USB 3, Windows 8.1, So frustrating

OK, I've done just about everything I can think of on this machine (Brand new Dell) and nothing works.

Ren driver introduces unusable, unsyncable latency.

Computer comes with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.

Installed into onboard USB 2.0, doesn't work. Can't figure out, from BIOS, how to completely disable 3.0.

Installed ASIO4ALL Driver, which solves latency problem, but I can't get any output from the MPC Software. (Works when not running MPC Software though).

Disabled all on board audio in BIOS.

Got rid of latency, but clicks and pops after a few seconds.

Also, goes haywire when I link a keyboard/module to REN via USB.

Not sure what else I can do, but let's just say after 2 days wasted, I'm ready to throw in the towel.

Just taking you through the paces here...

Have you properly upgraded the firmware on your REN?

Have you updated all of your Win 8 drivers?

Software installed properly?

Best advice: DO NOT USE A USB 3.0 PORT for ANYTHING REN RELATED.

Firmware upgraded, check.

Software installed properly, check.

Not sure what you mean about the Win 8 drivers. You mean the ASIO drivers for the Ren?

Also, where are the updated drivers at for Win 8? I only see updated Mac drivers on the Akai site.

Well You can leave your onboard audio alone. The Ren should switch to default audio device upon connection. So restore that...

Next use that USB 2.0 port and power up the REN.

No bueno.

Sounds like a hardware issue brother. You might wanna see about another unit. Do you have issues with anything else via USB?

OK, I think I've got it worked out (although I don't know what I did, lol);

I have it working perfectly on the Mac, so I know the hardware is good.

There are additional settings in the ASIO version of the MPC software that aren't there in the MAC version. You have to make additional settings for any USB keyboards you have connected to the MPC, this is what caused the sync problem.

I will say though, I'm pretty upset that on this new fast machine, (i7 w 8gb ram) in the USB 2.0 port, my latency is 512, whereas on the 2009 Macbook, much slower machine, I can get it down to 64.

Will probably have to tweak windows settings some more.

It doesn't matter whether you use a 2.0 port or a 3.0 port. if the 3.0 driver is active you will get terrible sync problems. I have to jump in every thread to clear this up because people who do not have experience with this problem constantly tell users to just use a 2.0 port, but that won't fix anything!

the ideal solution is to turn the intel usb 3.0 driver off in your bios, but OP has already tried this. not all computers will let you.

the next best solution, and it's certainly not 'best', would be to use a different audio interface with the REN. that's essentially what you're already doing OP when you use ASIO4ALL, except asio4all is a virtual asio interface with no hardware ins or outs.

Fdodds Is right regarding this. IF you cant force your system to run in usb 2.0 mode via bios, then your only solution that us users have found is getting another audio interface..

I have stumbled across this from another forum.....

http://usbaudio.com/support.html

Check the info about intel speedstep. I can't test it now, but maybe you can soultrane28.. It basically says to turn it out... Again a bios thing.

soultrane28 wrote:I will say though, I'm pretty upset that on this new fast machine, (i7 w 8gb ram) in the USB 2.0 port, my latency is 512, whereas on the 2009 Macbook, much slower machine, I can get it down to 64.

Will probably have to tweak windows settings some more.

That is the differences I found between windows an a mac for music making. Windows I don't feel it reliable. The same way I wouldn't use mac for my job, 3d, I wouldn't use windows for music...of course that is my opinion.
Glad you solved your problem.

the mac/pc debate doesnt belong here, but your claim that macs are better for music is facile and is an argument that has persisted long after it stopped being true.

Macs are just as likely to suffer problems with hardware compatibility, just as likely to introduce updates that break software, and MORE likely to update/remove/change the shape of hardware ports and drop backwards compatibility.

All computers are unreliable.

I didn't try to, that's why I said that it was my opinion, my taste. And what you said is completly true...all are unreliable.