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1054 Views 16 Replies Latest reply: Feb 21, 2012 9:26 AM by Line6Don RSS
Manierrem Just Startin'
Manierrem
9 posts since
Dec 25, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 18, 2012 7:20 AM

CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

Hi,

 

I've started using my Ux1 as a sound card so I can listen through my monitors. For some reaon every time I flip open itunes and either play (or don't play) music through itunes one of my CPU cores begins spiking all the way up to 100% periodically- ever 15 seconds or so. I have verified this in a few programs- I've attached some screenshots so you can see what I'm talking about. I'm using an AMD Phenom x6 1055 on 64 bit Windows 7- as you can se core 6 is the only one that seems to freak out when the UX1 audio drivers are in use. This issue immediately ceases to occur when I close out itunes or switch to my computer's default sound card.  DPC latency checker is flat across the board, it doesn't moke in accordance with the CPU spikes.

 

I have checked many additional processes and programs and the only one that seems to be associated with the spike is itunes, but like I said, the problem happens only when I'm using the UX1 sound card. This leads me to suspect a driver issue- I reinstalled the 2.51 drivers and the problem still exists. Any ideas of what might be causing this or how I could fix it? Might a fix be coming in the future?

 

Pictures:Ux1 spikes.JPG

ux1 spikes 2.JPG

  • Manierrem Just Startin'
    Manierrem
    9 posts since
    Dec 25, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 26, 2012 4:45 PM (in response to Manierrem)
    Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

    *Bump* Nobody has had this issue before?

    • Line6Don Line 6 Support
      Line6Don
      5,274 posts since
      Mar 14, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 2, 2012 4:17 PM (in response to Manierrem)
      Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

      Streaming audio to an external audio interface is a CPU intensive process. Does this single core CPU spike seem to effect your computer's performance adversely? If so please provide furhter information as to how this CPU spike is effecting your work flow. In addition, please provide us with the troubleshooting steps that you have already taken to solve this.

       

      I would suggest that you optimize Windows 7 using the official instructions below, as out of the box windows 7 visual effects are CPU intensive:

       

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Optimize-Windows-7-for-better-performance

      • Manierrem Just Startin'
        Manierrem
        9 posts since
        Dec 25, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 4, 2012 11:40 AM (in response to Line6Don)
        Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

        Thank you for your reply.

         

        Steaming audio should not be so intensive that it brings a 2.8 ghz processor to peak repeatedly. If this was just an instance of heavy CPU load you would think that it would 1) be spread between different CPU cores, spiking them all occasionally and 2) the load would be constant, rather than periodic spikes. Using my default sound card with itunes doesn't push the CPU over 8% at any time.

         

        This does not effect my performance adversely aside fro when working in REAPER, at which point contributes to heightened CPU load and some choppiness when using heavy VSTs or a lot of tracks. My main concern is that the constant spiking will increase the wear and tear on that processor core, heightening risk for failure down the road.I imagine the constant spiking could cause issues with slow down during recording during CPU intensive parts. Regardless of the implications it seems the UX1 is making my CPU do some pretty odd stuff that it should not be doing.

         

        Here is what I've done:

        -I have gone through the entire windows 7 performance guide you linked to and there was nothing I haven't done already.

         

        -I also went through everything here with little success: http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2085

         

        -I have tried using different media players (windows media and quicktime rather than itunes) to see if this alleviates the spiking but it did not.

         

        -DPC latency checker doesn't show any spikes, which is strange and it doesn't point to an immediate application related fix.

         

        -Reinstalled drivers. I have yet to try reverting to legacy drivers, I can do that if you'd like. I couldn't say how long the problem has actually been going on since I only started using the UX1 as a sound card in January.

         

        -I replicated the issue using itunes and Reaper separately with no unessential applications running.

         

        The only ways to stop the spiking that I've found are:

             1) Close out all programs that use audio. This could be itunes, but also includes youtube videos and Reaper. All CPU cores will then idle.

         

             2) Switching to my on board sound card and use my other speakers. Then I can run itunes, reaper, or any other program without spikes as long as I am not using the UX1 for speaker output.

        • Line6Don Line 6 Support
          Line6Don
          5,274 posts since
          Mar 14, 2011
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 6, 2012 11:10 AM (in response to Manierrem)
          Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

          As I mentioned earlier streaming and recording audio is a CPU intensive process. I tested my Dell desktop running Windows XP SP 3 and a intel core duo. I Have a UX1 assigned as my system sound card as well. I opened iTunes and started playing a song, while I had Reaper open and recording a track, and my over all CPU usage was averaging around 30% with spikes around 70%. According to your overall CPU usage when the spike occurs your AMD is reporting only 18% overall CPU usage.

           

          Is it possible that your AMD based machine has USB filter that could be contributing to this CPU spike, try the suggestions available at the link below:

           

          http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2215

           

          Using older drivers would also be a good thing to try to see if different versions of our drivers have different performance on your computer.

           

          To uninstall the Line 6 drivers:

           

          I would suggest that you use the Line 6 Uninstaller located at the location below to remove your currently installed Line 6 drivers:

           

          Windows 7/Vista  -  C:\Program Files(x86)\Line6\Tools -  Line6Uninstaller

          Windows XP -  C:\Program Files\Line6\Tools -  Line6Uninstaller

           

          Make sure to disconnect any of your Line 6 USB devices prior to starting the uninstaller. Make sure to only check the boxes at the bottom of the list that are related to the Line 6 drivers, and proceed to uninstall them. Once they are removed, restart the computer. Upon restart download a older version of our drivers from our software page at the link below:

           

          http://line6.com/software/

           

          Make sure not to connect your Line 6 USB device until prompted to so at the end of the installation process. After connecting it, make sure and look towards the Windows system clock for a notification that Windows has detected your device and has successfully installed the drivers before moving forward. If you do not receive this notification message, make sure to try reconnecting the Line 6 hardware to each available USB port until you have exhausted all available USB ports.

  • Manierrem Just Startin'
    Manierrem
    9 posts since
    Dec 25, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 7, 2012 5:12 PM (in response to Manierrem)
    Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

    Though my overall CPU utilization is 18%, you'll notice that one core, core 6, continuously cycles between 0 and 100% when my sound card is in use. Note tmusic doesn't even need to be playing. Itunes can just be open and the spikes will occur. Rather than idling the CPU just keeps spiking

     

    As for what you suggested:

     

    1) uninstalled/reinstalled the AMD USB filter. Didn't change anything.

     

    2) Tried installing legacy drivers. With 4.0.2.3 the issue is still present, though the spikes are a bit less prominent, regularly peaking at around 60% rather than 100%.

     

    4.0.2.7 also had the spikes happening routinely, though they were spiking at around 62% on core 6.

     

    4.2.4.9. regular spikes still occuring, spiking around 60% on core 6

     

    4.2.5.1 Regular spikes at 60% still for core 6. Not sure why it isn't spiking at 100% anymore, to be honest. II tried using a different USB port and it went back up to 100% spikes, so I might be using a faster USB 2 port, I can't really see the ports on my desk.

     

    So it seems like switching USB ports has helped a little, but the problem is not remedied by updating drivers. CPU core 6 still refuses to idle while the sound card is in use, regardless of if music is being played or not. The moment I switch sound cards CPU core 6 idles, or at least drops down to 5% or so.

     

    Thank you for your suggestions so far.

  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 8, 2012 4:25 PM (in response to Manierrem)
    Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

    Hi,

     

    If you found a USB filter driver you should uninstall it and leave it uninstalled. They "manage" the power sent to your USB ports and can cause a lot of issues with audio devices. Also, be sure to update you video card drivers. I have seen issues with out of date video card drivers that cause strange occurrences like this.

     

    Thanks,

    David

    Line 6 Customer Support

    • Manierrem Just Startin'
      Manierrem
      9 posts since
      Dec 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 8, 2012 8:30 PM (in response to Line6david)
      Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

      Hi,

       

       

      To clarify, those driver updates and tests were all done *without* the AMD USB filter installed. I uninstalled, did the updates, and then reinstalled it at the end. I'll remove it completely again.

       

      Updating video drivers was a good suggestion, and they were out of date. That has not fixeed the issue, unfortunately.

      • Line6Hugo Line 6
        Line6Hugo
        6,580 posts since
        Apr 8, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 9, 2012 5:15 PM (in response to Manierrem)
        Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

        What kind of problems are you experiencing with the audio when using the UX1?  It is one thing to experieince spiking in your CPU just by being connected, but when does it affect the performance of your computer.  If you are streaming audio though the UX1, does the audio sound like there is something wrong?

         

        The UX1 and the other sound card you mention will be like apples to oranges unless it is also using the same Line 6 audio-midi driver.  This may just be the nature of our drivers working on your particular system with those specific hardware specifications, but in order to fix something, we need to know how it is adversly affecting the performance of the system.

         

        Regards,

         

        Line6Hugo

        • Manierrem Just Startin'
          Manierrem
          9 posts since
          Dec 25, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 10, 2012 9:11 AM (in response to Line6Hugo)
          Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

          Hi,

           

          To be honest I don't experience any severe issues with my computer's performance due to these spikes. I haven't done any recording or super intensive stuff though, so it's really unclear as to how it might impact my computer's performance under a high load. I imagine that having a CPU core constantly going up and down wouldn't be helpful for performance during seriously CPU intensive tasks such as recording. As noted, I'm also somewhat concerned that my CPU constantly cycling up and down like this could hurt its longevity down the road.

           

          To aswer your question, then, it doesn't sound like anything is wrong- the problem is purely related to my reported CPU usage.

          • Line6Don Line 6 Support
            Line6Don
            5,274 posts since
            Mar 14, 2011
            Currently Being Moderated
            Feb 15, 2012 10:38 AM (in response to Manierrem)
            Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

            If the the CPU spikes do not seem to impact your performance or workflow then I feel that this is normal for a multi core CPU.

             

            Using the optimization guide that I linked you to previously will be your best bet to reduce unneeded CPU usage.

            • timhewitt Just Startin'
              timhewitt
              7 posts since
              Dec 25, 2008
              Currently Being Moderated
              Feb 18, 2012 6:50 AM (in response to Line6Don)
              Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

              Hi there,

               

              Was going to open a new thread but this sums up my issue pretty well so i thought i'd post here, sorry if I shouldn't.

               

              Anyway to begin taken from Dxdiag : Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU  750  @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs).
              I am on Windows 7.
              I use a toneport ux2 as my soundcard.

               

              When using a programs such as Podfarm, iTunes, Cubase the core of the 3rd processor will always spike. Even if the programs are not using much CPU (blank project in Cubase etc)

               

              On a bad day, for example if I am using CPU heavy programs at the same time as iTunes for example the spiking will crackle the audio, when it spikes.

               

              I have attached some screenshots to show

              System Idling/No Cpu heavy programs or audio related programs.

               

              Idling.png

              Spiking with podfarm

              Podfarm.png

              Spiking with iTunes

              Itunes playing.png

               

              I have done everything already suggested in this thread drivers etc which have not stopped it.

               

              Looking forward to a reply, please don't hesitate to ask for more info.

               

              Cheers!

               

               

              EDIT: Just thought i'd add. I've been using my toneport with this computer about 1.5years. I also experience and have experienced sound drop out (no way to get back but restarting) and BSODs. The sound drop outs used to be quite frequent but last ~2months or so don't know why seem to have slowed down (haven't changed anything in my system) BSODs are irregular.

               

              Only other thing is if you turn on the the computer with the toneport in and phantom power on the sound will be distorted, sometimes possible to fix by unplugging and plugging back in. Possible USB power issue?

               

              Anyway had these issues for a while so its not stopping me using the device. But it would be nice if it didn't happen

              • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
                silverhead
                9,592 posts since
                Apr 1, 2009
                Currently Being Moderated
                Feb 18, 2012 7:59 AM (in response to timhewitt)
                Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

                Just a thought - try temporarily disconnecting your computer from the Interent and then disable your real-time virus/spyware checking. Do these spikes still occur?

                 

                Of course, while your virus checking is disabled, avoid connecting any external media (e.g. usb flash drive, CD, etc...) to your computer.

              • jojodiver Just Startin'
                jojodiver
                9 posts since
                Nov 18, 2011
                Currently Being Moderated
                Feb 18, 2012 11:14 AM (in response to timhewitt)
                Re: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

                try inactivate booth your wifi and ethernet cards. I had the same problem and so does a lot of people judging from a lot of threads here. isolating the pc from the outside world by inactivating all external comunications solved my problems

                it appears a lot of people have problems with windows7 and I havnt found anywhere that line6 recognises this as a problem, and indeed, my computer reports no conflicts. still, my "intel core i7" goes crazy when using my UX1 and having wifi or ethernet active, with intermittent muting, crackling and noise as result.

                this is unfortunate as it means my UX1, wich I used to love, now sits unused when I listen to streamed music(spotify is running 2-4 hour a day) or watching youtube. and I can no longer use the UX1/podfarm when learning new songs off the internet..basicly, for anything exept recording guitar once in a while, I'm back to before I bought my UX 1because of what I would consider a software issiue.....none of this was a problem with my old computer running windows XP...sadly, that computer died when the magic smoke exited the fan outlet.....

                good luck

                J

  • Line6Don Line 6 Support
    Line6Don
    5,274 posts since
    Mar 14, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 21, 2012 9:26 AM (in response to Manierrem)
    RE: CPU spikes when using UX1 as sound card?

    Hi. We created a support ticket for you so we can resolve this issue. Please respond to the ticket. Thanks.

       

      Q: What is a support ticket?

      A: A support ticket allows you to directly correspond with a Line 6 Support Representative. An email will be sent to you from Line 6 containing a link to the ticket when a Line 6 Support Representative responds to it. Please follow the link in the email to view your open ticket to work one on one with Line 6 Support. Also, in your account, click My Account, then click Support Tickets to view the support ticket. Here’s a shortcut:

       

      http://line6.com/account/tickets/view/.

       

      Please note: Sometimes support ticket notifications will be filtered to spam and junk folders. If you did not receive an email from us indicating that a ticket has been created, please make sure to check those folders in your email host, and also that your email account is receiving messages at all. You may also consider adding Line 6 to your safe senders list.

       

      Since we’ll be working on this via the ticket, I’m marking the thread Assumed Answered.

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