot kills it most of the time. When I use Logic it is usually several hours after another, and I only noticed these quirks during the first 30 minutes.

 

As for clients.... I tell them it is part of the weirdness that is Logic. Everything is still there, and once the Core has rebooted they notice that everything is still there as well. From that point on it is only an annoyance.

 

As to avoid... Absotively no clue. Quite possibly this is a bug either in Core Audio or Logic and the Apple peeps have to look into it.