USB Audio Driver Registry Buffer tweak

[blaine78]

Hi,
Found a tweak for people who use USB audio devices, using the Windows own generic USB audio driver.
Increasing the buffer of the driver seems to have a great impact on sound for me using an Ayre QB-9 DAC. Sound seems soother, less grit. I'm using Windows 7 SP1 64bit, this will also Work for vista 32 and 64.

To set the registry entry:
Open Registry Editor. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB\VID_<xxxx>&PID_<yyyy>&<??_??>\<look for ALL device instances with DeviceDesc:  USB Audio Device mentioned>\Device Parameters

in Device Parameter folder right click, DWORD (32-bit) Value. Rename to CapturePacketsPerUrb, and then press ENTER.

Right-click CapturePacketsPerUrb, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type in 10. 10 = 10ms buffer, you can choose between 3 - 10 ms. 10ms worked best for me.
you must restart your PC after adding this registry setting

Happy listening.

[PeterSt]

Ehm, Blaine ... I am sorry, but you are "applying" general tweaks here to an application which tweaks itself, or won't let itself be tweaked otherwise (meaning : these things can work out very counter productive).

Besides that, I am sure you didn't test the real merits of this (I did), and you will not be able to tell how it works, what actually works, and what will be damaged by it. It is not even about the "buffer length" as such.

OF COURSE everybody can do what he wants, but it is not advised, and a few of us in here already know what may be the result : A PC won't behave as anticipated upon and you won't get it right anymore either. And hey, didn't we see you re-installing W7 SP1 for the nth time to be sure about this and that and whatever it is you won't know yourself ? this is exactly about these kind of things. For example, did you ever investigate what it means to apply this tweak to "all instances" as you propose it ? Well, you propose nothing, but copied it from the 1000 places elsewhere, and forgot to dig up that one place (if it exists) which tells what you will actually be doing to which.
DON'T.

Or :

Go ahead to tweak your JR to dead, while in here we try to tweak the OS to dead. That's another thing you know.

Nevertheless your advise is appreciated, as will all your next and those from others. But we really like to have them checked for their real merits which plainly and clearly is not for everyone. Not that this is a (forum) rule or anything, but 99% of these things work out for the worse. Never mind your QB-9 benefits from it. But remember, this is XXHighEnd full of tweaks and not a random other player without any.

To make it hopefully clear the best, you will remember me saying (elsewhere) that WASAPI is not to stutter or anything in any event, and that at least in here (this forum) you won't find any one post about such a thing (but one, which was about a malfunctioning laptop), while "overthere" (other forum, other player(s)), in fact all complained about this. I hope that you will get from this that chances are not large that any so called "tweak" necessary for another player, are needed for the one we use in here. This means it can only be dangerous. Now, use XXHighEnd (and I'm really not telling you to do so !) and all is different. Hopefully you won't recognize your QB-9 anymore in the first place (to the good sense), but which happens exactly because of the hundreds of these little and larger things ("tweaks") which already are in the software.

Let's finish this little post by pointing out that many of the "tweaks" in XXHighEnd emerged from posts from all of you. This is why it's *always* appreciated to come up with something which maybe is unknown so far. Just be careful about what it really will do. And otherwise I'll be here to write posts like this. It happened before.

Thanks,
Peter

[blaine78]

Hi Pete,
This tweak is as stated above, a tweak for USB Audio Devices, NOT software audio players. The tweak is to raise the data buffer in the USB AUDIO DEVICE. it is not about stutter as i had no stutter previously. Is for Audio quality and works wonders here, REGARDLESS of the playback software. Is a tweak for others to try out. There is no harm, and is not dangerous. if it doesn't work for some, just delete the registry entry.

[PeterSt]

Hi Blaine,

I realize my english is not the best, but my text about the stuttering was an example.

This tweak is as stated above, a tweak for USB Audio Devices, NOT software audio players.

Well, then you just as well may think that a whole PC is not related to audio. But it exactly prooves what I was saying : you think like you think, and I think you think wrongly. Of course this affects audio players ? what do you think ?!
And since you are as far that W7 SP1 may sound better, what do you think this comes from ? The OS is LOADED which sh*t like this, and it all influences sound.

If you won't believe this, go ahead. It is your PC !

[blaine78]

Once again, it is NOT tweaking an audio players code, is for USB AUDIO DEVICE which can/will influence the final sound, as with IRQ settings, USB IdleEnable, and Clock Resuloution. this is another tweak. Pete, and others, if it doesn't work for you, don't use it, at least try it out first then decide. As for this tweak being dug up from a 1000 places, i seem to only find it at one place, Microsoft website. try and google and see if a 1000 posts pop up, then tell me.

and yes, an OS is loaded with s*it like this, been building my own computers for 10 years now, with audio related hardware and software.

[PeterSt]

I will give the subject a twist and see how far we come with this. Be ready to burst in tears, okay ? I am ready for that too.

Btw, you don't have to coorporate if you don't like to, or have better things to do otherwise. But if you don't, you loose in advance because of not showing up in court. Notice that I loose rarely in these kind of games (which I just made out of it), but it sure can happen. As said, I am prepared for that.

Now let's see. Below you see my Google result. Not exactly 1000, but 650 only. However, this has been one means only to look for it, and there are others. Not sure if I can make it to exactly 1000, but let's say 650 is enough for now.

Next, you are going to provide me that "Microsoft" link you referred to, and because we can't be sure what I am going to see from that (because of countries directing to certain MS mages) you are also going to make a screen copy of the contents. So, both please.

Then, you are going to tell in here - whatever it is you think you found - what it actually does. And what it is for. Of course this should equal your earlier description, but you are allowed to deviate from that.

When you have done this, I will be back with some comments. This could comprise of "I lost" only. But maybe not. This is actually up to you and what you come up with.

Small hint : Google again what you Googled for before, and notice Phasure.com to be on top. It may tell you something.

Have fun !
Peter

[Gerard]

  A Contest

 

[blaine78]

I will give the subject a twist and see how far we come with this. Be ready to burst in tears, okay ? I am ready for that too.

Btw, you don't have to coorporate if you don't like to, or have better things to do otherwise. But if you don't, you loose in advance because of not showing up in court. Notice that I loose rarely in these kind of games (which I just made out of it), but it sure can happen. As said, I am prepared for that.

Now let's see. Below you see my Google result. Not exactly 1000, but 650 only. However, this has been one means only to look for it, and there are others. Not sure if I can make it to exactly 1000, but let's say 650 is enough for now.

Next, you are going to provide me that "Microsoft" link you referred to, and because we can't be sure what I am going to see from that (because of countries directing to certain MS mages) you are also going to make a screen copy of the contents. So, both please.

Then, you are going to tell in here - whatever it is you think you found - what it actually does. And what it is for. Of course this should equal your earlier description, but you are allowed to deviate from that.

When you have done this, I will be back with some comments. This could comprise of "I lost" only. But maybe not. This is actually up to you and what you come up with.

Small hint : Google again what you Googled for before, and notice Phasure.com to be on top. It may tell you something.

Have fun !
Peter

Hi Pete search on exact phrase CapturePacketsPerUrb, which is what i'm specifically talking about here, 10 replies on google, and only 1 that has proper information, Microsoft site.
Thanks for playing. need a tissue?
And regards to what i found and what it's for, i mention on very first post.

[PeterSt]

Yes, you need a tissue. Well, for now.
Where are your links ? where is your copied page ?

Instead of tissues, maybe look this this :
haha

[blaine78]

Yes, you need a tissue. Well, for now.
Where are your links ? where is your copied page ?

Instead of tissues, maybe look this this :
haha

I need a tissue?? nah, you do 
this is the Microsoft link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953228

Not all the information is relevant on this above link as it's speaking of correcting other issues regarding UBS 2 audio, but the buffer still works for USB 1 Audio devices. Scroll down to the information regarding changing the Buffer size registry  edit of the USB device. I tried it, cause i can't help myself when a computer audio tweak is involved. fortunately it sounded great.

[PeterSt]

Can't you make screencopies ?


I can.

By now dutch people will know you have lost.
Now you ...

[blaine78]

Can't you make screencopies ?


I can.

By now dutch people will know you have lost.
Now you ...

Umm, you haven't captured the info i was talking about in this screen shot. maybe post the full facts about the buffer tweak.
I have won this contest. i said there was only 10 results in google using exact phrase, and have a link to the MS site. what's your point Pete? It's a USB Audio buffer tweak? i don't get what you are on about? It works, and soudns good. i said ignor other info on the MS site as it's not relvant, only the buffer tweak that is of interest. now hang your head in shame!

[PeterSt]

... not yet ...

[PeterSt]

and because we can't be sure what I am going to see from that (because of countries directing to certain MS mages) you are also going to make a screen copy of the contents.

Didn't you read this ? or did you maybe don't want to read it ?

Don't be too ignorant on this. I clearly said it for a reason.

Btw, if you want to attach a screen copy, just click on the "Additional Options" you see in the below left corner during posting.

I'll allow you not to have lost yet ...

[blaine78]

and because we can't be sure what I am going to see from that (because of countries directing to certain MS mages) you are also going to make a screen copy of the contents.

Didn't you read this ? or did you maybe don't want to read it ?

Don't be too ignorant on this. I clearly said it for a reason.

Btw, if you want to attach a screen copy, just click on the "Additional Options" you see in the below left corner during posting.

I'll allow you not to have lost yet ...

Ah, good, found how to attach.. here it is. this is the info on how to change the buffer. and once again, not all info is relevant (hotfix etc etc)