• Registered: 2012-12-03
  • Posts: 5

Topic: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

I purchased a Snow Edition Babyface back at the beginning of this year, and up until now, it's been excellent. I use it for mic/guitar recordings, as well as a headphone amp for a pair of AKGs.

However, about a month ago it started locking up on me. What happens is: I'll plug it in, and it'll work fine for about five to ten minutes. Then, regardless of whether or not I'm listening to music, TotalMix FX's line levels (even the meters I'm not using) will spike briefly, and then freeze. If music is playing when this occurs, it cuts out. The only way to stop this freeze is to unplug the Babyface. Once I do that, TotalMix FX returns to normal. (The rest of Windows does not freeze, though I've had videos lock up on me. Either on Youtube or in a media player, etc.) When I plug it back in, the same thing happens again. Only it doesn't take as long as it did initially. Sometimes it happens within a minute.

Here are a few screenshots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 44_042.jpg (Plugged in, no activity)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 58_440.jpg (Normal operation)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 42_787.jpg (Frozen, and note that even the echo effect's meter spiked despite the fact that it wasn't enabled)

I'm using a year old Windows 7 64-bit machine that I built late last year. It runs without a hitch, and has the latest Windows updates.

The Babyface is running the latest firmware update, which is 201, and the driver version is 1.025. I've tried reverting back to the firmware from the install disk that came with the unit, which was 186 (I think, going off of the top of my head), but it didn't make a difference. If I remember correctly, I don't think I even ever tried updating it until it started giving me trouble.

If it matters, I leave it plugged in to my computer all the time, but sometimes I do disconnect it (if I power down the PC, for example).

Also, I use a single USB cable. But I've tried different ones, including the double ended one that was supplied with the Babyface for extra power if necessary. It didn't make a difference though. I've also tried the various USB ports on the back of my rig. No change.

I've tried adjusting the buffer size from 48 samples (where I normally keep it) to 1024. No difference.

I don't believe the Babyface hardware is dying, but who knows.

If anyone knows of a solution, or can help, I'd truly appreciate it.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,806

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

Can you test this with another computer or another USB port on the same computer?

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2012-12-03
  • Posts: 5

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

I tried it on a laptop I have that has never seen the Babyface before, and it still did it.

Different USB ports don't seem to make a difference.

  • Registered: 2012-12-03
  • Posts: 5

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

Okay, now when I try and use it, I get the overload LED stuck on on the right side of the unit. TotalMix FX also shows that the second analog input is receiving a signal while playing music despite the fact that there is nothing but the headphones plugged into the breakout cable.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 190420.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … enshot.jpg

This has to be a hardware malfunction, right? But it doesn't make sense, since I've barely moved my Babyface at all. It's been sitting on my desk pretty much since the day I purchased it. Not to mention how I baby it given how much it cost.

I'll note that the unit doesn't get warm or hot at all.

  • Registered: 2012-12-03
  • Posts: 5

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

No one has any idea?

Is there someone or someplace I can contact about repairing/troubleshooting the unit? I'm in Florida.

  • SSP
  • New member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-12-14
  • Posts: 6

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

Hey I'm getting the same problem. I've had the UFX running USB for almost 2 years on my Intel Core 2 Duo Win 7 Machine Flawless(Asus P5qc Motherboard) Just recently bought a Asus G75VW.. And noticed that when running cubase 6 and having total mix running in the background cubase locks up and so does total mix. After further investigation I realized cubase is locking becasue total mix is open and would have to A- Restart the computer of B-unplug the UFX to restore total mix. Shortly after the laptop purchase I built a new desktop PC. With a Asus P8Z77 motherboard, an Intel Core i7 3770, with 16 GB Of Ram. I'm getting the same lock up issues on the deskop as the laptop. I'm running USB on both.. The work around has been to not have total mix open while working in cubase , but this is annoying as I use the UFX for monitor mixes.  not sure what to do here .. Is asus chipsets the problem here??

I've also tried another UFX and still getting the same problem.

Help Please  !!!

Thanks

Sam

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
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  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,674

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

Fallen Blade wrote:

Okay, now when I try and use it, I get the overload LED stuck on on the right side of the unit. TotalMix FX also shows that the second analog input is receiving a signal while playing music despite the fact that there is nothing but the headphones plugged into the breakout cable.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 190420.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … enshot.jpg

This has to be a hardware malfunction, right? But it doesn't make sense, since I've barely moved my Babyface at all. It's been sitting on my desk pretty much since the day I purchased it. Not to mention how I baby it given how much it cost.

I'll note that the unit doesn't get warm or hot at all.

Hi, can you post another screenshot of TotalMix, but this time with input 2 options shown? Click the wrench/tool icon on the channel to show these.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2012-12-03
  • Posts: 5

Re: Babyface/TotalMix FX Locking Up

Sure. I just took this a few moments ago right after it froze again. This time the red overload light on the device wasn't on though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/ … 37_656.jpg