bump....nobody interested in latency

I am definately...but still waiting on my new comp so I can give an answer.

llatht, post: 298789 wrote: I am definately...but still waiting on my new comp so I can give an answer.

What new system are you getting?
Have you been using a previous setup?
Any details to share on your experience with latency?

I use a Dell Dimension desktop with a Pentium 4 at 2.8 ghz with 2.5 gigs of ram.
Cubase sx2 and a Tascam FW 1884 with the latency value set at 64.
(I used to have only 512 mb of ram and the latency set at 256).
Since I don't have a band, I've always just overdubbed each instrument (except for drums - I use Easy Drummer).
While it's not as tight as recording a band all together, I've never really been bothered with my latency.

llatht, post: 298834 wrote: I use a Dell Dimension desktop with a Pentium 4 at 2.8 ghz with 2.5 gigs of ram.
Cubase sx2 and a Tascam FW 1884 with the latency value set at 64.
(I used to have only 512 mb of ram and the latency set at 256).
Since I don't have a band, I've always just overdubbed each instrument (except for drums - I use Easy Drummer).
While it's not as tight as recording a band all together, I've never really been bothered with my latency.

Hey there llatht:
Does you're Cubase SX2 list the input and output latency values in the Device Setup window?
I'd be interested in the numbers
I've tried 64 sample buffer but I started to get dropouts.
I have Cubase 4.5.2 with WinXP 4Gb and stays steady at 256

Yeah. It says
- Input latency 2.132 ms
- Output latency 30.113 ms

I assume the input latency is the time it takes for the audio signal to be recorded on to disk. Is that right? What the heck is output latency?
When I'm mixing down and applying plugins, I usually do take the sample buffer back up to 256, for the same reasons you stated.

llatht, post: 298873 wrote: Yeah. It says
- Input latency 2.132 ms
- Output latency 30.113 ms

I assume the input latency is the time it takes for the audio signal to be recorded on to disk. Is that right? What the heck is output latency?
When I'm mixing down and applying plugins, I usually do take the sample buffer back up to 256, for the same reasons you stated.

Thanks llatht for the post
You're input latency is nice and low, but the output seems kinda high (If that is a 30 and not a 3).....not sure if it makes a difference or if you notice any delay when you record or playback....part of the reason for this thread.....I'm trying to understand how much is acceptable and what other people are getting...

Input latency would be the time it takes for the original analog signal to be converted by the A/D and recorded. Output latency would be the reverse or the time it takes for the computer and interface hardware D/A to convert the digital signal back into analog to your speakers.
I've read that 10-15 milliseconds of latency is not typically noticeable by someone who is listening (monitoring) a track while overdubbing additional tracks. If the output latency gets to long then the singer or player could hear a noticeable delay, which can throw them off sync wise. Which is part of why I started this thread and looking to have some of the RO members post they're latency numbers and they're experiences with latency issues....

Ok, this makes sense now. I think the reason I've never had any issues with the output latency is because I don't monitor through Cubase. My monitor signal (I believe) bypasses Cubase and just goes strait through my interface, so it's actually zero latency. This was an adjustment I remember making a long time ago, because I had some serious lag before that. Thanks for the info. Hopefully more people respond.....I'm quite interested myself about this.

Yeah I was hoping more people would chime in with some feedback and numbers too...but it's looking like you and me for now! LOL

It is not a contest. Lowest latency value does not mean you win. The lower the latency the more issues that you will likely have to deal with.

The numbers really mean nothing because each audio interface, PC hardware, how each is configured, what DAW software you are using, how many plugs you are using, which plugs you are using, how many tracks are plaed or recorded at one time, what tasks you doing with with the software, even more things all play a role in latency.

Don't believe at face value the numbers that are reported from Cubase or any other software. While they canoften be pretty close, they are only best guess and can be off many MS.

In general, you many need to lower your latency value for basic recording and raise it for mixing. If it is working fine for you as it is, then there is no need to mess with it.

I also use the E-MU 1616M (among several others) and get 2ms for doing many things. Since it is rare when I need to do that, I almost never use it that low.

Thanks AudioGaff for the post
Who said anything about a contest?
all I was looking for was some numbers and some system descriptions to get an idea of what other people were using...that was it
I completely understand different systems will have different latency. That would all be part of the system description
I just thought posting the values and discussing the results or experiences would be interesting....no contest involved
but I guess my thread has no point...

I never felt like it was a contest...this is interesting to me. Sometimes when I listen to my stuff, I wonder if I'm hearing the latency's affects on it (especially since I overdub each instument). Of corse, I know we can all be over critical of our own work at times, but I've often wondered what is considered a 'good latency'.

Often times my comments are not just for the direct reply but serve as general advice statements to educate others that are reading or searching.

anything over 8ms and your screwed

djmukilteo, post: 298910 wrote: I've read that 10-15 milliseconds of latency is not typically noticeable by someone who is listening (monitoring) a track while overdubbing additional tracks. If the output latency gets to long then the singer or player could hear a noticeable delay, which can throw them off sync wise. Which is part of why I started this thread and looking to have some of the RO members post they're latency numbers and they're experiences with latency issues....

I can't tell you much specifically about latency because I monitor live sources with an analog board. However, I was hearing something wrong on playback that turned out to be record offset. After tracking bass over existing drums something didn't sound right with the feel of the song, so I measured the offset by sending a snare drum out of the interface and directly back in. It turned out that the re-recorded snare was behind by 46 samples at 48kHz sampling frequency. That's a bit less than 1ms. In other words, 1ms was audible and substantially degraded the sound. Monitoring with latency, even as low as 1ms, can't be good for the feel of the song.