Weird HD meter jumping... "Disk Too Slow" error... ?

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Level 2

451 points

Weird HD meter jumping... "Disk Too Slow" error... ?

I'm just trying to record 2 tracks of live audio, but the HD meter in the Transport Bar keeps "jumping" every few seconds or so. And I had it quit last night due to a "Disk too slow" error.

I have a fairly beefy computer, and a lot of room on my HD. However, today I moved my entire Logic folder to a 1TB internal drive where it's the ONLY files on that drive (to try and increase the scratch disk space). But I'm still getting that weird meter behavior.

I've tried changing the I/O buffer size, but that doesn't seem to help either.

I've worked on projects where I've had dozens of tracks running at the same time, while recording, and while running several plugins.

I recently re-installed my system (don't ask), so I'm wondering if there's just some simple setting that's different. Or I need to tweak.

Thanks in advance!

e

3.2GHz 8-Core MacPro, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 22G RAM

Posted on Feb 11, 2010 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 11, 2010 7:13 AM in response to Ed State

I'm running 64bit by the way. And I've checked Activity Monitor and Logic is only using around 20% CPU at most, 17 threads, and 225 Real Memory.

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Answer 2

kennymix

Level 1

5 points

Feb 11, 2010 7:22 AM in response to Ed State

Hi Ed

I was just about to post pretty much the same problem

I'm trying to work on a project & i have only 14 tracks 7 of which are audio tracks 6 with loops on there & one audio with a filter on there for bussing tracks too

I've hardly got any plugins going yet i am just putting the basics together

My problem is intermittent but very very annoying when i'm trying to get on with it

When it happens the top CPU meter goes right over into the red the other hardly registers

I Am also running the 64 bit i have tried it on the 32 bit but getting same problem

Need to struggle on as this is for an interview tomorrow

Thanks

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Answer 3

cigame2

Level 3

548 points

Feb 11, 2010 11:40 AM in response to Ed State

Try 9.1
9.0.2 had a bug in the HD metering.

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Answer 4

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 11, 2010 11:52 AM in response to cigame2

I should have mentioned that I am up to date w/ Logic: 9.1.0.

Hmmm.... so strange.

I would say about 9-out-of-10 times I get through my recording. But that 10th time it shuts down, and I get the "Disk Too Slow" error.

I also get some weird graphical glitching in the waveform sometimes too. It's all "blocky" and blinky.

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Answer 5

cigame2

Level 3

548 points

Feb 11, 2010 11:57 AM in response to Ed State

Check your Audio preferences.
Did you chose different audio sources for input and output?
What is your audio interface?

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Answer 6

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 11, 2010 11:59 AM in response to cigame2

I'm using an Edirol FA66 FireWire interface, which I've never had problems with.

But I am using that as an INPUT, and "Built In Output" as my OUTPUT (headphones). Why would that be the problem?

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Answer 7

cigame2

Level 3

548 points

Feb 11, 2010 12:04 PM in response to Ed State

Don't know why this is a problem, but I know that it is behaving the way you are describing.
Does it work normal if you chose EDIROL for output? (Does it also have a phone output?)

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Answer 8

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Feb 11, 2010 12:15 PM in response to Ed State

Ed State wrote:
I'm using an Edirol FA66 FireWire interface, which I've never had problems with.

But I am using that as an INPUT, and "Built In Output" as my OUTPUT (headphones). Why would that be the problem?

Doesn't the Edirol have a headphone output. I can't understand using the $2 built-in audio chip for reference when you have a much better sounding output device in the Edirol, is it just for convenience?

pancenter-

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Answer 9

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 11, 2010 12:19 PM in response to Pancenter

Yes. Totally convenience.

I have earphones permanently attached to my computer, so I can listen to stuff without annoying my wife 😉 ...So when I realized I could just keep using these headphones, instead of taking them out, putting an adapter on them, and plugging them into the Edirol, I decided to just use them the way they're currently configured.

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Answer 10

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Feb 11, 2010 12:29 PM in response to Ed State

Does using the Edirol as the output device affect the disk too slow messages?

pancenter-

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Answer 11

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 12, 2010 6:03 PM in response to Pancenter

Well, I gave it a whole day... and it seems to be a lot better monitoring through the Edirol.

*****. But I guess I can make the sacrifice, if it means my audio will be consistent. Although, you'd THINK my computer has enough power to input through one device, and then output through the soundcard 😟

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Answer 12

samplaire

Level 2

184 points

Feb 12, 2010 6:27 PM in response to Ed State

Instead of complaining you should be grateful that now you can monitor your mixes in better quality 😉 22GB of RAM, very fast computer and the builtin output... No offence, but that makes no sense 🙂 Why to have one of the most advanced computers, one of the most advanced audio software to sum everything with a builtin output? It's like you had a HD camera attached to a CRT TV set...

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Answer 13

Ed State Author

Level 2

451 points

Feb 13, 2010 6:39 AM in response to samplaire

As I said before, it was merely a convenience. I was merely monitoring the input, and making simple edits. Something I don't need "better quality" for.

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Answer 14

spheric

Level 3

699 points

Feb 13, 2010 6:45 AM in response to Ed State

If you like the convenience of keeping headphones attached, why aren't you keeping them attached to the Edirol?

Since you can easily route all iTunes, video, etc. audio to the interface, that works out to exactly the same, and you have better quality, to boot!

Message was edited by: spheric

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