Profire 610 help!!!

[SnappleNinja88]

Hello everyone, yesterday I received the M-Audio Profire 610 as a gift. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I got it set up to the computer (which is a Mac), but the input signal light flickers instead of stays on constantly. Not only that, but when I did record something, it was complete and utter garbage quality. I'm talking pitch distortion and cracking beyond all belief. I have personally seen a Profire 610 in action, and I know what it is capable of. I'm guessing mine is either defective or that I am using it wrong (probably the latter). Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I am using Logic, in case that information is relevant. Thank you.

[RTR]

I use mine with PT..did you go to the m-audio site and download the newest drivers yet? That is something you have to do! If you did already..open your mixer (m audio mixer) and..let me look........click on the settings tab and see what your buffer is set at...also make sure that your buffer settings in logic are the same as the m-audio(om the mixer/settings) and make sure that when you change your buffer settings in logic it changes in the mixer settings also...I had this problem in PT, I had the ignor box checked..I cant remember exactly but it ignores plugin problems having that checked, the buffer would not change on the m-audio but would in PT...good luck!! PS. MAKE SURE you have the latest drivers!!

[SnappleNinja88]

thank you very much, but I am completely oblivious to technology and i have no idea what that means. I have a little knowledge, but i have no idea what a buffer is or what it does. Thanks for the reply though! can I get another push in the right direction?

[bexarametric]

If you plan on recording with a computer, you have to at least learn about the buffer size. This is something that is relative to every audio interface and is a critical setting that you must adjust so you can make music on your computer.

A simple explanation of what buffer size is:

When you plug into an interface, your signal goes in the interface, through the data (USB/Firewire Cable), into the computer, processes through the program, back through the data cable and then out to your speakers or headphones. This takes time. The buffer setting helps determine the amount of time. You obviously want to monitor as close to real-time as possible.

So why don't we just set it at zero and move on? Well, your program and computer have other things they need to be doing, like processing plugins and keeping track of samples etc. So there's not actually zero latency out there. There's always going to be a few milliseconds of delay. But not enough for your ears to notice usually. However, when you set your buffer too low (meaning the latency/delay is almost zero milliseconds), your computer has to work a lot harder. Therefore you often get "garbage" sounding clicks and pops.

In other words, increase your buffer size (slightly increase your latency/delay) so the processor can "catch up" to the song.

In Logic go to EDIT>PREFERENCES. Then navigate to the AUDIO section where you will find the buffer rate adjustment (which should have settings of 128, 256 etc etc). Wherever it is at now, it's too low. Make it a number higher. Then listen to playback. If you still hear clicks and pops, increase it again. Keep repeating this process until the clicks and pops go away. Good luck.