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Johnny Blade 5 November 2017

Hello everybody!

So, I have bought the newest T-Racks 5 and I have experienced a subtle delay in the response of its VST plugins.

Could someone please tell me the best possible configuration to avoid this problem in Samplitude?

For example, is VIP object buffer 1024 better/faster than 4096?

Is there some Buffer "OPTIMAL SETTINGS" for Samplitude in this case?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

pcrecord Mon, 11/06/2017 - 02:58

You want the smallest buffer size as possible to avoid latency when recording tracks with realtime effects or Vsti.
But when your project gets filled with effects, it may not cope with the workload so you might have to put it higher to mix / master

Your optimal buffer size will depend on your interface (its drivers) and computer performances. Also every services and prog in memory can prevent you for using lower buffer size effectively.
Antivirus programs are notorious in making music software fail.

I usually start at 128 and try lower.. if it crashes too often I go higher. When mastering many songs, I may go up to 1024. But that's me with my setup !!

DonnyThompson Tue, 11/07/2017 - 02:46

You may also want to look at your extended buffer settings - beyond the normal play/record settings. In Samplitude, on thebtrack/timeline view (not the mixer view) press "Y" on your keyboard, this will bring up your menu for settings for everything. Choose "extended buffers", and make sure that those settings match your regular buffer settings.
Also, if your interface has a software menu, depending on which one it is, you might want to change the values there as well to the same you've chosen in the Samp settings menu.
FWIW

DonnyThompson Tue, 11/07/2017 - 11:21

Stay away from cheap audio cards that are designed for low quality use. Realtek, SoundBlaster, Conexant, are examples of these. The converters are as cheap as they come, they are noisy, and very often will not support higher sampling or bit resolutions, at least not with any decent quality.
There are high quality audio cards, but Soundblasters and the other cheap ones mentioned aren't even close to those. If your budget is tight, You are far better off to get into a dedicated preamp/audio interface, something like a Focusrite or Presonus USB device; 2 channel, XLR/Balanced, which will interface with your computer effortlessly, as long as you have an open USB slot.
Ultimately, the quality will, of course, depend on your budget. I'm not saying that these 2 suggestions are the only devices available, because they are not. You have options. I just mentioned these because they are very decent for the price ( $100 US or so), and will be light-years better in quality over the cards designed for gaming and internet/youtube stuff.
True mastering is done with very high quality audio devices - great preamps, and with great converter systems, using top notch monitors, in a room that has been acoustically balanced.
But if you just want to get into doing it in your home studio, one of those models I mentioned above - and your Samplitude program - will get you going, with much greater quality, and far less hassles.
-d.

pcrecord Tue, 11/07/2017 - 11:37

Johnny Blade, post: 453936, member: 50338 wrote: All I want to do is mastering in computer!

Mastering calls for the best of the best of the best, Sir ! With honors !
The most critical things you shouldn't cheaping out is the converters, the monitors and the room acoustics.
Everything else can go on a decent budget but not those.
My humble opinion.

Unless we talk about learning which should be done on anything you can.. ;)

Johnny Blade Tue, 11/07/2017 - 12:00

OK!

A close friend has a large, comfortable studio in his big house. A group of friends are constantly recording there and they make the necessary mixes, but no one has the patience to master. The task always ends up being left to me, but my resources basically boil down to a handful of very well-configured computers, without, however, a good audio card or something that equals it.

They sing, dub, make music for hobby, and I transform their hobby into uncompromising CDs.

After a long time limited to the same resources, we are striving to improve the quality of all work, from recording to mastering.

The studio is being severely modernized, so it's my turn to collaborate...

Although it's all a hobby among friends, since the most we've ever done are a few gigs in bars and other studios - not for profit - the fact is we're all getting old but eager to make a leap in quality.

Thank you all for the advices and suggestions!

Very useful for someone like me, who can not even be qualified as amateur... :oops:

DonnyThompson Tue, 11/07/2017 - 14:54

I always encourage younger engineers to try new things, to challenge themselves, to improve their knowledge and skills.
In this case -actually in pretty much all cases but especially this one - cheap gear will only get you so far. Good quality gear -audio interface, preamps, converters, monitors and a well balanced listening environment - are necessary to get quality results. That's not to say you shouldn't do it, you should .. but know that there will come a time when your own knowledge and skill will be limited by the lower cost gear you are working with. ;)

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