I’m not initiated in the mysteries of Windows audio drivers, but I’d recommend going back to the simplest, most basic, default configuration, and build from there.
If everything except Dorico is working, then trash/reset Dorico’s preferences and see how a default, factory config installation behaves. Remove all other VSTs, if necessary, and then add, and test, one by one.
Is the problem identical when running Dorico Pro 4?
Using LatencyMon can help you discern if the issue causing the latency is a malfunctioning device driver or hardware, compared to a software issue. If LatencyMon reports the latency is unsuitable (you have to leave it running for several minutes to be sure) then there is probably some hardware fault, BIOS setting, bad device driver or very low level system service that is interfering. If it shows everything is fine, on the other hand, then it is likely just a performance issue. Right now you’re just guessing where the problem might be and trying some random (but good) things.
I made a sample video on my iPhone. That file type was not allowed, so I converted it to mp4, but now it’s too big to upload. All it shows is audio dropout 1 out of 3 bars. Not sure that would help.
Speaking of the laptop sound you mention.
When I had Dorico and NP on the gaming laptop, the speakers were facing down on the table. I actually had to lift up the front to get good sound. Weird design perhaps, but I suppose gaming sounds are secondary.
Good point, but the laptop was loud until these issues started.
FYI, no games installed: just Dorico, Cakewalk, VSL, NotePerformer, and MS Office.
According to this guy, they were introduced with the Intel 486DX4 chip so have been around 30 years and pre-date Pentium chips. Lots of audio workstation guides recommend disabling them like this one from Steinberg.
@fratveno, I only have 5, so I don’t know.
@Andro , You’re very helpful. Thank you. About Generic Low-Latency ASIO: totally fine, but I’m using FlexASIO because this forum advised it, so I’m a bit confused. At this point, I’ll try anything as long as I can back out the changes.
I think we’re all in the dark until we can isolate what changed between OK and not OK. Something must have changed.
At the risk of stating the obvious, when you were checking all of your Output devices to confirm the sample rates, you did look directly beneath that setting and check the volume too, right?
In System / Sound, scroll down to Advanced and click Volume Mixer. Is everything at 100? Or are some sounds turned down?
It’s also worth pointing out that you can control doricos default output level I preferences, so perhaps that was changed. Or perhaps the master output bus is not all the way up.
Good point! The slider in Preferences is also easy to accidentally adjust if your mouse hovers over it while you are using the scroll wheel to navigate.
I have more than once changed the sliders in Dorico’s equalizer just trying to slide it left or right.
Not sure what other possible pitfalls are out there, but sometimes just one errant move can change something.
One other option I just thought of. My windows setup sends copies of files to the recycle bin.
You will lose work, but you could also possibly reverse the problem.
Windows still has System Restore also. You can revert your system to an earlier time. Since you said it was working before it may work again once you do that.
Has a Windows Update broken something?
Have you checked this, re drivers and firmware?
If you haven’t already, try if the High-Performance energy plan helps.
Here’s how to set it.
Try this:
Reset the audio engine.
Try with ASIO Guard on and off:
If none of this works, COMPLETELY uninstall Dorico and Note Performer, totally. People here will tell you how to achieve that I am sure. You have to blast all the user data in the AppData area as well.
Cakewalk bothers me a little in this scenario. I’d pull that out also for the sake of troubleshooting.
If THAT fails, I’d be at the point where I would reinstall Windows 11 from scratch - after all, this is becoming a topic of rather long length and not advancing anywhere.
