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9524
April 11th, 2018 19:00
Ethernet Connection for Avid C24
I have a new Alienware Area 51 R5 with the Killer Ethernet card. I also run a recording studio and my console, An Avid C24 Communicates with my Alien via Ethernet. In the past, I could either plug it in directly to an Ethernet port or into my Router and the Pro Tools software would find it and connect. It is a control surface that allows me to control my Pro Tools software. Since moving from a Mac Pro to my new Alien, I haven't been able to get it to connect. I have moved it back to the Mac and it works. I have tried it both directly with a crossover cable, with a normal cable and into various ports like in the router and into a Ethernet switch and even a USB to Ethernet adapter to no avail. I've been searching the forums, contacted Support at Sweetwater sound, Avid, the manufacturer of Pro Tools and Killer.
I feel that it must be something to do with Windows 10 or the alien bios. One person suggested disabling Safe Boot and another said to run the program as the administrator. That didn't work but it looked like I can't simply run my pc with Safe Boot disabled with out having to re-install everything and I would like to avoid that.
If you have any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. I am a novas but I have 4 Alienware computers and just prefer them over the mac I was using.
thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Gary Kesling
gary_kesling
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April 13th, 2018 11:00
Sweetwater Tech support suggests trying a different PCIe Ethernet Card. No one in my town seems to have one so I'll have to order one to try. Does that sound like a viable solution? I guess I'll try it. Exhausted every other option presented so far. I just feel like it is something simple that needs selected in the parameters.
Tesla1856
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April 13th, 2018 13:00
It's something to try. I would also try it ... eventually I think. If you were my personal client, we would first do TeamViewer and maybe even FaceTime. There are more things to try, but from a forum ... troubleshooting complex problems is hard. "Networking problems" like this are even harder.
Since you have proven the Avid-C24 is still operational (at least I think you did with the Mac) and if the Windows version of Pro-Tools actually works properly ... then the problem has to be with the Router or inside the Area51-R5 somewhere. If I was on-site, I bet we could get this working in an hour or so ... or at least figure-out what was happening.
Then, there is the issue that if the wired Killer-Networking NIC in the Area51-R5 is broken somehow, well, Dell needs to know so we can get it fixed ... not just for you but for the other customers. You could try other drivers, and there are various settings on the NIC itself that can be adjusted.
But yeah, in light of our current communication limitations ... and you got the Sweetwater guy eagerly helping you and suggesting that ... you probably should do it right about now.
Which one where you thinking of buying?
Tesla1856
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April 13th, 2018 14:00
Oh, OK. I didn't know they had recommended an actual make/model.
But since they did, I would definitely get that one.
gary_kesling
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April 13th, 2018 14:00
fireberd
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April 13th, 2018 14:00
I thought Sweetwater would come up with a (possible) fix. As previously noted they have bailed me out a couple of times with ProTools MP9, a defective iLok key (under warranty) and with configuring my Behringer X-Touch. But, they are primarily ProTools oriented and a good source for help.
Tesla1856
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April 13th, 2018 19:00
Hopefully, you are occasionally trying your (verified as working) special ethernet cross-over cable (direct, with no router). Connect-up just the Area51-R5 to the Avid-C24, power-cycle them, and then do your ethernet config scans in Pro-Tools.
Did the Sweetwater tech say it was ok to use an intelligent Router?
What's nice about the Router is that it allows you to login to it and see what's going on. However, I've asked you about it and never got a reply. Anyway, you don't want to use it if it's not supported or it might be blocking the communications.
Plain Ethernet Switches are different and should be fine to use ... no intelligence or config in those (at least not in the "desktop ones" you would have).
Tesla1856
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April 13th, 2018 20:00
It would be great if that recommended NIC fixes it.
However, it's not so surprising Sweetwater suggested it. Gary already thought of that and sorta went-down that road with the USB-Ethernet device he tried. But as you probably know, that's a tricky little device to get working ... so, a real PCIe NIC is a better test.
fireberd
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April 14th, 2018 03:00
Avid is not known for great support. Sweetwater Music uses and sells a lot of ProTools software and AVID hardware. They use that themselves in their recording studios and provide ProTools seminar's and after sales support.
A USB adapter isn't the best option, a PCIe card is the better way to go.
gary_kesling
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April 15th, 2018 20:00
well, a bit disappointed here. I had the recommended Ethernet card shipped over night to my studio, installed it. updated all drivers again, disabled the "Killer" Ethernet adapter. and tried it out. Spent several hours trying but no luck. Getting the same error and in the process, I am losing ground on some other issues with the studio performance. My main Plug in suite stopped being recognized. And My Midi interface stopped working with the system. Have seen some threads on Avid's site and Sweetwater that these can be attributed to the new Ethernet card and how the licenses are stored in the Cloud. I'll address these issues in the morning. Waiting to get Sweetwater's tech support back in on Monday to see what they think but getting very frustrated.
Tesla1856
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April 15th, 2018 20:00
1. I was curious, so thanks for checking in with us, but now I'm disappointed too. While I had my reservations about the new NIC fixing it (mainly because it sounded like the Killer-Networking NIC was working IN ALL OTHER WAYS) ... I was really hoping that he was right and it was going to work. :Smile:
2. Are you sure the new NIC is installed properly? Meaning, you can use the Internet with it? And the Killer-Networking NIC is truly disabled (no Internet access from that port and now disabled or missing from Device Manager).
3. Yeah, about par-of-the-course. I would not worry too much. Maybe the Sweetwater guy can help with those.
4. Interesting. Sounds like you guys know a lot, but need the help of someone who knows Windows/Mac networking real good. Sometimes it takes two different experts to get this kind-of-stuff working.
5. Right. Be sure to ask him if it's OK to use a Router. Meaning ... the Windows Computer and the AVID-C24 are both connected to it. Basicaly, are you allowed to access the Internet in a browser and use AVID-C24 at the same time?
6. I know, but try not to. Try to think of it as a big puzzle. You like puzzles right? :Smile: Try to stay positive. We will figure something out.
fireberd
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April 16th, 2018 05:00
I don't have anything to add, but I'm watching this with interest to see how it finally plays out.
There are a lot of Ethernet connected (or able to connect via Ethernet) recording devices. I've avoided them just for the potential to have problems.
gary_kesling
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April 16th, 2018 06:00
Hi again,
1. I'm, responding with the new NIC now. So, yes it is working.
gonna get back on the phone with sweetwater this morning and let them know the new card didn't help.
fireberd
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April 17th, 2018 03:00
Any update?
To be truthful, I would have went to StudioCat, who custom builds commercial DAW and Video systems. For the price of the Alienware he (Jim Roseberry) would build a system that would be guaranteed to work with your AVID hardware and software.
http://www.studiocat.com/opencart2/
gary_kesling
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April 17th, 2018 12:00
I had never heard of that company and in the past, Alienware has served me well with my video editing and I use an Alien laptop for my dj work and it has been great. I now own 4. plus 2 macs. as far is an update. I have everything running except this C24 communication issue and I am waiting to hear back from Sweetwater and or Avid on it. Trying to move on with my work and be patient.
fireberd
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April 17th, 2018 14:00
StudioCat (Purrfect Audio/Jim Roseberry and his associates) has been around for many years. Jim is very knowledgeable about all recording and PC phases. They built all of the Sweetwater PC's for many years. They build systems for commercial TV Video processing and for large audio recording studios.
From their web site, some clients:
Our clients include: