Solved Difficulty with garbled sound and sample rates

[FenderDude]

I have a recurring issue with garbled audio via my Line6 Pod Go, which i am using as a USB interface. Typically, when i open a Studio One file and try to play a song file, the audio is garbled. So I open Song Setup and adjust teh Sample Rate to 48kHz / 24 bit/ 25 fps, which i understand to be typical for the Line6 Pod Go. Sometimes this improves the audio quality, sometimes it does not. I then have to change the rate to 96kHz, then back to 48kHz, then to 44.1kHz, in an effort to get clear audio. Eventually, it randomly results in clear audio. However, the next time i open a song file, the audio may or may not be clear and i have to randomly adjust the sample rate until it is clear again. Or the audio is clear, but then randomly become garbled again. This is a serious disruption to using Studio One. I am currently using the demo version, and as much as i like Studio one and want to purchase it, this is holding me back.

What do i need to do to make sure the audio is consistently clear and remains clear?

I already raised a support ticket with presonus. I was advised to try ASIO4ALL, which I did , but unfortunately it didn't help the issue.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Windows 11
Studio one pro 7 demo

 

[chichogp]

Try this:

1- Disable exclusive mode: Open up Sound settings on your windows (System->Sound). Go to More Sound Settings under Advanced. On the Playback tab double click on your interface's output(s). Go to the Advanced tab and disable "Allow applications...". Do the same on the Recording tab for every input your interface has.

2- Open Studio One. Hit ctrl + , to open the settings dialog and go to the Audio Setup tab. Disable "Release Audio Device In Background".

3- Check your Block Size settings: On the same settings tab choose a block size that your PC can handle. Having this number on the short side might give you low latency at the cost of straining your CPU. If you don't have a decent machine you might not be able to use the shortest ones. Also, go to the Processing tab and experiment with increasing the Dropout Protection buffer.

4- Check your USB cable, a faulty cable can make your pod lose sync (connection).

5- Make sure your pod's drivers and firmware are up to date. Sometimes a manufacturer can make a good product with shitty drivers. Check with other Line6 users whether this is a known issue. If this is the case then consider the possibility of buying an actual interface.

 

[SwitchBack]

Also, when you commit to a sample rate, say 48kHz, then make sure that all things audio on your system, including system audio, are on that sample rate. Also note that songs remember the sample rate they were set to when last stored. Old songs may be on a sample rate different to your current preference and will try/suggest to switch your interface to that. Then consider changing the sample rate in that song's Setup to your preferred sample rate and save the song (after resampling is done) under a new name or version (to also preserve the root version).

 

[FenderDude]

Try this:

1- Disable exclusive mode: Open up Sound settings on your windows (System->Sound). Go to More Sound Settings under Advanced. On the Playback tab double click on your interface's output(s). Go to the Advanced tab and disable "Allow applications...". Do the same on the Recording tab for every input your interface has.

2- Open Studio One. Hit ctrl + , to open the settings dialog and go to the Audio Setup tab. Disable "Release Audio Device In Background".

3- Check your Block Size settings: On the same settings tab choose a block size that your PC can handle. Having this number on the short side might give you low latency at the cost of straining your CPU. If you don't have a decent machine you might not be able to use the shortest ones. Also, go to the Processing tab and experiment with increasing the Dropout Protection buffer.

4- Check your USB cable, a faulty cable can make your pod lose sync (connection).

5- Make sure your pod's drivers and firmware are up to date. Sometimes a manufacturer can make a good product with shitty drivers. Check with other Line6 users whether this is a known issue. If this is the case then consider the possibility of buying an actual interface.

Hi
Thank you very much for these suggestions. I revised my settings and I will see if the audio remains clear. I appreciate it!

 

[FenderDude]

Also, when you commit to a sample rate, say 48kHz, then make sure that all things audio on your system, including system audio, are on that sample rate. Also note that songs remember the sample rate they were set to when last stored. Old songs may be on a sample rate different to your current preference and will try/suggest to switch your interface to that. Then consider changing the sample rate in that song's Setup to your preferred sample rate and save the song (after resampling is done) under a new name or version (to also preserve the root version).

Hi
Thank you, I verified a consistent sample rate across all other audio settings. I appreciate your feedback!

 

[chichogp]

Hi
Thank you, I verified a consistent sample rate across all other audio settings. I appreciate your feedback!

It might look that way, but if you don't do what I've described above (steps 1 and 2 specially) some other program might be taking control of the driver and changing the sample rate without you knowing.

 

[FenderDude]

It might look that way, but if you don't do what I've described above (steps 1 and 2 specially) some other program might be taking control of the driver and changing the sample rate without you knowing.

Hi. Yes, thank you, I did all five steps of your suggestions. I appreciate it very much.

 

[lokeyfly]

Along with the good advice already provided...

......I then have to change the rate to 96kHz, then back to 48kHz, then to 44.1kHz, in an effort to get clear audio. Eventually, it randomly results in clear audio.

Stay with 48k (or 44.1k if your relevant sound settings, card, and Studio One are set to) and keep to that.

However, the next time i open a song file, the audio may or may not be clear and i have to randomly adjust the sample rate until it is clear again. Or the audio is clear, but then randomly become garbled again.

There's nothing random that should ever be occuring. Follow the above suggestions to set your PC, and check outside sources or programs running in the background as well.

What do i need to do to make sure the audio is consistently clear and remains clear?

Seriously consider purchasing an audio interface of almost any manufacturer over some half baked Line6 Pod Go internal driver. I dont know if that item is ASIO compliant either. If it isnt, you then need a wrapper such as ASIO4ALL to make the Line6 Go work with a DAW.

I already raised a support ticket with presonus. I was advised to try ASIO4ALL, which I did , but unfortunately it didn't help the issue.

Support wont help with that issue other than advise using ASIO4ALL which was ok advice. Only if you want the best advice, you need an ASIO compliant audio interface. Most on the market already are, so think about what real next steps you need to do.
Such as:
1. Buy Studio One (not tinker with the demo).
2. Buy an ASIO compliant audio interface as everyone in this forum has already done (barring any unforseen people who insist on having the same difficulty).
3. Then, (and again) follow the above advice in this thread.
Good luck, and enjoy Studio One!

 

[Vocalpoint]

It is a well known fact that Line6 drivers are substandard. Struggling with trying to get S1 and this budget thing to talk is pointless.

And without question - never use ASIO4All - for any purpose - except when you want to practice deleting files on your PC.

As usual - our man @lokeyfly has the recipe above. Great way to start enjoying your guitar journey instead of dealing with issues.

Parting thought- if you are as serious about guitar (like say - I am) - I might add a Step 4 to his plan - consider purchasing Scuffham S-Gear 3.x for your rig.

You will forget about your Line6 Pod Go and possibly any other amp sims - quickly.

VP

 

[John Vere]

I can verify that the Line6 was always an issue. Seen dozens of posts about it on various forums.

An audio device that has no proper ASIO driver will cause issues with Windows and your Daw.
This video is old but I don’t think much has been added other than most manufacturers often update their models.

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[FenderDude]

Hi
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'm definitely open to the idea of a different interface and driver. I'll need to do some more research into that. In the meantime I'll iterate on the suggestions for settings in studio one and advise if I find something that works.

 

[lokeyfly]

Way to go, FenderDude.
Btw, don't forget item #4. Add Scuffham S-Gear 3.x!

 

[Resonant Serpent]

Line 6 drivers are awful. Lived through that before over a decade ago, and ended up where you're at right now. Their drivers, along with Focusrite, are notorious for the 666 errors we dealt with for a long time. Even Behringer is better than Line 6 when it comes to interfaces.

 

[Vocalpoint]

In the meantime I'll iterate on the suggestions for settings in studio one and advise if I find something that works.

Just know that Studio One is not a magic elixir to a bad driver. This is classic example of "garbage in" = "garbage in".

S1 is simply an endpoint - but it thrives on well written pro-level drivers and will work like a dream when given some.

VP

 

[FenderDude]

I'm learning so much from you all , thanks!
I'm seriously considering the presonus quantum es-2 interface, because:

I'd really like to buy a perp license to S1pro, and right now there's a special going on and for the price of a license I could get the interface too

It sounds like I'll need a different interface that works well with S1

99.9% of what I record is guitar instrumentals and bass lines, and this interface seems well suited for that

Scuffham s-gear looks super cool, so I might consider that as well

Any good experience with the quantum es-2?

 

[Vocalpoint]

Any good experience with the quantum es-2?

As far as integration goes - if you buy a Presonus interface - this is the best choice you can make.

The interface and S1 are bonded like bread and butter.

Any of the Quantum series will far outstrip struggling with that Line6 Pod.

Good luck with the choices.

VP

 

[Trucky]

Don't forget to check out the Re-Amp capabilities included with the Quantum HD 2...

Quantum HD 2

 

[John Vere]

Seems a no brainer for getting a Presonus interface if it includes a license to S1.
Only concern is that when I was researching for the video at least 3 bench test results put the Presonus pre amps at the bottom of the score.

That was 2 years ago so possibly that has been fixed?

 

[SwitchBack]

... at least 3 bench test results put the Presonus pre amps at the bottom of the score ...

Would be good to include those tests. Very hard to judge from just the statement. PreSonus always had 'clean' (no colourations/distortions) preamps as opposed to 'smooth' (colouration due to some soft clipping/filtering mechanism) preamps. Clean can sound harsh and may even clip if you expect smooth when pushing the preamp. How knowledgeable were those testers?

 

[John Vere]

If you watch the video I explained this. It was definitely hard to find the information as not all manufacturers supplied specifications. Specifically S/N. But Presonus does so I used that as part of my evaluation.
Of course it’s only a specifications and only audio geeks worry about that.
I doubt if most people’s hearing would notice. But it was point against the 2 I listed.

Example because the SSL2 was very high on the list that was a factor in my decision to purchase it. Heck if I can hear anything that is “ better “ than all my 6 other interfaces. As a matter of fact I find it is very wimpy and both the main outputs and headphones need to be cranked almost to max. The Motu’s also score high but I’ve had a lot of issues with crackling audio since day one.
My best interface by far is the Zoom L8. They also make very inexpensive 2x2 interfaces.

But getting back to the Presonus, if I had known back then that I was going to switch to Studio one I would have definitely bought one. If you want better preamps just buy a dedicated one and make sure the interface has line ins that bypass the interface preamp.

In the video I make a point of taking a close look at what goodies are included with the interface. They are often worth as much in value as the interface itself.