Ableton Live Audio Engine crashes

[Jahk]

Hey, this is my first post to the forum and any help would be amazing.
I've just bought a Lenovo z580 w/ Intel i5, 8gb RAM and 1gb Dedicated Nvida graphics.
Im also using Ableton Live 8.2.2 with additional vst plugins.

While halfway through a set the CPU will spike to around 400% whereas it normally doesn't exceed 45%.
Immediately after, the last second played before the spike will repeat over and over until I try to shutdown Live and i then get this message
Fatal error - Audio Engine not responding

I not sure what component is causing this error.
Is it Lenovo, Nvida, Ableton or one of the external plugins.

Also how do I fix it?

(I use NI Massive, FM8, Sylenth1, Nexus 2, Ozone 4&5, Sausage fattener and melodyne.
Thanks,
Jahk

[twisted-space]

First thing I'd do is upgrade to the latest version, there's been lots of bugs fixed since 8.2.2.

[golemus]

I would say that either plugins or audio interface drivers are the cause.

First make sure that you don't have DPC latency

http://www.thesycon.com/deu/latency_check.shtml

The 400% CPU spike could be caused by a dpc latency spike of a driver.

If you do see spikes with latency checker, disable all wireless devices (WLAN, bluetooth, etc..), and in addition ACPI battery, perhaps even Ethernet adapter until you don't see anymore spikes. After that make sure that your audio interface is connected to appropriate USB-slot (you can try different slots which seems to work best).

[Jahk]

Thanks for the replies, i'll update it asap.
Also I have no external audio interface would you recommend it?

I'll run a DPC latency check when I get in, but I'm using my Laptop solely for production and soon live use so it has no other processes (WLAN, Bluetooth even anti virus) running except for Ableton Live and it's plug-ins.

If I do have DPC latency, why do I have it and what would be a foolproof fix?

Again thanks for the replies,
Jahk

[kitekrazy]

Thanks for the replies, i'll update it asap.
Also I have no external audio interface would you recommend it?

I'll run a DPC latency check when I get in, but I'm using my Laptop solely for production and soon live use so it has no other processes (WLAN, Bluetooth even anti virus) running except for Ableton Live and it's plug-ins.

If I do have DPC latency, why do I have it and what would be a foolproof fix?

Again thanks for the replies,
Jahk

Yes. Onboard sound doesn't really cut it.

[Jahk]

I would say that either plugins or audio interface drivers are the cause.

First make sure that you don't have DPC latency

http://www.thesycon.com/deu/latency_check.shtml

The 400% CPU spike could be caused by a dpc latency spike of a driver.

If you do see spikes with latency checker, disable all wireless devices (WLAN, bluetooth, etc..), and in addition ACPI battery, perhaps even Ethernet adapter until you don't see anymore spikes. After that make sure that your audio interface is connected to appropriate USB-slot (you can try different slots which seems to work best).

I'm running Windows 8 so unfortuantly these tools dont work for my OS yet.
I think Sylenth1 is leaking into my project and crashing it, I spoke to Lennard and I'm waiting on a fix.

I think its also DPC latency; are there any fixes for this? (along the lines of a windows/ graphics card update; or would an external audio interface do the trick?

Ta,
Jahk

[Hermanus]

windows 8 is not a good idea for the moment ... just saying.

Another point:

Let's take my example as yours,

I've just purchased a new laptop. ASUS quadcore, killer machine for live acts.

BUT and this is a F###ing BUT! Like I have purchased it with win7 pre installed, it has a lot of crap onboard with the OS after a fresh install.

I can have good results in ableton but not fully efficient.
So I had to remove any tiny crappy apps that could pump some cpu usage for nothing.
What the heck do I need A so called ubber energy manager that has a super performance mode being totaly and purely equals to the default high performance mode in windows 7. [?]

After this big os washing, all was good to go.


SO we could easily imagine that your lenovo has win 8 pre installed.
If you got some win7 disc at hand, it would be very good to install this one.

As long as you keep the preinstall OS partition, no arm with warranty or any desire to go on with win8 after a while.

Just my two cents, you do as you want

[Jahk]

I know, I'd my fingers crossed it'd be fine.
Thanks man, that's great.
I'll downgrade to Win7, upgrade Ableton,
buy external audio, probably from Native Instruments
Then get rid of any bloatwear on both OS's and try get a patch for Sylenth1 and my graphics card.

Any tips or help on reducing crashes would be great.

Ta,
Jahk

[Ableton_David]

As noted by others in this thread, please update to Live 8.3.4, the latest stable version of Live 8.

As to crashes, please send in all crash reports and get in touch with support at http://ableton.com/support/contact

[pencilrocket]

It's APPLE

[Jahk]

Apple?
Thanks for the help, any other tips would be great if they like make sense.

[infernal.machine]

Apple?
Thanks for the help, any other tips would be great if they like make sense.

It's like APPLE!!!

[Jahk]

Apple?
Thanks for the help, any other tips would be great if they like make sense.

It's like APPLE!!!

Are you five?

[Jahk]

I've figured out it's Sylenth 1, if your having this problem odds are its one of your plug-ins.
Try making a really 'heavy' set with a lot of VSTs and see if you get an Audio crash.

If you do, try making a few really heavy sets with only one VST used multiple times.
If you get a crash then that VST is the one acting up.

Best of luck,
Jahk

Trying to find a fix for Sylenth1 @ viewtopic.php?f=1&t=187393
E-mail: J.Kavanaghb@gmail.com

[Donnie]

I think its also DPC latency; are there any fixes for this? (along the lines of a windows/ graphics card update; or would an external audio interface do the trick?

In response to this, if you are getting DPC latency many times turning off your wifi/bluetooth will help reduce this.