Disk Cache Problem

Alex_M · 17th August 2006

Usually a lot of the music I record is jazz, and doesn't require much in terms of editing.

However, today i was trying to edit a Rock tune I recorded, and after about 10 edits, everytime I tried to play the song back, it dropped out repeatedly and my cache meter "peaked", so to speak.

I can't figure out a way to increase my disk cache to stop this from happening.

I'm running Cubase SX3 with an HP 2.8ghz, 2gb of ram. It's not the best of computers, but I really think it should be able to handle something like a couple of edits.

Please help.

**George Necola** · 17th August 2006

did you just try to increase the buffer of your sounddevice? somethimes there is a connection...

diskdefragmentation?

cheers

manning1 · 17th August 2006

alex...in addition
you should be able to do a ton of stuff on that machine unless you have poor
junky hard drives. silly low levels of memory or pci slots filled to the gills.
questions...
how many tracks in song ?? plugs total ??
more info on your system ?? memory ?? hd's ??
is your sound card in a pci slot ??
have you optimised your pc for daw work ??
ps...hard drive model numbers would help.
i suspect you might be useing 2mb cache vanilla hd"s ??
if so spend 80 buks on a 16mb cache hd.
a RULE...digital audio LIKES FAT HARD DRIVE CACHES.

Alex_M · 17th August 2006

Thanks for the info,

I already defraged and optimized my computer for DAW work, and still no difference. The CPU isn't being strained at all, it's just the disk cache.

I'll try increasing the buffers later today.

The song is 27 tracks, and I just started editing, so I don't have any plugs running.

I don't know the model numbers of my hard drive. But I'm pretty sure it's a 2mb cache.

I guess I'll just have to pickup a 16mb cache hardrive. Right now I'm running XP and Cubase on the same drive which is guess is somewhat of a no-no.

If anybody else has any ideas though, let me know!

Thanks.

manning1 · 18th August 2006

alex....
i dont use cubase...but most audio software is the same.
when your doing edits be carefull where they are stored.
sometimes temporary areas of a disc drive might be used by the audio software
for non destructive editing maybe.
if those temporary areas are on the same drive as windows itself...ie..C drive, and are being used to playback in the mix....and windows decides to do something this might (not saying it is...just might) be the reason.
as ive said here many times ideally you want a hard drive dedicated to recording on its own controller SEPERATE from the C drive. (for windows).......and thus you point your audio software at the recording drive to record to AS WELL AS
for temporary editing. (ie..not the win c drive.)

a 16mb cache drive is a good idea.
you will need to look at the specs of your pc to ascertain
the hard drive support for added drives...or get a tech to suggest a suitable 16 mb cache hd that will work well with your model of pc.
i mention this because your motherboard might be restricted as to
what you can add.

17th August 2006	#1
Alex_M Gear interested Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	Disk Cache Problem Usually a lot of the music I record is jazz, and doesn't require much in terms of editing. However, today i was trying to edit a Rock tune I recorded, and after about 10 edits, everytime I tried to play the song back, it dropped out repeatedly and my cache meter "peaked", so to speak. I can't figure out a way to increase my disk cache to stop this from happening. I'm running Cubase SX3 with an HP 2.8ghz, 2gb of ram. It's not the best of computers, but I really think it should be able to handle something like a couple of edits. Please help.

17th August 2006	#3
manning1 Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: canada Posts: 3,998	alex...in addition you should be able to do a ton of stuff on that machine unless you have poor junky hard drives. silly low levels of memory or pci slots filled to the gills. questions... how many tracks in song ?? plugs total ?? more info on your system ?? memory ?? hd's ?? is your sound card in a pci slot ?? have you optimised your pc for daw work ?? ps...hard drive model numbers would help. i suspect you might be useing 2mb cache vanilla hd"s ?? if so spend 80 buks on a 16mb cache hd. a RULE...digital audio LIKES FAT HARD DRIVE CACHES. __________________ i'm just a dumb computer engr (ret'd)...."quantum computing is the future" running a native software studio daw...Powertracks and Reaper on amd. new cockney album released http://therockingbloodbrothers.blogspot.com/ my other little songs www.motagator.com/bmanning

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18th August 2006	#5
manning1 Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: canada Posts: 3,998	alex.... i dont use cubase...but most audio software is the same. when your doing edits be carefull where they are stored. sometimes temporary areas of a disc drive might be used by the audio software for non destructive editing maybe. if those temporary areas are on the same drive as windows itself...ie..C drive, and are being used to playback in the mix....and windows decides to do something this might (not saying it is...just might) be the reason. as ive said here many times ideally you want a hard drive dedicated to recording on its own controller SEPERATE from the C drive. (for windows).......and thus you point your audio software at the recording drive to record to AS WELL AS for temporary editing. (ie..not the win c drive.) a 16mb cache drive is a good idea. you will need to look at the specs of your pc to ascertain the hard drive support for added drives...or get a tech to suggest a suitable 16 mb cache hd that will work well with your model of pc. i mention this because your motherboard might be restricted as to what you can add.