Working With Windows 7

[Deleted]

Hi every one interested in optimising Windows Seven for computer audio.

I've trawled the web a bit...................take more than a lifetime to do the rest.

Found this info..... hope some of you find it useful.
When I get more time I'll search out more.
Please add you tuppence worth every little helps in the fight against the resource hog.
Alan

[Deleted]

Okay here's the stuff.....

Optimising your PC for audio on Windows 7

General optimisation:

1. Set your computer's power for high performance
If your computer is set to conserve energy, the CPU may not be running at full speed all of the time. This can have a detrimental effect on your computer's audio performance. To set your computer's power for high performance:
Go to: Start......Control Panel.......Power Options
Choose "High Performance"
Click the "Change plan settings" button.

Make sure both power options are set to "Never"

2. Disable system sounds
System sounds can interrupt audio. Ensure that they are disabled by doing the following:
Go to control panel and select "Sound"
Go to the sounds tab
Under sounds scheme, select "No sounds"
Click "Apply" then, "OK"

3. Enable DMA (Direct memory access) on each IDE channel
This allows data to be transferred directly into the memory and can improve audio performance. To ensure that DMA is enabled:
Open device manager
Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers category then double click on each one of the IDE channels
Under the 'Advanced settings' tab,
make sure the 'Enable DMA' box is ticked in device properties
Please note: this only applies to some hardware and if this option is not available, you should not worry about completing this step.

4. Set processor scheduling to "Background services"
This will improve the performance of your audio drivers on your computer. To do this:
In control panel select "system"
Go to "Advanced system settings" and then the "Performance" tab
Set processor scheduling as "Background Services"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

5. Disable Windows Firewall, anti-virus and spyware software
These should all be disabled to ensure that no interferences occur during audio recording or playback and to ensure that maximum resources are available.
To remain secure while your firewall and antivirus disabled, it is advisable to temporarily disconnect from any internet connections when working with audio.






Advanced optimisation:

If you wish to optimise your system further, or you are using a system that is particularly lacking in resources you can follow the tips below for advanced optimisation.

Disable Visual effects
The visual features in Windows 7 can use resources that could otherwise help to improve audio performance. As a start, it is good idea to disable some of the visual features by doing the following:
Press start and in the search box type: "SystemPropertiesPerformance" and press enter
On the visual effects tab select "custom"
Untick: "Animate windows when minimising and maximising" to help prevent glitches when minimising and maximising. You can also experiment with disabling other visual effects in the custom list to see how they improve audio performance.
Once finished, press "OK"

If you wish to optimise your Windows 7 graphics for the best performance use the "Adjust for best performance". Although improving computer performance, this will make your Windows 7 appear a lot less aesthetically pleasing.

Disable Windows services
One way in which you can make more resources available to improve audio performance, is to disable unnecessary Windows 7 services as these use valuable resources. The following site has a comprehensive guide to the services running on Windows 7 and helps locate the services that are safe to disable:
Windows 7 Service Configurations by Black Viper

Before adjusting your service settings, ensure that your system has already installed all updates by "checking now" for any available updates via Windows Update. At this time, it is best for you to ensure that all services are set to the default values before updating your system.
Enter this URL in full
www.blackviper.com/2010/12/17/black-vipers-windows-7-service-pack-1-service-configurations/

[Deleted]

Now I've done most of that........just not got round to sorting out the services yet.

I'm a greedy bugger ..........got more on my plate than I can handle.
Alan

[Deleted]

Hi Alan

we have just started the very same conversation on another thread but giving 7 it's own slot seems like a much better way of doing things.

OK I'm off to switch the music PC on.

take care.

[Deleted]

Hi Alan

options 1 and 2 done so it's time to restart the computer and check all is well.

thanks and take care

[Deleted]

Hi Alan

OK the computer started just fine (did i mention that I'm pretty new to this sort of thing)

just to clarify

. Enable DMA (Direct memory access) on each IDE channel
This allows data to be transferred directly into the memory and can improve audio performance. To ensure that DMA is enabled:
Open device manager
Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers category then double click on each one of the IDE channels
Under the 'Advanced settings' tab,
make sure the 'Enable DMA' box is ticked in device properties
Please note: this only applies to some hardware and if this option is not available, you should not worry about completing this step.

i think this is for devices such as CD ROM - DVD and BR burners and so forth. if so I'll leave this and come back to it when i have one installed.

I'll wait on disabling the fire wall as the PC is not connected to the net yet. i will be using it for net duties in the future so i keep this in mind.

4) yes I've just done that background sevices thang and disabled visual effects but not had the chance to play with the rest of them but will do over the next day or so.

system services

I've disabled Windows media center and player as I'm using Foobar and a creative media player so have no need of them.

i also disabled the auto update function as i found it pretty annoying when you get the system working the way you want it ant it downloads a load more stuff you don't need.

so it was goodbye to that.

thanks for the tutorial Alan it's always nice to have the practical stuff and it really does help new to PC people like myself. I'm sure that if i can do it then anyone can so onwards and well onwards is fine for me.

I'll try some more surgery tomorrow and report back

Alan you are a star

top stuff

take care

[Deleted]

Interesting links:

www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer

And for the extremelly a*al:

www.lucashale.com/timer-resolution/

[Will]

Nice links Javier, thanks!

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2011 15:49:00 GMT @javier said:

Interesting links:

www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer

And for the extremelly a*al:

www.lucashale.com/timer-resolution/

Hi Javier

interesting stuff especially the fidelizer blog

but i think I'll have another read as I'm at the basic idiot stage when it comes to computers,

however i am quite attracted to the idea of changing settings myself as i feel it would be a good opportunity to find out what things do before messing with them.

I'm enjoying the learning curve which for me is steep but such fun and i figure that if i mess up it's only a reformat and reload.

thanks for the links they are an interesting read.

take care

[Deleted]

I use the commercial program "Ashampoo WinOptimizer 7"
to help control non essential start up services .
Alex

[Deleted]

You're welcome.

I would recommend anyone using USB devices, specially DACs, to install W7's SP1, it includes new USB dlls' and sys files that reduce latency quite dramatically (I checked before Vs after with DPCLAT --> www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml and got down from 150-170ms to 85-110ms and got rid of occasional spikes). I have a Core i7 PC and a dedicated PCIe USB (3.0) card for the Musiland DAC so I don't have any real problems with latency or services/apps running, even before SP1 I was well below 500ms, but the lower the better.

BTW, Fidelizer runs in "session" mode, it doesn't disable any thing, it just stops/shuts down unneeded services/programs. If they are needed again rebooting the PC will restore everything back to the way it was before and no damage done. There is a check box to make it load automatically when Windows starts but if music is not the only/main use of the PC I wouldn't recommend using it.

[Deleted]

Last night I was introduced to Fidelizer....thanks for those links Javier...... made the download and ran the software.
I then played some Yello....Bela Fleck and Greg Brown I had obtained from Last FM quite a while ago.......192kb...........also a selection of Alex's downloads.
I think that the tracks played smoother ie: no drop outs....................idealy I should have listened first with out the fidelizer optimisation having run............when I get time I'll have a go at a subjective listen to get a better handle on what is or is not happening.
My impression was that I was enjoying what I was listening to...........obviously the content has to be to your taste....I don't see the point of listening to some screeching old bat......(hmmm! sorry Alex........must remember where you and I are in the scheme of life)
hammering out the high notes..........just to say....."WOW! listen to those vocal chords.
I got up this morning intending to go straight into the final steps of layout for my incarnation
of Alex's HA/Pre...........(I'm getting there....just got the offset section to shoehorn in to the last wee bit of blank real estate on the board.....that's what comes of trying to wing it on thin air)......... and here I am rambling on.
Alan

[Deleted]

Alex I'm using ReginRegout to do same....good software....works well....has a good services manager.......got your email not made the download yet,
Thanks Alan

[Deleted]

Alan, fantastic post - thank you amd I'll check my W7 laptop through later today.

Also the pointer to Fidelizer looks interesting - will follow it up too.

Regards,

Derek

[Deleted]

''BTW, Fidelizer runs in "session" mode, it doesn't disable any thing, it just stops/shuts down unneeded services/programs. If they are needed again rebooting the PC will restore everything back to the way it was before and no damage done. There is a check box to make it load automatically when Windows starts but if music is not the only/main use of the PC I wouldn't recommend using it''.

Hi Javier

thanks for posting the above it set my mind at rest and after looking at the head spinning list of things that may or may not be switched of or set to manual so I've Fidelized mine also.

I'm only going to use the Wilbur (music PC) for music related activities and a small amount of surfing for downloads so the Fidelizer seems ideal.

thanks for the info on that

Hi Alan

thanks for the feedback it was most useful and helped nudge me in the Fidelizer direction. ;D

I can't say that i noticed any dropouts before installing the Fidelizer but optimization has to be the name of the game for me. (especially being on a limited budget knowhow wise)

the music PC is sounding pretty good and I'm more than happy with it.

take care

[Deleted]

Hi All

Just a quick report back on the Fidelizer.

i like it

IMHO the sound is smoother and more relaxed in the positive sense.

sometimes i forget to run it and find myself thinking ''that's not quite as good as it sounded yesterday''. i switch it in and hey presto business as usual SQ wise.

the thing that i really like about this program is that running it is optional and it leaves the OS unchanged when the system is rebooted.

pretty coooool


Thanks again for the link Javier

take care

[jkeny]

Most of you probably already know this but if you are a bit slow like me you will be grateful for this tip - don't use KS (Kernel Streaming) in Win 7 - use Wasapi.

Foobar using KS in Win XP takes exclusive control of the soundcard - in Win 7 it doesn't & it still matters - Win mixer is still not good sounding (even in Win 7)

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2011 7:53:54 GMT jkeny said:

Most of you probably already know this but if you are a bit slow like me you will be grateful for this tip - don't use KS (Kernel Streaming) in Win 7 - use Wasapi.

Foobar using KS in Win XP takes exclusive control of the soundcard - in Win 7 it doesn't & it still matters - Win mixer is still not good sounding (even in Win 7)

Hi John?

I'm pretty new to computers and compared to me you are a fountain of all knowledge

I've only used foobar in it's basic form and have not tried any plug In's. ;D

so my brain clicked round and round.

Wasapi click Wasapi click Wasapi click

the closest correlation i could get was a Japanese horse radish paste use in sushi.

so you've got me interested enough to want to know more.

after a quick trawl round the net i think it's a plug in for Foobar but that's as far as i got before my ignorance took over

some more info on what it is and how it works would be great.

take care

[Deleted]

Hi Shaun,

Check 1st post on page #2 here (very easy to install & use in Foobar):

rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=6458&page=2

WASPI is W7's way to skip Windows' mixer more or put another way, Microsft's version of ASIO, more info:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASAPI#Audio_stack_architecture

[Will]

Apr 8, 2011 10:33:03 GMT @shaun said:

Hi All

Just a quick report back on the Fidelizer.

i like it

IMHO the sound is smoother and more relaxed in the positive sense.

sometimes i forget to run it and find myself thinking ''that's not quite as good as it sounded yesterday''. i switch it in and hey presto business as usual SQ wise.

the thing that i really like about this program is that running it is optional and it leaves the OS unchanged when the system is rebooted.

pretty coooool


Thanks again for the link Javier

take care

Nice feedback, Shaun!

I've just checked out the site properly, and it also supports Vista, so I'll put in on the list of things to try on my musicPC.

[jkeny]

Shaun,
I see others have answered your question about Wasapi (don't forget to use Soya sauce & ginger with it

This player is only new but it sounds a bit better than Foobar (at least the last version did - I haven't checked this version) www.purediy.gr/downloads/

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2011 18:04:01 GMT @javier said:

Hi Shaun,

Check 1st post on page #2 here (very easy to install & use in Foobar):

rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=6458&page=2

WASPI is W7's way to skip Windows' mixer more or put another way, Microsft's version of ASIO, more info:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASAPI#Audio_stack_architecture

Hi Javier

Thats a great tutorial you provided the link to. i was thinking of trying some Foobar plug ins bit began to worry about messing things up so I've not bothered.

I'm pretty green when it comes to computers and that walk through tutorial was just what i needed to get me started.

I've installed the Asio support and Wasapi plug In's using your great instructions.

top advice that really does work

i'm off to have a listen

i'll let you know how it goes

thanks

take care

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2011 19:38:54 GMT Will said:

Apr 8, 2011 10:33:03 GMT @shaun said:

Hi All

Just a quick report back on the Fidelizer.

i like it

IMHO the sound is smoother and more relaxed in the positive sense.

sometimes i forget to run it and find myself thinking ''that's not quite as good as it sounded yesterday''. i switch it in and hey presto business as usual SQ wise.

the thing that i really like about this program is that running it is optional and it leaves the OS unchanged when the system is rebooted.

pretty coooool


Thanks again for the link Javier

take care

Nice feedback, Shaun!

I've just checked out the site properly, and it also supports Vista, so I'll put in on the list of things to try on my musicPC.

Hi Will

yes it's a cool program with no worries and well worth trying.

i found that i noticed when i forgot to start it before listening.

The Wilbur's swinging along nicely.

take care

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2011 21:12:17 GMT jkeny said:

Shaun,
I see others have answered your question about Wasapi (don't forget to use Soya sauce & ginger with it

This player is only new but it sounds a bit better than Foobar (at least the last version did - I haven't checked this version) www.purediy.gr/downloads/

Hi John

yes i spotted that one on DIYAUDIO but had been reading a post from a guy that had developed a dos based music player which put me of (some what).

thanks for the link

I'll go and take a fresh look at that.

[Deleted]

Hi Javier

Ok a few things that I’ve noticed since installing the ASIO support and Wasapi.

I now have the extra ASIO device option under the output tab which was not there before so that looks like it works ok. When going into the ASIO window I found that there where no devices listed so I added the Xonar DS from the drop down list and applied the change.

I was curious about the ASIO set up ‘’pop up’’ window that appeared when I selected the DS. Seems to have a choice of bit depth (16.24, 32). Not to sure what to set that at so I set it for 24 (wild stab).

(I’ll pick the computer speak up at some point)

After resetting the buffer to 500 I had a listen

Wooooh who cleaned the windows.

It sounds cleaner and clearer to my ears and worth the 10 mins effort to set it up.

I’ve not tried the Wasapi yet but that should be interesting.

Nice tip, great link and fab tutorial

And another thing

From the 12 or so posts (excluding my own efforts) here the SQ of my PC has taken quite a step forward so thanks to all who have been patient with me it’s much appreciated.

I find that on some of the bigger sites that new people like me can get left behind really quickly. But one of really nice think about RG is that people seem to take more time to help and that’s just fantastic.

Thanks Alan, Javier, Will, Alex , DereK, John you're cool dudes

Take care