In this guide, we will show you how to optimize network settings for your music production computer. These tips are great for the studio or live sound, but just as effective for your everyday wireless router. Follow each of the sections below to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wireless routers maintain a wireless access point to a network. All-in-one wireless routers are common and need to be positioned so that all necessary devices can easily connect. For instance, a three-story house may benefit from a single wireless router positioned on the first floor, center of the house as possible. This will distribute the wireless router\u2019s range equally throughout the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walls, ceilings, and floors will impede the wireless access point because of their reflective surface area and mass. If you have a poor Wi-Fi connection, first assess that the computer is operating in a viable wireless access point area. If not, you may need to adjust the location of the wireless router. Moving the computer is typically not an option, so connecting to the router with a hard-wired Ethernet connection may be necessary for ideal results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many, but not all, wireless routers and Wi-Fi cards have external antennas. In addition to its location, each antenna needs to be positioned in a V shape pointing upward (not outward)<\/em>. This helps the transmission of its radio frequencies (aka Wi-Fi)<\/em>. Keep the antenna away from enclosed or reflective surfaces for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Networks are hosted over a server and usually connected by switches or routers. Networks prefer to be started first, and then have the interconnected devices powered on once the network is running. So if you have multiple devices connected to a network, try powering on the network before anything else, letting it first configure itself. Once ready, power on and connect with the other devices. If you\u2019re having issues with your network, try refreshing or resetting the router\/network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Refreshing a network is essentially restarting it. We recommend doing both when troubleshooting network connections<\/a>, but beware that resetting the network will require all prior connected devices to reconnect. You may also need to rename or reconfigure the network name, password, or other settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your wireless router\/network can be refreshed, but so can your connecting device. Another way to reset the connection is to power off Wi-Fi on your device and then power it back on. Allow a pause before reconnecting so that the network has enough time to detect the changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having an active Wi-Fi connection creates a load for the computer\u2019s processor. This typically is not an issue but can be problematic when the Wi-Fi connection starts to interfere with your music production software. This can happen with CPU demanding software, like DAW or virtual instruments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Disabling Wi-Fi or using a wired connection may help. Connecting to the Ethernet port provides greater data bandwidth and is less taxing on the CPU. That doesn\u2019t mean to stream 1,000 HD movies simultaneously while recording in your DAW, rather an alternate network option if the Wi-Fi connection negatively affects CPU performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In order for devices on a network to identify and communicate with each other, they need to receive IP addresses. It\u2019s like giving a number (IP address)<\/em> to each house (device)<\/em> on the street (Wi-Fi network)<\/em>. If you connect devices, like a digital mixer or audio interface with network features, these IP addresses must be correctly assigned to each device to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Wi-Fi routers are preconfigured for automatic IP address assignment, called DHCP<\/strong> (Dynamic Host Communication Protocol)<\/em>. A device must be configured for DHCP to connect to the wireless router and receive an IP address. While DHCP can make things easier by automatically assigning IP addresses, you may prefer to assign them manually. Manual IP assignment <\/strong>(or static)<\/em> uses manually selected (fixed)<\/em> IP addresses and can help resolve network communication issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes the network doesn\u2019t connect right and might need troubleshooting. Find more solutions below for PC<\/a> and Mac<\/a>. IMPORTANT!<\/strong> Resetting the network adapter should only <\/em>be performed if the steps above didn\u2019t work. After performing the Network reset, you will need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password and also reinstall any additional networking software you may have, such as VPN\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The network, or Wi-Fi icon, shows up on your menu bar, usually the top right. If the icon is not displayed, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019re not connected to the network, it just means the \u201cdisplay icon\u201d checkbox isn\u2019t checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Changing the port priority determines the default network your apps use. This will impact web browsers the most, and usually happens when you need to connect to a wireless network and wired network at the same time. The key is to set the one with an internet connection as the first service. This allows standard apps to access the web features, while your other app can still access the wireless network for synchronization, remote control, or file sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not using a Thunderbolt connection but not using it\u2019s networking feature, you can disable that feature in the Network settings. This helps prevent intermittent issues that may occur with multiple active network services. Do not disable this feature if you are actively using the Thunderbolt connection for networking purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make service inactive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Remove service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your Mac\u2019s Network settings can be recalled as Locations<\/strong>. This is useful when you use the Ethernet port to connect at different locations, but they have different configuration settings (Manual vs. DHCP)<\/em>. If you have a similar need, use this feature to create Network \u201cpresets\u201d so that you don\u2019t need to reconfigure each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2.4Ghz vs. 5Ghz wireless access points<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRefresh or reset the network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Turn the device’s Wi-Fi off and on<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Disable Wi-Fi on the computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIP address assignment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWi-Fi and network troubleshooting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nPC Wi-Fi troubleshooting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Launch the Network troubleshooter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Repair and reset Windows network settings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
netsh winsock reset <\/code>and press Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>netsh int ip reset<\/code> <\/em>and press Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>ipconfig \/release<\/code> <\/em>and press Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>ipconfig \/renew <\/code>and press Enter<\/strong>.<\/li>ipconfig \/flushdns <\/code>and press Enter<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nReinstall network adapter driver<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Uninstall network adapter driver and restart<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Reset the network<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMac Wi-Fi troubleshooting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wi-Fi icon does not show up<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Set service order<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Disable Thunderbolt networking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Location<\/h4>\n\n\n\n