Ableton Forum

Hi
I recently spent atotal of about 4000.00 in an attempt to get a high quality Dell computer and a good outboard interface . I did this so I can go out and tear it up "LIVE". I am an improv musician that has been using a Dell desktop computer and the same registered version of LIVE 5.2.2 with an
E-MU 1820m now for the last year. ZERO problems. I downloaded a copy of 5.2.2 and entered my serial number. Everything seems fine, but this M-Audio 1814 is a nightmare though. The sound card's software seems to be incompatible with LIVE and I have downloaded all their latest drivers. I have also reinstalled the M Audio software several times. It's recognized fine in LIVE and everything is set to ASIO. Do these things normally work good together? The damn M-Audio products come bundled with Ableton products. They certainly SHOULD be compatible. I originally purchased a MOTU Traveler and got scared off because all the blab about TI/Lucient chip set incompatability. I bought an M-Audio Axiom 49 as a midi controller especially for LIVE and the 1814 came with a LIVE lite early version. Please help me with this. I am using windows XP as an OS.

My
computer is an Inspiron e1505 with a 2.0 duel core, 2 gig of DDR2, 7200
sata & a Ricoh 1394 chip set. Everything seems to work fine audio wise, but
when I make ANY changes to the M-Audio 1814, LIVE's visual display
freezes or locks up even though it continues to function. I have to restart everything only to be faced with it all again shortly Frustrating to say the least.

Thanks For Your Help, I LOVE LIVE. I should be upgrading to
6.0 in a short while. Could my problem have anything to do with using my
serial number on a new download of LIVE 5.2.2? I understand that we are supposed to be able to use it on 2 computers, correct?

Thanks,
Jeff Davis

It's probably a 1814 problem. You should run it connected to a power supply and even better a power stabilizer, even cheap Trust models will do. The 1814 is very sensible to tension swings so that may be the cause.

abletoff wrote:It's probably a 1814 problem. You should run it connected to a power supply and even better a power stabilizer, even cheap Trust models will do. The 1814 is very sensible to tension swings so that may be the cause.

I am afraid I find the tension issue unacceptable. I HAVE to be able to adjust and route the 1814's mixer on the fly. To not be able to do so is a ridiculous handicap. One that I cannot find justification for.

Would this sensitive tension cause the Ableton display to freeze?

It's m-audio fault, not mine! try to borrow an appropriate psu and a stabilizer and see it if works, is fo then go buy them... this solved my 1814 problems.

abletoff wrote:It's m-audio fault, not mine! try to borrow an appropriate psu and a stabilizer and see it if works, is fo then go buy them... this solved my 1814 problems.

I am NOT using bus power. Everything is very stable with all other devices plugged into the same AC circuitry. I have to believe this is a software issue because of the resulting Ableton's display "freeze". I need helpful advise PLEASE.

Had a 1814 once.. Utter crap!!!
Glitches (non wanted..) and dropouts all the time + the fact that it constantly
lost its connection with my computer, and I had to turn it on/off or even reboot
to get it to work again.

Got a Presonus Firebox instead. Never had any trouble.. not once. Rock solid
piece of HW. Highly recommended

Rune

The most helpful advice is: ditch M-Audio. Buy Presonus or MOTU. It's the only way your nightmare will go away. Trust me, and many others. We've been there.

OK, understood. Now please let me ask you just a couple of questions. Are you using a PC or a Mac? I really like the presonus but before I go and lay down the coin, I want to make certain this is going to be a (PC!) load/plug n play ordeal. I have had it with these various manufactures blaming chip sets, IRQs and the moth men in the moon.

What say you men?

Thanks!
Jeff

I use my Firebox with Win XP sp2 on both desktop and laptop.
With 6 pin FW on the desktop and 4 pin FW on the laptop.
No problems what so ever. To be honest..so far it is the most reliable
firewire device I`ve had the pleasure of using.

Rune

rsagevik wrote:I use my Firebox with Win XP sp2 on both desktop and laptop.
With 6 pin FW on the desktop and 4 pin FW on the laptop.
No problems what so ever. To be honest..so far it is the most reliable
firewire device I`ve had the pleasure of using.

Rune

What kind of laptop/chip set do you use? I took your word and just purchased Firestudio an hour ago. Here's HOPING that it will work. I will report back tomorrow. I will say that I was very impressed with the Presonus phone support that I received today.

My laptop has got Intel 82855PM Chipset and VIA FireWire controller.
My desktops has the Intel G965 + ICH8 chipset with a built in
Texas Instruments FireWire controller. ..adn as stated both works great.

and btw I read this on the Presonus website

"..ATI RADEON 9000/9001 IGP video chipset. Symptoms are consistent clicks and pops during audio playback.
This video chipset is only found in PC laptops and is entirely integrated as the computer’s only video controller.
We strongly recommend that you do not get a system with this chipset, as there is currently no workaround for
this incompatibility.

USB/firewire and s400/s800 combo cards are not compatible. Symptoms are usually no audio recording/playback
but device will install and sync, erratic audio performance and rarely will not allow the device to install or sync.
We recommend a firewire card that ONLY has s400 firewire connections and preferably with a Texas Instruments or VIA chipset.

Firewire cards with NEC chipsets are not compatible. Symptoms are similar or the same as combo cards..."

Rune

MOTU Ultralite.
It costs a little more than the 1814, but is worlds better.