B4 vs. WinXp: hanging notes

I'm currently trying to work this issue through with the support folks, but it's taking a while. In the meantime, was wondering if anyone else has seen this problem:

Running the B4 on WinXP, midi input events are getting randomly dropped, resulting in hung notes. I also don't see any animation. I've tried two different USB midi interfaces (edirol 2X2, midiman 8x8) and there's no difference. Runing Kontakt on the same box, I don't see this problem at all. Running the B4 on my Win98 box, I also don't see this problem.

Anyone else seeing this?

 

I have this exact same problem: Windows XP Pro. In my case it seems to be due to the fact that I have a dual processor SMP machine, and B4 seems to be incompatible with that. I am able to stop the hanging notes if I configure the app to run stand-alone on a single processor after launching it. There is no problem with hung notes when B4 is run as a DXi.

To make it run on a single processor you open the Windows Task Manager (CTRL-ALT-DEL), choose the Processes TAB, right click on B4.EXE and choose Set Affinity. Place a check mark in only one of the processors.

I wrote and told NI tech. support about my problem and work-around, but never heard anything back from them.

 

Thanks for the tip!

I don't actually have 2 processors, but the one I have is a P4 HT (hyper threading) which looks kind of like two processors to the OS. Following your instructions seems to have done the trick with regard to the hung notes (yes!). However, I still have no annimation, but I can live without that...

Apparently, tech support has forgotten your report, or something. I'll try to clue them in again, this should be on their bug list.

Anyway, thanks again!!!!

 

Hanging notes in XP, but proc is only single

Howdy. I'm running XP Pro on an Athlon 1700XP (512 RAM) and getting those hanging notes. Unfortunately, I don't have the "dual proc" fix as above cuz I only have one processor! Any suggestions are warmly welcomed.
Thanks!
Will, will@earthlink.net

 

Hi. Sorry I don't have any suggestion other than to be sure and inform Tech Support and Sales of the problem in hopes that it will eventually be fixed.

Do you also have a problem with the animation, or just the hanging notes? My animation problem still hasn't been solved, and I still have to go through Jamie's routine every time I bring up the application to stop the note hanging problem.

 

I had the same problem running B4 in standalone with WinXP, with a P4 3.06Ghz, which, since it uses hyperthreading, looks to the system like a dual. I went into the system BIOS and disabled hyperthreading, and lo and behold, the hanging notes stopped.

I still have no animation, though -- in B4, Pro-53, and Battery. (All work fine in standalone mode on my WinXP laptop however, and I've yet to experience any issues when running as DXi anywhere.)

Disabling hyperthreading also solved another B4 problem, though: In Sonar, I could only have one instance of B4 open at a time. Since I sometimes cross-reference multiple files, that meant I was guaranteed a Sonar crash if I opened a file that contained another instance of B4. Without hyperthreading, that problem has gone away.

Now if I could just find a way for FM7 to peacefully coexist in a Sonar file with the PSP Audioware Vintage Warmer plug-in, I'd be all set

 

Forgive the newbieness, but how exactly do you get into system bios to disable hyperthreading? Thanks!

 

Immediately after boot (after the system RAM test -- depending on how fast you machine is, this can count up before your monitor even powers on, so sometimes you gotta be quick!), press the hot-key to open up the system BIOS window. On my machine, it was the F2 key, but on others, it's F8 or Delete (check with your motherboard manufacturer to find out what the secret key is).

Once in BIOS, it's usually pretty easy to navigate around with the arrow keys. In the BIOS, (mine is Intel), there's a heading for Processor, and an option beneath it for Hyperthreading [Enabled] [Disabled]. I selected [Disabled], exited, and viola!

 

The post I did last nite for the "B4 & GigaStudio" thread was meant to go here. My bad. Here it is again with a follow-up...

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On 2-Sep-03:
I spent the last two days messing with a new P4C 2.4GHz PC running Win XP trying to get my MIDI interfaces (Midisport 8x8, Delta 1010 and Evolution UC-33) working. I was (foolishly) using my registered standalone B4 w/ tonewheel set as the test case, until I saw this post.

I confirm all the above, and can add that I can get animation without disabling hyperthreading if I do a mouse operation on the B4. I haven't confirmed that I eliminate MIDI dropouts using this method. In normal operation (w/ hyperthreading on and no mouse ops) I simultaneously ran Sound Quest's Midi Tools, Midi Analyzer and confirmed all note on/off messages are getting through. Therefore, as we know, it is definitely an NI B4 problem. Also get similar behavior with Pro-53 demo. Haven't yet had the time to (re)load my registered Reaktor.

I sent an email to NI tech support yesterday and phoned US support today, leaving a message. However, in light of the lack of NI response indicated in this thread, I am not hopeful.

This is a problem that should be addressed by NI. Lots of folks like you and I are spending $$ on high zoot PC's, only to have to emasculate them to run what I would now characterize as a legacy VST instrument. For all the raving that the B4 receives, you would think that NI would give it the VST engine tune-up it deserves and hasn't seen for nearly 3 years. Come on NI, give us a break!!!

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On 3-Sep-03:
I appear to have been a bit hasty in my post last night regarding NI tech support. I spoke with Mike in US tech support and found out the following:

1) NI is aware of the problem and will have a fix at some TBD point in the future. Apparently the MAC OS stuff is the current priority. Not that it does us a lot of good now, but an acknowledgement is a step in the right direction.

2) He suggested doing an uninstall, disable hyperthreading, then reinstall. This should correct both the dropped MIDI and lack of animation. Will try this tonight. I hope it works as I bought the UC-33 partially for controlling the B4.

3) When asked if it affected Reaktor and Spektral Delay, the answer was it was a problem across the board.

So there you have it. Let's hope that NI are true to their word about producing a remedy.

Looking forward to B4 V1.2 and HT fixes in general...

 

Still no animation

Finally got around to doing the uninstall, disable hyperthreading, then reinstalling. It had no effect on animation, i.e. B4 still doesn't have it. Hanging notes gone, but so is my HT. So, after spending $$ on my UC-33 controller and PC upgrade, I'm more than disappointed about lack of animation. Anyone in a similar situation with a solution, I'd like to know what it is.

Riz

 

I have the same problem with my Windows XP. OK for disabling hyper threading, but I wonder if disabling hyper threading can cause problems with other application. Isn'it important to keep hyper threading enabled? Do I have enable it back after using B4?

 

I have found no problems permanently disabling hyperthreading. You just won't get the performance boost it offers. If you don't want to disable and forget, you can follow jamieoconnell's post on this thread for setting the affinity each time you run. It is a pain but works.

 

Any word on a fix for hyperthreading (besides turning off)?

 

Previously NI stated that development efforts were focused on support for Mac OS X, thus hyperthreading support was in the plan but not the priority. Fair enough, though not happy about it.

Now that all NI software products are available for Mac OS X (per 19-Jan-04 NI press release), what is the plan for supporting hyperthreading under Win XP? Is there some other priority, or can we expect some forthcoming support?

 

hanging notes and/or crippled animation

Hi,

I am having exactly the same experience as described above...does anyone know the status of this "situation"...is it acknowlegde by NI support?...is solution in process?

Thanks
David

 

So it is now over a year since NI has been made aware of the problem with hyperthreading and still no B4 update. Pretty lame. So what is the likelihood that this software company is going to get the new B4D hardware controller correct? This frustrated user will wait until the software is fixed B4 dropping more money. IMHO I suggest you do too.

So much for the NAMM press release of full WinXP support. What a joke!!! Are you listening NI support or are you having too much fun at Musikmesse? No reply required. I don't expect one anyway.

 

hanging notes and/or crippled animation

I'll second that...moreover, what's especially annoying is the seemingly arrogant way they choose to simply ignore this issue (as if it's going to go away on its own).

Out of frustation, I went out today and purchased and installed Ultimate Sound Bank's "Charlie"...sounds great!

 

B4 vs Win XP: hanging note and missed out note ons

Obviously have the same problem..

Things seem to go better using the VST stack product to "control" and monitor the B4 stuff.

By the way, I would really like to have NI fix this bug w/o their users being sticked to disable HT on their machines. :-(

Benoit

 

Hanging Notes

Hi there Folks,

Have anyone of you tried to run the B4 (standalone version) in XP in the Win98 mode.

How do we do that ????

well select your copy of the B4.exe (usually found at ..\Program Files\Native Instruments\B4\Bin) right-click it and select properties.

Select the compatibility tab.

Select the Windows 98 / Windows ME mode.

With this option you can always try to run programs that do not run well under XP.

I'm not sure if this will solve the problem for you all.

Bye

RemPro

 

Re: Hanging Notes

I just perfomed the actions per your advice, and tests seem sucessful so far (i.e. no hanging notes or missing NotEOn events).

Thank you for your help,
Benoît