Stereo Tool

CPU load is close to the edge - try reducing the Quality slider a bit (say to 80%, under Configuration -> CPU & Latency).

If that helps, you could experiment with other things (for example, Strictness at 15 could be set a bit lower without too much bad effects).

Also, try the latest version. I made some small changes that might help a bit with performance.

Hans and Bojcha, again thanks for your replies and suggestions.

The IT guys at the station have built me a rackmount PC with an i3 3200 CPU in it to do my tests of ST. It has an M-Audio Audiophile 192 card in it, Windows 7 Pro 32x and 4 Gig of RAM. I will load the software on to it sometime today and do some testing with it. If the i3 has issues we have an i7 3770 we can swap into it.
If I will be running in a 44.1 analogue audio signal should it still be on 48kHz? I can get a 48kHz audio feed from the Axia fibre to 48kHz analogue if that is better. I had ST set at 176.4kHz as my input was 44.1, I also tried having it on 44.1 the same as the input and both seemed to yield the same result into MPXTool.
That is the way I am planning we would use it as a standalone unit. I only used NexGen on the same machine so I could be self-contained for my testing without interferring with the networked music database and their "spin" reports etc.

I'll let you know how the i3 setup work when I have finished some tests.

Thanks, as always, for your advice and recommendations.

Clipper

Here are the results from the i3.



Same settings as the previous shot but running on all processors.

Windows 7 32x, 4 Gig RAM, i3 3.3 GHz, M-Audio 192 Card (Modified I/O caps).

The i7 3770 might be a better choice?

Thanks,
Clipper

Why? Are you still having buffer issues?

Based on the CPU loads I would say it's ok... (Of course an i7 will be faster, but if latency is not an issue this should be good).

Hans,
No, but as my CPU usage was 38-39% with the Q9650 and you though: I thought that this one at 36% may be the same.
I ended up getting the i7 3770 and we'll put it in the machine tomorrow and that should make a good machine for it to run on without any problems.

I got approval to buy the software (€ 199) and just went to buy a license and saw it is now € 349. I need to get approval for the extra € 150 before I can purchase.

Thanks for all your help and congratulations on a great release.

Clipper

Also I will buy a new computer for the radio station. Saw this refurbished pizza like server: Dell PowerEdge 2950, 2U Rackserver. 3.00GHz / Quad Core / FSB 1333MHz / Cache 2x6MB / TDP 80W / 64-bit Xeon E5450, memory 2 x 2GB Dual Rank (2R) PC2-5300F DDR2-667 ECC. Harddisk isn't important, 80 GB is already enough. OS: Windows Server 2003. If I have seen this right, there can be a full size soundcard in (no SFF difficulties). EUR. 384,60 incl. tax.
ST Will work on that?

It should if everything is tuned right.

I am still confused about the Buffer settings and would like to ask if someone could please clarify for me the following settings:

1. Configuration -> CPU & Latency -> Latency 4096 samples

2. Configuration -> Sound Cards -> Input -> Input Buffer Size

3. Configuration -> Sound Cards -> Normal Output -> Buffer Size

4. Configuration -> Sound Cards -> FM Output -> Buffer Size

Do these settings interact with each other? I am guessing they do in that they are additive to the latency from Input to Output.

If a buffer for a particular output is exhausting and I get stutter until it refills is that caused by not enough buffer on that Output, or on the Input?

Thanks for your assistance.

Clipper