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Level 1

5 points

slow disk audio

SYSTEM:

I'm on an 8-core 2.8GHz Intel Xeon with 10 GB RAM, 10.6.8 using Logic 9.1.7. in 64-bit. I keep my Logic files on a separate WD 1TB drive that is only 50% capacity.

ISSUE:

I am getting a "Disk is too slow or System Overload" error when I add audio to my session. In this last session I had only 14 stereo files, no plug-ins - audio only. And there seems to be no rhyme or reason in regards to the I/O LED being low or spiking and stopping the file from playing. I know it can't be a Sudden Motion Sensor because 1) aren't those only on lap tops? and 2) my computer is perfectly still and I get this error whether my file is playing on any one of my other 3 internal HDDs.

I've been reading similar discussions all over this board and there doesn't seem to a be a solution that's worked. I've fussed with the audio settings, changing my buffer range from medium to large, my buffer size is always at 1024 when mixing, Track/Mute is at SLOW RESPONSE, and Sample Accurate Information changed to OFF. I've even moved my session to a different internal HDD and the same thing occurs. I've repaired permissions, run Disk Warrior and TechTools Pro 6 and AppleJack, deleted preferences, blah blah blah.

I'm starting to think that there is no solution to this problem and that Logic and/or this computer is buggy or maybe this is totally normal and I'm expecting too much from this computer. Any idea what might be going on and if there is a fix to this (other than switching to Nuendo on Windows)?

Logic Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 20, 2012 7:15 PM

24 replies

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Jul 23, 2012 12:35 AM in response to armenjc

Wow, Kudos to you for going the extra mile trying to troubleshoot the problem, please let us know what the verdict is.

armenjc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 25, 2012 11:32 AM in response to Pancenter

Pancenter, thanks. I wanted to be thorough in my troubleshooting. Melrose Mac ran an AST test, zapped the PRAM and found no hardware problems. They went into my file and were able to run the Logic file with no problem. So I'm stumped. I have no idea what to do next. This is extremely frustrating.

Here's a short video of the problem in action:

http://youtu.be/ttx0hy3Kbi4

You can hear just before the crash that the audio echoes the previous 1.5 seconds of music.

If anybody else has any advice, I'd appreciate it.

Jul 25, 2012 12:12 PM in response to armenjc

I did not get to read this entire thread but did you try moving the project from that drive and deleting it from the old drive and try running from the new location/drive?

I recall having an issue like this and it was that data for that project was in a bad sector on the drive and i had to clone the drive and reformat it.

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Jul 25, 2012 12:22 PM in response to armenjc

Just looked at the video and agree with Allen, it looks like there's some kind problem pulling data off the drive, when they tested it at Melrose Mac did they copy all of the files to a different drive? As in copy it to one of the store Macs?

armenjc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 25, 2012 4:13 PM in response to Allan Doyle2

Allan,

Yes I tried that as well. Didn't work.

armenjc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 25, 2012 4:13 PM in response to armenjc

Pan, I had already tried that at home. I just dragged the files into GarageBand and although I was getting high spiking I/Os readings, I was able to play the file 10 times in a row without it crashing.

At Melrose Mac, apparently they just opened the file and played it - no crash. I don't know how many times they ran it because on my system it will crash 7 of 10 times. I'm still trying to get in touch w/the technician that tried this part of the diagnosis.

Jul 25, 2012 4:59 PM in response to armenjc

Did you try removing the HD after you copied the project to another drive. I cant get it out of my head that something must be wrong with that HD. maybe you have your templates which you started the project with, stored on that drive and logic continue to read that drive. Just try it if you have not already done so.

armenjc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 25, 2012 5:14 PM in response to Allan Doyle2

Allan,

Thank you. A friend of mine just suggested the same thing - removing the other HDDs that are not involved. So I copied the Logic file over to my system drive and pulled out my other 3 HDDs. The file ran with a very low Disk I/O reading and worked. So now I'm adding the drives into my bays one by one to try and narrow this down to the issue. Stand by for results.

jur12

Level 1

4 points

Mar 14, 2013 3:05 AM in response to armenjc

Hello, I'm jumping on this discussion at a very late stage - did you ever resolve the issue? I found it as I am havin similar problems with 'Disk I/O' always peaking on a new, uncluttered MacBook Pro - no matter what size project - using different sound cards, high buffer and low etc. etc.

I am experiencing the echoing too - in Logic AND Mainstage (it freezes then all audio is ehcoey).

My internal system hard drive is what I'm using at the moment, it is partitioned with Boot Camp on it though. I am wondering if Moutanin Lion 10.8.2 has anything to do with it, I've been reading that there are lot of audio issues with it....

Please let me know if you did resolve this. Thanks.

slow disk audio