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Topic: Sharing the audio device (Read 6497 times) previous topic - next topic

Sharing the audio device

I have a new problem, and I don't know whether it is due to
my new version of Windows (95 instead of 3.1) or to my new
version of NoteWorthy (1.50 instead of 1.31).

Before, the audio device was only reserved and used by
NoteWorthy when playing the song (key F5 or click on Play).
It was possible to compose a song with NoteWorthy (but not
to play it) while another program used the audio device.

Now, I have various problems when I try to launch NoteWorthy
and, say, Winamp at the same time.

1) If NoteWorthy is running (and not playing) and I try to
launch Winamp, then I have a message "Could not initialize
audio: Audio device already in use"

2) When Winamp is playing and I try to launch NoteWorthy,
I may have several different behaviours.
2.1) Message "Abnormal Program"
2.2) Message "GDI failure"
2.3) NoteWorthy runs, and then I can even click on "Play"
and hear both "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Winamp and "Warm
up" by NoteWorthy ! (I call this a "table de mixage"
in french, maybe "mixing table" in english ?)

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #1 –
Goto Tools, Options, then the MIDI Tab. Set Port Usage to "While Playing" and NWC will never access your MIDI ports until you press the Play or Record buttons. However, in this case, you will lose step entry MIDI input (if you are using an external MIDI keyboard).

The varying type of failures that you currently experience may also indicate a problem in your MIDI drivers. Did you upgrade a current machine to Windows 95? If so, you may want to see if newer MIDI drivers are available for your sound card (if you have not done so already). Check with your computer/soundcard manufacturer for details.

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #2 –
Thank you for your answer. I will change this MIDI option.

About your last question, I forgot to say that I also
changed my computer (from a Pentium 90 to a Pentium 233)
and I suppose that the last MIDI driver came with this
new computer/soundcard. But I will also try and see with my
manufacturer.

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #3 –
A last question on this subject.

Suppose that I have the last MIDI driver (*the* good driver),
that I don't set Port Usage to "While Playing", and that I
launch NoteWorthy while the audio port is busy. What should
be the correct behaviour for NoteWorthy ? An error message ?
If any, which message ?

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #4 –
If a MIDI port fails to open in NWC, the error message:

"One or more of your selected MIDI devices are failing to open.

Would you like to go to the MIDI options tab to investigate?"

Respond "Yes" if you want to find the problem, which in your case is the fact the another program is using the port, and the port's driver does not allow multiple programs to use it simultaneously.

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #5 –
And what if you respond "No"?

Re: Sharing the audio device

Reply #6 –
If you answer "No" then the error is ignored (you are not taken to the options area to find and correct it).