Sound cards changing positions

Thu, 26 Sept 2013, 10:03 pm

frostyboy11 posts in thread

Hi, I installed three sound cards in an XP PC and the new Multiplay cue system is working great. The setup is this:- Three pci sound cards. (1) Aureal (2) Sound Blaster Live (3) Sound Blaster wave Multiplay (or me) allocates Output one to card one, output 2 to card 2 etc. The outputs are then wired through the mixer board to particular theatre areas. All is fine and works a treat. The problem is this:- After each PC start up, Windows allocates each sound card to a different position, so:- (1) becomes Sound Blaster wave (2) becomes Aureal (3) becomes Sound Blaster Live (at random). For no apparent reason the sound which should be backstage suddenly comes from front of house. This is not insurmountable of course. All I need to do is re-set them in the software after every startup. It just makes it complicated for a novice operator to cope with. Is there a way you know of to permanently fix their position within windows? Opening night tonight and apprehensive!!! Thanks frostyboy

Thread (11 posts)

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frostyboyThu, 26 Sept 2013, 10:03 pm

jeffhansenThu, 26 Sept 2013, 10:38 pm

Have you emailed David who

Have you emailed David who wrote Multiplay? His email address is on his web page, Audio Visual Devices. I've found him to be very helpful in the past. I've only ever used two cards and never come across the problem.

jeffhansenThu, 26 Sept 2013, 10:40 pm

https://www.audiovisualdevices.com.au/software/multiplay/

frostyboyThu, 26 Sept 2013, 11:07 pm

Yes. The first thing I did

Yes. The first thing I did was email David. He just said he's never come across it. To be fair, it's not the software. As I posted, I think it's something to do with IRQ or I/O allocation. But I'm no expert on that stuff.

LabrugFri, 27 Sept 2013, 09:04 am

Done a little hunting for you

Google is my friend and showed me these links which MAY help;

http://alsa.opensrc.org/MultipleCards

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=764949

https://community.ardour.org/node/1716

Plus many more - Not sure if any of these will help, but it's a start.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Walter PlingeSat, 28 Sept 2013, 07:00 am

Thanks for trying, but all

Thanks for trying, but all that info relates to Linux not Windows. I don't think there is any relationship between the two systems.

LabrugSat, 28 Sept 2013, 04:25 pm

Windows 7?

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

jeffhansenSat, 28 Sept 2013, 04:44 pm

XP it says in the original

XP it says in the original post.

LabrugSat, 28 Sept 2013, 05:10 pm

Version

Fair cop on the base software. This is a hardware issue and I was focussing in that. However, when searching for Windows related Pages, there is a wide division between versions as to how to handle it, so now knowing the version would help.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

TaureanSun, 29 Sept 2013, 10:53 am

Multiplay vs Show Cue System..

Sorry for weighing to this thread a tad late but I would like to offer the following advice.

I have been using a programme known as Show Cue System (SCS) for several years in varying theatre situations using single and multiple sound cards without problem.

HOWEVER, in every situation I have used separate "stand-alone" devices for each broadcast source (IE: 1 for FOH, 1 for Main, 1 for fill/subs). My device of choice for this is the usb in XLR out ARX "Audi Box" . The creators of SCS also suggest using a fire-wire input, multiple XLR output I/O unit built by Roland - the "Octet"(?) but I cannot testify to the success of this as I have not tried it myself.

I prefer the multiple unit method because in my experience most "on board" sound cards, either factory fitted or after-market, will tend to be prone to varying degrees of "pink noise" from the power supply transformer and drives of the computer and USB driven cards negate this. The problems are further compounded by the "pre-selection" situation that you have mentioned.

By keeping the sound card as "plug & play" SCS itself designates which unit is being used for what purpose in each "Sound Scape" created and will retain the memory of which unit is doing what each time. (SCS runs a pre-show check as it is activated and actually complain if a device is missing or not in the right place!)

The joys of SCS are many fold:

1. it is not limited to sound cues (it will also cue midi, 512 dmx, video and powerpoint)

2. it will allow designation of broadcast sources for each cue

3. it allows "on the fly" editing of cue play time length, individual/overall cue volume or pan.

4. it allows "single tap" space bar cue triggering. (no hunting for a particular key in dim light!)

5. it supports multiple cue overlay for complex sound-scapes.

6. it supports a "hot key" function that that will trigger "instantaneous" cues regardless of what else is going on at the time. (Very handy for that annoying "live" gunshot/explosion/thunderclap "somewhere" in a looped cue!)

7. SCS pre-loads all cues far in advance so immediate playback is possible without any time delays even if cues are deliberately or accidentally skipped.

8. Soundscapes can be created on one machine (say, at home or in the studio) and "locked" to avoid erroneous editing, then downloaded onto a stick/thumb-drive which can be carried safely to any venue utilising the same version of SCS. SCS will create a cue folder with any and all source files included. Thus allowing the Sound Designer to hand over to an Operator without fear. (NOTE! To do this any sound/video distribution equiptment programmed into the soundscape must be present at the venue and at the place of origin.)

9. SCS will generate a Cue List that can be printed out to simplify what happens when for the FX Operator/Show Caller.

10. (For the Patriots.) SCS is created by Australians for Australian theatre.

DRAW BACKS: This is a Windows based programme and at this point in time I do not believe there is a version that will run on a tablet.

SCS is available via download from their website as a fully functioning DEMO version to try before you buy, but this will only run a limited number of cues.

ARX Audio equiptment is available from most reputable Pro-Audio suppliers. For the record - ARX units are dual balanced XLR line level out so they are easily included to the mixing desk or can be coupled direct from PC to either live speakers or power amps negating the need for a desk!!

I usually operate using a laptop computer both at the venue and at home for creation and have not had any problems with either SCS or ARX.

Hope this helps and does not add to the confusion.

Chookas!!

"Each day is the dawn of a new error" - anon.

LogosSun, 29 Sept 2013, 03:08 pm

Love SCS

I started with the cheapest basic version and have shifted up two rungs as it improved and my needs increased. Highly recomended. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au www.moorebooks.net.au

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