Latency Issues

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:46 am

I currently run my Yamaha MG 10/2 mixer into my line in on my Compaq Presario (with AMD Athlon XP 2 GHz, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, XP, 400 Mhz Bus, 80 GB).

Other than upgrading the RAM, what other steps can I take to fix my latency issues. Disk defrag, uninstall unecessary programs... any other software options to speed it up? Any settings to mess with to make it record better (in Audacity or in Windows XP settings)

I record with Audacity, and when I am listening back and recording a track simultaneously it seems as though it stays in time for a bit, then it will slowly fall out of time (this is after the track is recorded and I'm playing the two of them back). So, I have to cut it up and slide it over in spots (and that's just not right!)

I don't have the greatest gear, but songs sound horrible when everything is not lined up and this is my first priority. Help! Should I get a firewire mixer, an all-in-one unit, update my ram, change what settings....what can I do?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and I'm playing in time - so that isn't an issue.

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:36 pm

Greetings,

You don't mention a soundcard/audio interface so I'll assume you're using the one that came with the pc, correct?

If so, that's your first priority - fix a budget, then do a search on soundcards/audio interfaces and select a few within your budget. Once you've made a shortlist, do some research into the items on it - check for things like latency, reliability and, of course, sound quality.

When you've narrowed it down to two or three, come back here and ask for opinions/experience of them to help you make your decision. Depending upon the option(s) you go for and the sales/service policy of your local retailer, you might be able to audition your selection in the comfort (and relevance) of your own home/studio. If so, let the final decision be made by your ears.

HTH

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:09 am

Hey Spy -

Yeah, I am using the stock sound card. I know upgrading this will improve my sound anyway, but I guess I didn't realize how much it would affect latency. It does make sense though... I'll be researching some products and hopefully I can find something that works for me, then I'll be back here waiting on everyone to offer any advice on my picks!

I really appreciate you taking the time to offer up advice on what probably seems like an obvious upgrade. Thanks!

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:30 pm

Latency will be terrible if using windows drivers under an onboard soundcard.

You SHOULD replace your soundcard with a pro audio one (no Creative Audigys or soundblasters as they are better suited for gaming)

One thing you could try is downloading wunschels ASIO4ALL driver. Asio drivers give much lower latency than windows mme or direct x drivers. It may or may not help.

http://www.asio4all.com/

Look at something like by M-Audio, Echo, Emu, rme, edirol, etc pci cards often have higher performance but firewire is becoming more popular with stuff like the presonus firepod and motu ultralite etc offering mulitple inputs etc. USB options are available too but are considered a little less in performance terms than PCI or firewire.

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:11 am

purebloom wrote:

I currently run my Yamaha MG 10/2 mixer into my line in on my Compaq Presario (with AMD Athlon XP 2 GHz, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, XP, 400 Mhz Bus, 80 GB).

Other than upgrading the RAM, what other steps can I take to fix my latency issues. Disk defrag, uninstall unecessary programs... any other software options to speed it up? Any settings to mess with to make it record better (in Audacity or in Windows XP settings)

I record with Audacity, and when I am listening back and recording a track simultaneously it seems as though it stays in time for a bit, then it will slowly fall out of time (this is after the track is recorded and I'm playing the two of them back). So, I have to cut it up and slide it over in spots (and that's just not right!)

I don't have the greatest gear, but songs sound horrible when everything is not lined up and this is my first priority. Help! Should I get a firewire mixer, an all-in-one unit, update my ram, change what settings....what can I do?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and I'm playing in time - so that isn't an issue.

I am not familiar with the Presario, is it a laptop? If it is you could get the Firewire version of the RME card(s). If it's a latop they make various PCI cards that have zero latency monitoring.

There are other (cheaper) cards with good ASIO drivers as well. If you don't need multi-track in/out.

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:12 am

Soarry about the typo, I meant to say "if it's NOT a laptop you can use a PCI card"

Smile

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:09 am

I wish it was a laptop... but it's not.

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