follow-up/assistance with USB 2.0 performance
Hi again,
Just a quick update to my problem:
After doing a bit of research to ensure that my Dell Dimension E310 is properly equipped with USB 2.0 ports (which it was), I decided to buy a new cable that was "certified" as being USB 2.0-compliant. Interestingly enough, this improved things a bit, but some similar problems still existed.
At default latency (which is something like 4/17ms per REAPER, although I could be off by a few), I only heard a few clicks that pretty much went away when I pulled out my USB-based wireless (LAN) NIC. However, when I tried lowering the latency by one step (from the middle of five to the next lower setting), REAPER only played for a second or two and then locked up. The strange thing is that, with the new cable, I was actually able to get the US-1641 control panel application to close (unlike before).
Called TASCAM and they didn't really have any conclusive feedback for me. Suggested that I try hooking up the US-1641 to another machine to see if it responded the same way. Hooked it up to my laptop and found that the performance was definitely a lot better, although I still experienced some audible problems at both of the aforementioned speeds--although I was always able to open/close the control panel application, unlike on my desktop. Put in a shorter cable (to the laptop) and the performance also seemed to improve a little at that point as well.
Had the laptop performed exactly like my desktop, the TASCAM tech would have been convinced that I had a defective US-1641. However, since the results were definitely different (although not perfect), I'm beginning to think that the problem may lie with the USB 2.0 performance on my Dell.
So I've been racking my brain with trying to figure out if there's something wrong with the USB 2.0 setup on my Dell, but it's really been hard to find anything conclusive online. If possible, I'm wondering if anyone:
a. Knows if the USB 2.0 ports Dimension E310 are hubbed together in any way. (It seemed as though plugging in a front port on the PC rendered slightly better performance than the rear.)
b. Can help point me to any methods for testing and/or ensuring that something isn't wrong with the way my PC is set up (drivers, BIOS, etc.).
c. Has any additional suggestions.
If I can't get things resolved (fairly quickly), I'll probably have to return the unit for a refund. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot and take care,
Alan
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