There are two main reasons for not getting audio when using BFD 3: Audio Setup, and proper File Management. This article will discuss the causes and solutions for this issue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Audio Setup
BFD 3 is a Pro Audio program, meaning that it is going to be somewhat taxing on your computer system. Because of this, we recommend that users are using an audio driver that is built to handle audio processing efficiently.
A Driver is simply a program that allows a computer to interact with hardware that is connected. In this case, we need an Audio Driver to help the computer convert the information produced by this program into an audible sound that can be played back by the speakers.
If you own a sound card or audio interface, then the drivers should be acceptable for use with this program.
Windows Audio Setup (Driver Required)
First, we will want to make sure that your Windows computer is equipped with an Audio Driver that is able to handle the playback of this program. As stated above, if you have a dedicated Audio Interface/Sound Card then it should have no problem. But if not, we will want to install new drivers.
The built-in audio drivers included with most Windows computers are fine for casual playback, but will not work well with BFD 3. As stated in the manual, users should install ASIO4ALL drivers if they do not have an audio interface. ASIO4ALL brings low-latency, professional audio drivers to any Windows computer for free.
If you do not have ASIO4ALL drivers installed already, visit the website here: ASIO4ALL Official Home once you have downloaded the version in the correct language, you will find it in your downloads folder.
Go there, and run the installer.
Once the installer is finished, it is a good idea to restart the computer. While you may not be prompted to, restarting is a good habit to get into when installing new drivers to your system.
Once you have finished installing ASIO4ALL drivers, start BFD 3 as a standalone program.
Next, let's set up our Audio Preferences. Go to Options>Audio Preferences>Audio Device and choose ASIO: ASIO4ALL V2. Depending on your computer's specifications, you can choose an appropriate samplerate. If not using an Audio Interface, 41000 - 48000 should do just fine. This is CD quality.
Opening the ASIO panel will allow you to change the Buffer Size (seen below). The buffer size is the amount of time between when you trigger a note (via MIDI, or by pressing the note with your mouse), and when you hear the audio of that sound. This is also dependent on your computer's specifications, namely: processing power.
The higher the buffer size, the less stress on the computer, but the greater the latency between when you trigger a note and hear it.
The lower the buffer size, the more responsive the sounds will play, but the greater the stress is on the computer.
The most common identifier that your Buffer Size is too low, is clicks and pops that sometimes get worse and worse until it is heard as a "digital distortion."
Note: When using BFD in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) the program will follow the audio preferences of the DAW.
Mac Audio Setup
Mac computers are already well-optimized for processing audio, so user's can use the Core Audio: Built-in inputs and outputs. If using the program as a standalone instrument, not within a DAW, click on the BFD icon in the top left-hand corner and choose Preferences> Audio Settings. Then choose Core Audio: Built-in input and output as seen below. Note: If using this program as a plugin inside a DAW, these preferences will not e available, as the program will follow the settings of the DAW's preferences.
The Buffer Size is the amount of time between when you trigger a note (via MIDI, or by pressing the note with your mouse), and when you hear the audio of that sound. This is also dependent on your computer's specifications, namely: processing power.
The higher the buffer size, the less stress on the computer, but the greater the latency between when you trigger a note and hear it.
The lower the buffer size, the more responsive the sounds will play, but the greater the stress on the computer.
The most common identifier that your Buffer Size is too low, is clicks and pops that sometimes get worse and worse until it is heard as a "digital distortion."
Proper File Management
The other common issue we see is that users have not installed the content. Or installed the content incorrectly.
BFD 3 comes with two downloads found in the BFD License Manager, a smaller BFD Software Installer, and a larger BFD3 Content Installer. One could install the software only, and still be able to open it. But would not hear any sound until the Core Audio Content or an Expansion is installed. The Core Audio Content is installed using the BFD3 Content Installer and is the BFD 'sound library.'
BFD 3 Software should be installed to the default location on your local drive, and not moved after.
We recommend that the Core Audio Library and all of your BFD Expansions be installed in one master audio content folder, preferably on an external SSD. You can call this folder BFD Audio Content, or something similar. Note: this folder should be different than the one that the BFD software is installed to on your computer, and different from the folder to which the BFD installers are downloaded to.
Be sure that you have installed your content as laid out in this guide: BFD3 | How Do I Install My BFD 3 Content and Expansions?
The most obvious sign that the Audio Content has not been installed or the drive that you installed it to is not connected, are Yellow Triangles (Seen below). These will show up when you drag a kit from the presets area, onto the drums in the middle of the screen and the program cannot find the audio data.
When this happens, be sure that you have installed the Audio Content according to the guide above, and be sure that drive on which the content is installed is connected to the computer.