Unusual Computer Problem

[Ken Morgan]

OK, this is pretty bizarre. Doing some work on SP 8.1, by importing some consolidated ProTools tracks and bounced in place Logic tracks into a new SP song. Finished what I was doing, decided to go back to PT to consolidate some other tracks to get them into SP, and here's where the trouble started.

PT would not open, crashing on every attempt. Neither would Logic. Trying to open either in safe mode was futile. Restart did not help. Ended up having to turn off the computer, then open either one in safe mode to get PT to complete its opening cycle on (same with Logic). From what I could gather, even when exiting properly, SP was not releasing the Audient core audio somehow. Cold restarting did, but in my mind it was the same as rubbing a brown egg while facing south with one eye closed (IE superstition). Is this unheard of? Thanks

Computer: 2018 Mac mini, Sequioa 15.7.7, 32G,

 

[dominicperry]

I’m guessing but if your Audient interface got itself in a twist, then powering off the interface (either manually or via a computer restart - assuming interface is bus powered) would be the only way to get it freed up.
Just quitting the DAW(s) won’t necessarily be enough.
There’s enough brains in modern audio interfaces for them to have their own behaviour. It’s not just the software driver.
Even my super-reliable RME interface sometimes gets upset if I don’t power-cycle it when I move it from a Mac to a Windows machine.
Dominic

 

[lokeyfly]

OK, this is pretty bizarre. Doing some work on SP 8.1, by importing some consolidated ProTools tracks and bounced in place Logic tracks into a new SP song.

Finished what I was doing, decided to go back to PT to consolidate some other tracks to get them into SP, and here's where the trouble started.

PT would not open, crashing on every attempt. Neither would Logic. Trying to open either in safe mode was futile. Restart did not help. Ended up having to turn off the computer, then open either one in safe mode to get PT to complete its opening cycle on (same with Logic). From what I could gather, even when exiting properly, SP was not releasing the Audient core audio somehow. Cold restarting did, but in my mind it was the same as rubbing a brown egg while facing south with one eye closed (IE superstition). Is this unheard of? Thanks

In most of the above, you had already performed cold restarts. From changing safe mode, to get PT to complete its recycle. In short, this all isn’t clear. As yet, anyhow.

Computer: 2018 Mac mini, Sequioa 15.7.7, 32G,

Not really enough info here, but lets try. First, provide which Audient interface you're actually using. Contrary, to the last comment, Audient interfaces are a rock. However. The iD series are very flexible with its own mixer routing. Only, I dont believe the issue is there, but worth checking.

For example, check that you dont have loop back on, or some other switching that might cause some potential loop or system freeze.

When you consolidated your PT tracks, make sure their location isnt from different file folders. They may not be, but their original source may have, and have caused some corrupt file (or USB address). Eventually hanging things up. My usual fix on anything not understood is to start with a fresh song, or copy the song and try there.

In your several processes, before and after consolidating, did you save your Studio Pro song to any other file locations. Particularly such as a Save As, to another folder? This alone might cause some missing files being found or possibly causing the hangup.

Sorry, I dont have more at the moment, but lets see if we can better weed through the steps.

I would try to create the process again on a new song if possible. Your original song could have rendering anomalies, hidden tracks, etc. etc. Or, How your initial PT and Logic tracks were actually consolidated or where stored.

My Audient iD is also a rock, and always has been with Studio One, PT, loopback, and extended hardware tracking. So, not getting that former comment.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Thanks folks...

I've never used loopback or anything like it.

When I save anything regardless of program, that save is done into a specific folder on an external drive with the song name. Im worthless with drawing anything, so please let me try and explain:

-On my Audio drive, Ill create a folder called Cowboy ABC
- I'll open PT, consolidate files, then using PT export,
- Create a sub-folder called Cowboy ABC 120BPM Jun 18 Trax
- Close PT, Open SP
- Start a new SP song, set the tempo, etc, and set the save structure in the main folder Cowboy ABC as "Cowboy ABC SP"
- Import all audio from the Cowboy ABC Trax folder
- This way generally works quite well.

However, after a couple hours of work, I'll need/want to work on something else, and this is where the trouble begins. I shut off SP using proper save routines, including a backup file to an additional external drive once SP is shut down. When I try to initiate PT (mainly) or Logic (less and less these days) the startup crashes. Attempts to start in safe mode (start while holding N) always fail, and it takes an entire cold restart to get things back to normal.

I've learned to live with it - workarounds and all. I won't die, and I don't have paying clients looking at their watches (anymore) so all this is just an annoyance. I'm starting to suspect my computer's age is showing...maybe my age is showing. There may even be an older ARA plug-in involved, simply don't know.

 

[Ken Morgan]

OK...problem solved. Seems I still had some older Waves shells lurking about that were fine in the VST world but not in the AAX or AU worlds. Moved them out of the active plugin startups for any and all DAW apps (as well as a lot of other stuff I haven't used in years) and all's well.

Who'd a thunk it?