Pops, clicks and dropouts are often signs of a buffer size or sample rate issue.
I. BUFFER SIZE ADJUSTMENT
There are generally two buffer settings within a computer audio system:
- The buffer setting in your audio interface (i.e. the V-STUDIO 20) adjusts the INTERFACE's access to the computer's RAM (buffer).
- The buffer setting in your recording software (e.g. Guitar Tracks, Pro Tools, Logic, etc) adjusts the SOFTWARE's access to the computer's RAM.
These two buffer settings are independent of each other; however, each affect the performance of your computer audio system.
Be sure to check the Audio Buffer Size setting within the V-STUDIO 20 Control Panel if there are noise issues and/or dropouts. Increase the buffer size until the problem goes away. The following procedure will guide you through these steps:
Windows
- Select "Control Panel" from Windows' Start menu.
- Double-click on the VS-20 icon to open the VS-20 driver settings window.
- In the VS-20 driver settings window, increase the Audio Buffer Size towards Max and then click "Apply".
Mac OS X
- Click on the Apple icon on the top left of the screen.
- Select on "System Preferences".
- Towards the bottom of the System Preferences window, double-click on the VS-20 icon to open the VS-20 driver settings window.
- In the VS-20 driver settings window, increase the Audio Buffer Size towards Max and then click "Apply".
If the noise and/or dropouts continue, adjust the buffer setting within your software.
Note: As each manufacturer's software differs from version to version, please refer to the software's current manual or online help for the proper buffer size adjustment procedures.
II. SAMPLE RATE MATCHING
Be sure that the sample rate of the audio file that is being playing is identical to the sample rate setting of the audio software that you are using (e.g. Sonar, Logic, Pro Tools, etc). Sample rate mismatches can result is playback being faster or slower or can cause clicks and pops.