Virus TI problem - clicks when automating (Cubase6/Vista64)

[twolegstoneworks]

Got a Virus TI Polar and using it with a Windows Vista 64 system and a M-Audio Firewire 410 audiodevice. I've got the Virus connected via USB - not using it as an audio-interface. I've installed the latest installer for 64 bit Windows, and I've updated to the latest Virus OS 4.5.3.0.0. I'm using Cubase 6.5.2 32-bit and using the Virus Control as a VSTi. There's no audible clicks or pops in the sound whatsoever when just playing patches on the Virus Control, but when I start automating the filter cutoff I get noisy clicks, almost like vinyl crackles in the sound. It's not part of the patch at all.

I thought I had it nailed because the crackles wasn't audible when I tested Virus Control in Renoise 2.8 64-bit version, so I figured it was because I was using a 32-bit Cubase on a 64-bit OS. But last night I discovered that the problem also appeared in Renoise, so I decided to submit a support-request to Access Music. They've replied very fast (incredibly fast actually), and I've got a few more things to check, but I would really like to hear if anyone has had any similar issues, and what you've done to fix it?

For the record, I've tested various setups, including increasing the buffer on my Firewire 410, choosing the Virus as audio-interface with highest possible buffer-setting and unplugging all other USB devices but the Virus. All with no luck.

Running the Virus "standalone" doesn't produce the problem.

Here's an example of the crackled sound: http://www.sendspace.com/file/6bmlxj
It's just a minor chord with automation of the filter opening and closing.

I just love those deep lush dubby sounds

[twolegstoneworks]

Arr.. just noticed I posted this in the Host thread instead of the Hardware thread. MODS please move this to the hardware thread! Thanks!

[Muziksculp]

I think Cubase 6 officially does not support Vista, I would recommend moving forward to Windows 7.

[twolegstoneworks]

I think Cubase 6 officially does not support Vista, I would recommend moving forward to Windows 7.

Yes, I know. That's why I also should have posted this in the hardware section instead of here. It's most likely an issue with the Virus TI driver for Vista, as the same problem occurs in Renoise.

[pedx1ng]

I sold my Virus but I experienced the same thing, using Windows 7* and Ableton Live 8. One thing I've learned from their support forums is that the Virus is incredibly finicky and picky with regards to what USB port it is on. Ideally you want to give it a direct USB port and not on a shared hub. (Note that sometimes when PCs have USB ports on the front, those ports are actually on an internal hub. Not all are like that, it varies by model).

In the end I found this issue coupled with the latency of the plug-in too annoying so I ended up using it stand-alone**. I only used the plug-in for some patch editing (custom arp patterns) and patch management.

Sorry, wish I could offer more concrete advice. I recommend reading their support forum for the threads on this issue.

* I don't think this issue is Windows only, from what I recall there were plenty of Mac guys having issues as well.

** If you decide to go the stand-alone route, there is a nice plug-in a user on the Virus forums named "Ace" (if I remember correctly) made that helps make it more convenient. With his plug-in you can dump patches to it so that you can store patches with your project and automatically re-send them to the Virus when you load it again later. He's added some support for automating parameters as well, though I didn't use that aspect; I simply used MIDI CC envelopes in Live for that sort of thing.

[Timerider]

Ummmm, hard to say, but I'm glad I side stepped Vista. From XP I went to Windows 7, 64 bit and fortunately I have no trouble with my TI Desktop using Cubase 6 thankfully. It's gonna be one of those process of elimination things.

W.

[twolegstoneworks]

I got the problem fixed. I bought a USB3 PCI card (for a USB3 external drive) and plugged the Virus into that. Works flawless now