Question
While playing audio files from my laptop I am experiencing the following problem :
Everything appears to be operating as normal, but at random intervals the audio playback stops and cuts out completely for a few seconds, and then starts again from where it was stopped. During this interruption, the software appears to freeze and there is no MIDI control. This repeats itself at regular intervals. Also, checking the CPU graph in the Windows task manager shows regular large peaks in CPU load.
Answer
We have identified a compatibility issue which affects a small percentage of laptop computers equipped with Intel Dual Core (or Core-Duo) CPU and the Intel 82801 GB/GBM host controller chipset, with the Windows XP / SP2 operating system. This does not affect Mac OS-X, desktop PCs, or single-core laptops. This is a known issue and our engineers are urgently working on a solution. Please visit our product website regularly for up-to-date information.
In any case we recommend that you take the following steps :
> Ensure that Windows XP Service Pack 2 is installed
> In addition to SP2, we strongly recommend obtaining the following hotfixes from Microsoft (these refer to handling of USB data streams)
KB898108
KB908763
KB918005
be sure to get the correct language for your operating system !
> Contact technical support of the manufacturer of the laptop to request the latest system updates for your model. Install these (if available)
> Visit the Intel website to obtain and install the newest versions of their chipset drivers (where applicable)
> Eliminate other possible system conflicts by following the recommendations in the attached file "Config_Advice_new.pdf"
> Increase the latency setting to its maximum in the BCD3000 control panel
It is possible to continue using the BCD3000 - using any of the following workarounds :
> Using the freeware driver "ASIO4ALL" to handle the audio processes - retain the BCD3000 as the selected MIDI control surface.
you can download this driver from
http://www.asio4all.comThis is limited to 2-channel output, and may suffer from increased latency times depending on the capabilities of the host computer.
> Using the onboard audio device as soundcard, retain the BCD3000 as the selected MIDI control surface.
This is usuallly limited to 2-channel operation, and does not necessarily provide automatic low-latency ASIO support.
> Using an alternative external ASIO soundcard, and retain the BCD3000 as the selected MIDI control surface.
> Selecting the "Direct Sound" driver option in the software audio preferences.
This is limited to 2 channel output and may suffer increased latency times depending on the capabilities of the host.