So,
I’m trying to get work done, but after every few seconds, Dorico’s Playback suddenly distorts and clips and sound laggy and disorted.
The only way for it to be fixed that I know of is to completely reset Dorico.
I can’t keep on resetting Dorico or else I won’t be able to get any work done. How do I fix this?
I am using Note Performer, by the way.
I tried resetting playback overrides, but it didn’t work.
Also, if I try to reselect NotePerformer, the sound just doesn’t play.
Also, if I try to reselect NotePerformer, the sound just doesn’t play.
Another thing, after I reset Dorico, I play back the document when it loads, and it playsback normally.
I input notes, then I play Back, and the playback is screwed up.
This does not only affect NotePerformer but also HALlion, since I tried switching, and got the same distorted playback. I really need to get work done, and this is not helping at all. I’ve tried everything that comes to mind (resetting my computer, reinstalling noteperformer, etc) and now I am at my wits end.
Here is the Diagnistics File I made, if it works.
Dorico Diagnostics.zip (688 KB)
A suggestion: If you include your system setup including OS and any apps that may have an effect, it might give someone a clue as to how we can help.
The easiest way to do this is to edit your Signature. True, there is a 1000 character limit but, as you can see by mine, you can get in a lot of information.
From your title and descriptions so far, I have no idea if this is a Windows 10 issue or something to do with windows in Dorico.
System Setup: Windows 10.
Apps that Run in the Background: Spotify, Microsoft Edge and Brave. Microsoft edge is my PDF-viewer, and that’s what I use it for, so I can keep pdfs of my “melody line” and “Part Arrangements” of pieces I am working on. I do not use it for internet.
Brave: I have Youtube Videos, Gmail, Facebook, Google Docs etc. on the side-line for when I decide I need leisure time.
Spotify: Usually just runs because it opens on start up and I keep it there.
Other apps that run would be sticky notes, and sometimes file-explorer.
Before the update today, I was able to use Dorico Just fine with all of that in the side. I use a gaming laptop, so my computer is used to handling all the performance-demanding tasks.
I still do not have 3.5, but the version right before it. I intend to upgrade soon.
Problem: When I am working on a project, for the first playthrough or 2, everything works fine, and sounds normal. However, when I try to input notes, the playback pitch is always “distorted” and sounds like a delayed slow-motion machine gun if that makes sense. When I try to play everything back, it plays back distorted and slowly (imagine hearing static that tries to sound like your project), which gives me a headache. Dorico is the only thing affected. I am still able to watch youtube videos and go on spotify even when Dorico’s playback is extremely distorted.
When it started: Today, Windows told me there was a new major update to the system, which I installed (when my computer’s behind on updates, then its usb ports start malfunctioning for some reason). After I tried using Dorico, it prompted me to reenter an activation key, but after repairing the E-Lisencer, Dorico worked fine, except for the playback issue.
It was recommended while using NotePerformer to switch the Dorico Mixer Inserts to Maximizer at 40 Modern Style to make it sound better, instead of compressor, which was designed for a single instrument. I did that, but the document where the problems started was still on Compressor. Switching it to Maximizer did not solve the problem.
The Update is the May 2020 Update or “2004” Version, not the November 2019 version.
What I have tried:
(1) Restarting Dorico - That does not work
(2) Repairing my computer’s Audio Drive - That did not work, and often causes zilch playback at Dorico
(3) Reinstalling NotePerformer - Did not work
(4) Switching from NotePerformer to HALlion - Did not work, and I got the same distorted sound.
(5) Restarting my computer - Did not work
(6) Messing with Buffer speeds in Device Set up - Did not work
(7) Trying the AISO4all driver recommended in a previous post (a forum I posted about Dorico Cutting out randomly on my old laptop) - Did not work, and only made playback impossible so I uninstalled it.
(8) Resetting NotePerformer’s mixers and channels in Dorico - That also did not work
(9) Checking every mixer to see if anything looked out-of-whack - Everything looked normal
I have tried absolutely everything that comes to mind except buy an External Audio Interphase which Mr. Daniel Spreadbury recommended in an earlier forum post about Dorico’s playback cutting out on my old laptop. I want to avoid going that route, because I still have to upgrade to Dorico 3.5, and Audio Interphases cost a lot of money.
Try uninstalling the new windows update. Wait until they have the bugs worked out before using this update.
Unfortunately, I can not because my computer’s other functions will start screwing up making it an impossible machine to do work on.
Hi Elwin, looks like something is badly hacking into Dorico’s audio engine. Will become a bit difficult to figure out what exactly. So if you really need to get work done, then probably it is a good idea to roll back the update.
If you rather want to stick to the update, then we need to do some timely analysis. For that, please check if on your system the Windows Performance Recorder is installed. I don’t know if it is preinstalled on every Windows edition, on mine it is.
If you have it, then run the recorder in parallel to Dorico. Press the ‘Start’ button in the Performance Recorder and then bring Dorico to make that distorted sound. Then stop the recording and save to disc. The data becomes pretty big and you won’t be able to attach it here. Please use a file sharing service like for example DropBox instead and post a link to it here.
There are several known problems with audio and video which Microsoft is still working on. There may be more issues that they haven’t found yet, of course. See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-2004
I don’t understand why “your computers other functions will start screwing up” if you install this update, but | guess you have two options: don’t use Dorico, or don’t use those other functions.
Personally, I never install these major updates until they have been available for several months. There’s no value in becoming a Microsoft beta tester if you just want a PC that works!
Thank you @Ulf, My plan is after I’m done typing this post, I will do what you said, then get you the file before rolling back the update until you all get the timely analysis finished. I have checked, and I do not have Windows Performance Recorder, but I do have Windows Steps, which after doing some research, I found out does what you need it to do, in the mean time, I have downloaded Windows Performance Recorder and have installed it.
@Rob Tuley, Thank you for letting me know about the issues with Windows 2004. Right now, it seems best to stick with rolling back for now, and hope that other functions on my computer (mainly my USB drivers) don’t mess up
Thanks Elwin, I’m now downloading. Tomorrow I’ll ask our specialist to analyse the data. Please be a bit patient.
Thank you Ulf.
I rolled back the update and am back to 1909, and so far, there are no issues.
I’ve had previous hassles not just with MS update, but my computer maker’s update. Though I do use a gaming laptop, and gamers must like modified soundscapes it seems.
Hi Elwin, I had a look myself at the recorded data, but could not find anything obvious. I need to wait for my specialist to come back from vacation on Monday. Please stay tuned.
I had to revert mine as well. The update appears to have serious problems with the sound drivers although it is unclear why.
Did you reinstall the audio interface driver? In the past, I’ve had to reinstall the driver as well as reinstall the eLicenser software after a major Windows update.
@Craig F
Would you let me know what you mean by that? Did you mean the Audio Interface Driver in Dorico? Or on Windows?
How would you do that?
I’ve also never had to reinstall audio drivers (hence why I don’t know how to do that) in the past. This is the first time.