So after months of hard work im finally sitting on my throne, beneath me the tightest most impervious DAW i've ever created. No matter what i throw at it, it just smiles at me and i smile back. Victory.
I learnt alot this time.
But enough story telling, to the point, WinXP SP3 version 5.1 Build 2600, just installing the TI software and connecting it via usb with no software or sequencer loaded introduces around 70us of latency under USBPORT.SYS. It then goes on to affect OHCI1394.sys (firewire host controller) adding 30-40us and causing random spikes of 1000+. Why it should affect that driver i don't know but without the TI connected its down to 2us. A few other drivers are also affected slightly. This is without outputting via the USB audio port, with them its worse.
While these figures don't sound like alot, and before you presume its a troubleshooting scenario, this system is down to 1-2us idle. I've added and tested quite a selection of devices both usb and firewire, maxed out the ports, a full sequencer + software installation, UAD, LM32, FF800, a bunch of usb midi controllers, maxed out my processors with tracks and it still keeps itself together with a dpc latency floating around 35us, no spikes, and 20 of that is from 2x MIdex8 midi interfaces which require this for their timing. Everything is stable no matter how complex the project becomes.
I've literally sat down at this trouble shooting forum and clicked through 200+pages of threads to find any related to VC software problems and i have tried every method and tip ever mentioned. Im using a dedicated USB card, i've tried various installation procedures, cables, settings etc, it has made no difference. The Virus is running just fine as a standalone unit, no pops etc.
I've tested my set-up rigorously from the bottom up. HIgh quality power supply, tested every chip and port on the motherboard deliberately trying to cause conflicts or any kind, every component is working harmoniously. Every step of the way i have been measuring with a DPC latency tool and Microsoft RATT logs. I installed every last thing i have in the studio, both software and hardware, ran everything simultaneously, plugged and pulled things, tweaked settings, it-just-works. I use to have hell with the Midex interfaces, this is no longer, but come to think about it, unplugging the usb connection of the Virus while a sequencer was running (although not advisable) would cause the MIdexs to crash, no other device did.
So basically, rock solid DAW, teeny dpc latency, add Virus software, connect via usb and it all goes to hell. Perhaps not immediately noticeable without the dpc tools, but once the project develops this initally hidden erraticness and added latency can cause problems to your project and recording, thats without even considering the pops and clicks from the Virus itself via usb.
Perhaps this is old news and well established, but i just thought i'd share my experience with the possibility of helping someone else out there who has lost more hair than i have slaving over this usb abomination. Sorry.
If you are running the VC just fine even after maxing out your system + a gazillion devices, then *RASPBERRY* to you ! lol. But if you are experiencing any glitches of any sort before you've maxed your processing power, i'd take a closer look. Me personally im abolishing as many usb devices as i can. I used to run everything via usb until i realised that just moving the mouse was tipping me over. You blame the mouse, you blame the driver, blame the gpu, its not, its just that usb is a horribly finnicky process to have jumping around under the bonnet while you're trying to record audio.
I've done away with the usb connection of my midi controllers, powered them all via one multi-out 9v adapter, and let the midi interfaces handle the midi. Finally bliss.
Good luck people, and i almost forgot, surely somebody should come out with a standalone or vst editor for the TI !
I've tried Soundquests version but its not up to date with features and very buggy. Would love to see a soundiver in action again. The Virus C one was excellent.