User Manual

APPENDIX B: TROUBLESHOOTING AND SUPPORT
992
Simplify your setup
One of the most common causes of problems is a
conflict with other software in the system. Run
Digital Performer by itself, with no other plug-ins
or virtual instruments, and see if the problem you
are having still happens.
Check the ‘Read Me First’
It’s human nature to blow right past the Read Me
First, but you’ll probably be glad you took the time.
If you experience problems with Digital Performer,
check the Read Me notes that ship with the current
version you are using.
If you cannot open a particular file
First try opening other existing files, or a new file,
to be sure Digital Performer is working at all. If a
file is opened and seems damaged, will not let you
save changes, etc., you still may be able to save
some or all of its musical information by using the
Clipboard to copy the tracks and paste them into
another file.
MIDI TROUBLESHOOTING
The most important tools for tracking down MIDI
input/output problems are the MIDI Monitor
window and the Event Lists. The MIDI Monitor
window indicates the type and channel
assignments of all MIDI data being sent to Digital
Performer. If there is a hardware problem, or if
your channel assignments are wrong, the problem
should be apparent in the MIDI Monitor window.
On the other hand, the Event Lists show all the
MIDI data being sent from Digital Performer. If
you’re hearing something unusual in your
sequence, the first thing to do is to bring up the
Event Lists for the tracks in question. Go to the
points in the track at which you are hearing the
discrepancy and look for events that may
correspond to what you are hearing. Use the View
Filter if necessary to clearly isolate the events you
are interested in. If the problem is visible in the
Event List, you can erase or edit the events in
question. If an audible problem does not
correspond to anything in the Event List, its cause
is likely to be something external to Digital
Performer: the computer, interface, cables,
instruments, or other equipment.
If Digital Performer starts correctly, but you are
unable to record (or play) any MIDI data
Double-check your cable connections and MIDI
instrument settings. Check your MIDI device
configuration (Setup menu > Bundles > MIDI
Devices tab) and the connections to the computer.
Often only A/B tests will reveal the source of the
problem. It may be necessary to switch your MIDI
cables, and if possible, to try using a different MIDI
interface or MIDI instrument for input/output.
The easiest way to test if MIDI data is actually
getting to Digital Performer is to open the MIDI
Monitor window. Make sure that any recording
channel assignments in the Tracks window and
Input Filter correspond to the MIDI channels set in
the controlling keyboard or device.
If you’re having problems synchronizing Digital
Performer with other equipment
Refer carefully to chapter 86, “Receive Sync”
(page 951). Try to deduce exactly which signals are
not being sent or are being misinterpreted by
which pieces of equipment. The MIDI Monitor
window is helpful in determining if timing
information is being sent: the RT (real time)
indicator will highlight for the ports receiving beat
clocks or other timing data. The Co (system
common) light illuminates when Digital Performer
is receiving MIDI Time Code.
AUDIO TROUBLESHOOTING
Here are some additional issues related specifically
to audio recording and playback.
If Digital Performer can’t find the audio card
If you launch Digital Performer and see a warning
box that says that there is no audio hardware, when
actually there is, quit Digital Performer, shut down