I have VST Live set to preload songs when I open my project, however on songs that have multiple parts there is static when I first play a song with multiple parts right at the moment the song moves from one part to the next. If I start the song over it seems all parts are now loaded and no static occurs. If I close the project and re-open it the same thing happens again. There is a fader change between parts for the keyboard input (which is a Stack input). To get around the issue, I removed the parts and used an automation track to control the fader for the keyboard. However, the issue of static between parts is still an issue for other songs with parts that require multiple parts for other reasons (such as Part Triggers required for looping, etc.),
If the problem disappears after playing once, does it also disappear when you apply “File/Preload”? If so, you can activate “Always Preload” as a workaround.
To know what could cause such static, we’d have to know more about your project, and which plugins are active during the transition.
Thanks for you response. I’ve tried both methods you suggested. The issue is still there. There is no change between parts as far as plugins or instruments. The only change is a fader adjustment. (BTW, I get the same issue when parts change with no changes at all). If I use an automation track to adjust the fader and remove the additional parts all is good. However, this doesn’t fix the issue where parts are required for other reasons.
I’ve attached a few screenshots as well as the system details VST is running on. The audio interface is a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Generation) Firmware version 1644
Plugins used on Stacks:
The Limiter and Studio EQ is Steinbergs
The C6 is a multiband Compressor/EQ from Waves
The LA-2A is from UAD
There are 7 audio tracks
Layers are not using any plugins it, is used only to control the Keyboard program.
I have a similar issue. The first time I play a Layer after booting up I always get a short CPU spike. If I then replay the song I have no issues despite preloading the project.
Good evening! What do you mean by static? Does it click?
What buffer does the audio card have? Try increasing it, don’t forget that UAD plugins add a delay, and you frankly have a very weak and already morally outdated processor, of course, if I understood correctly what (static) is in your understanding
If you mean morally outdated processor because it doesn’t support current security standards, that is an issue I deal with by not using my system on morally questionable websites. As far as being a very weak processor goes, it more than meets VST Live system requirements. If this is not the case let me know, and I will look at other options or go back to using Cantabile. I use this same system for Cubase Pro 14 running over 40 to 50 tracks of midi and audio with multiple plugins with no issues.
Now back to the issue at hand; I setup a test song on separate setlist with no audio files, just the keyboard using 1 stack and 1 layer and removed the UAD plugin. I still get a audible noise (sometimes static and sometimes an unexpected change in sound level) when going from one part to another. Again, this only happens when VST is first loaded and the first time playing a song with more than 1 part. I can stop the song and start over again and everything runs smooth. It is almost like the system is not preloading properly the first time. The buffer size is 128. I changed the buffer size to 256 and still have the same problem.
Cubase has an ASIO-Guard, so you can run many tracks, I myself had an i7 960 until January and I experienced approximately the same problems until I updated my computer to an AMD R 5 5600 with 6 cores and I think this is only, only, I just shared my experience nothing more
Unfortunately “ASIO guard” puts extra buffer into the signal chain to “guard”, so that wouldn’t do a lot for low-latency “LIVE performance” usage.
I meant Cubase where the author referred to the fact that he has no problems with it, naturally in VST Live it is better to use ASIO audio interface
I should add, this was not an issue for me in earlier versions of VST 2.2.33 (for example). Somewhere along the way something seems to have changed in VST.
Do you have multiprocessing enabled now? Have you tried turning it off?
It was turned off. I just tried it turned on and still have the issue.
I tried removing the stack from the song and added a layer using a VST instrument, there was no noise or static when the song switched between parts. So, then I removed the layer and added a stack back using just the keyboard and the noise returned when the song switched between parts. The issue is definitely with Stack instruments.
Hi! Do you think you can create an example project that has a single song that can reproduce this problem? Maybe developers can identify with the problem you experiencing.
Hi, I know this won’t help, but I have the same problem in a song and haven’t figured out what the problem is.
If I find out, I’ll get back to you.
BR
kyru
What do you mean by that?
Just to make sure…Stacks are fed by audio inputs, what do you mean by “instruments”?
A complete project would certainly help (use “Save Archive”).
Here is a test project, I added an audio file to the project. The noise seems to be more prevalent that way. Make sure you are playing the keyboard during the part change. This project has 1 layer that controls the keyboard. It is used to set the keyboard to local control off and set the piano sound. (parameters may be different depending on the keyboard you use). I’m using a Yamaha P-115. The stack is attached to the keyboard analog/audio outputs via my audio interface (Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen).
The noise/static/click happens right at the moment the part switches and only happens on first time through the song. To get it to happen again, you have to reload the project. Let me know if you need anything else.
Test Project.zip (3.1 MB)
Thanks for the project. Cannot reproduce, although it is a tough call to test multiple times and restart each time (set up debugger etc) so there is a limit to that.
Also no instruments are assigned to the Layers so added some Halion Sonic (are there 2 different Instruments (presets) for the Layers?), and played while switching.
Don’t know if we asked already…if the problem only appears the first time after loading, will the crackles also appear after you applied “File/Preload”?
This is from my original post (see screenshots below). No VST instrument is setup in this configuration.
The problem only appears after first time loading. Crackles do appear after applying “File/Preload”.
Stack is setup like this:
Layer is setup like this: Layer is used only to control the P-115 local control and instrument sound.
We can somehow reproduce this, but need to investigate further.
How did you set Preferences/Stacks/Input fade in/out, maybe that helps?