Error when trying to open audio device!

[squirmish]

I've sent this query to T Support too, but because of the time of year a response might take a while. Maybe someone here has experienced and resolved this issue.

For a long time (years maybe), anytime I try to use WF on my laptop away from the studio - to just listen to - I get the above error when I go to Settings/Audio Devices and select any of the options in 'Audio device type:' or 'Device:'.

Restarting WF or the laptop doesn't help. Nothing else using audio.

Anyone had this?

[Peter Widdicombe]

What device do you NORMALLY use, that is erring when you start waveform without it ? I normally use ASIO, but find it gracefully allows me to choose a different device when it's not present.

[squirmish]

Ah, thanks Peter - some deets! When I start waveform - depending on whether I've got my 18i20 switched on or not - I get an immediate notification of either ASIO4ALL or Focusrite USB, before Waveform has completely booted up. In the 'Audio device type' field is ASIO. 'Device' field says 'none'. If I select ASIO4ALL V2 in the 'Device' field I get the system tray ASIO4ALL notification again then the error message. If I select either Windows audio, windows audio exclusive, windows audio low latency mode or DirectSound in the device type field, same result.

However, if I select ASIO then Realtek ASIO there is no error message, and inputs and outputs are preloaded. Looks good but the sample rate can't be changed from 0 Hz and buffer size is fixed at '1024 samples (21.3 ms)'. No audio is output, no metering action when playing. Track outputs are set to 'default audio output' or 'Output 1 + 2', no solos or mutes. If I click on the 'Control Panel' button I can edit the buffer size, sample rate and some other DSD thing, but these don't populate into the fields in the Audio Devices page.

I restart the computer with the 18i20 connected and powered up. ASIO in the 'Audio device type' field, select Focusrite USB ASIO in 'Device' field, everything works (unsurprisingly). Now though, I can select DirectSound instead of ASIO in 'Audio device type', and this works (I didn't try this initially, being somewhat ASIO fixated).

Close Waveform, restart computer with the 18i20 disconnected. This time it's booted with DirectSound as above, and it works (though the quality's pretty bad until I push the buffer way out to 120 ms).

Huh? Did I clear a pathway? There will be some logic to it, but all I can see right now is that this setup won't work if 'Audio device type: ASIO' is selected without an ASIO device connected (I also run a UCA222 for live). And that looks a lot like your comment.

Thanks for prompting me to investigate further Peter!

[Peter Widdicombe]

Ah, that may be a difference. I use the generic ASIO4ALL rather than a specific manufacturer, and a UCA222 or UFO202 works just fine with that. Not sure if there will be limitations using it instead of the Focusrite version; but vendor-specific may have specific hooks to allow additional functionality with an 18i20 attached.

... and a quick Google search indicates Asio4All may improve SOME things with Windows, but may cause other glitches or latency issues. It you had a second machine, might want to try it there first; or be prepared to set up the Focusrite version again if you have issues.