Recording Latency

[blown240]

Does anybody here know about recording?

My buddy came over last night and we were playing around with recording and there was a big problem with latency.  When we tried to record a second track, there was a full second of latency between tracks.

Here is our setup:

Newer Macbook Pro running Protools HD 8  4 gigs of ram
Carvin 16 channel USB mixer

I am sure the computer is fast enough, since I have recorded with alot less in the past.  I am wondering if our problem is that a USB interface isnt fast enough.   I dont want to go buy a firewire setup if that isnt the problem.

Any Thoughts?

[EL34]

In my recording sotware, you can set the number of buffers, etc and get the latency figure down
How much latency are you talking about > 100ms?

Describe exactly your recording chain?

[blown240]

I would guess the latency is 500ms give or take.  Its ALOT!!

Recording chain:

Telecaster
15' cable
Carvin Mixer
USB Cable
Macbook Pro 4 gigs of ram
Protools HD 8 with XVX

Even with the buffer all the way down to 60 I get some latency.  And at 60, the computer locks up after about 20 seconds.

[rafe]

I don't even know what muber of buffer or latency means   I can't help......

EL34: Me either, I spelled mumber er number wrong.

[Ritchie200]

USB interface-anything on recording sucks the milliseconds.  I have an M-Audio USB interface that I have pronounced an expensive royal POS.  The only way to do it is record with headphones and move the track to match when finished - it sucks.  Maybe I am missing something, but that is the best I can do.  That is also adjusting the buffer for the least amount.  There are other, more talented, recording dudes here so maybe they will weigh in.  I do think firewire is the way to go.

Jim

[overtone]

I will try to give some pointers but I'm no expert. I suspect the problem is either the USB mixer, or where you are listening from.

I listen with headphones through a Native Instruments Session (Guitar Rig) interface, not the computer. By some kind of electric trickery it gives me the signal before the computer slows it all down. I have now idea how, but it works fine, no shifting tracks around. (USB connection surprisingly)

This is a real minefield and in the end I decided to go with a well tried combination of the Native Instruments Session interface into MacBookPro. It worked fine into a PC too.

The full set up is:
six string>tube amp>palmer 03 instead of speakers>NI Session>MacBookPro>Logic Studio
Best, tony

[EL34]

I record with a USB 2.0 M-Audio Fast Track Ultra and it works just fine

Make sure your recording software is using ASIO drivers and not some other really slow source

The ASIO drivers that came with your mixer must be installed
You want the most current ones from the manufactuers web site

Once you have the ASIO drivers installed, choose those drivers in pro tools
Using ASIO drivers, the latency should be really low

Is this USB 2.0 device?

Also, your computer must be not choked to death with bloatware running in the background all the time

[blown240]

The computer has nothing running in the back ground.  I will see if carvin has any drivers, but I doubt they do.  We tried plugging the headphones in anywhere we could and it did effect the latency, but it was always there.

I used to have a DIGI002 and that was great, but unfortunately it went when the band broke up.  I may have to save up for another.

[EL34]

All USB sound devices should come with drivers

You want the ASIO drivers made for your device

I usually go right to the Web site and get the latest versions rather than install from a disc that comes with a device

[bigsbybender]

I had the same problems with my HP laptop with Protools 8 so I switched to my Macbook and had no problems. I've since built a Windows based tower dedicated to recording that didn't have any latency issues. 

[PRR]

> You want the ASIO drivers made for your device

ASIO is universal; and free to people.

http://www.asio4all.com/

They probably charge companies for right to re-brand and re-distribute.

[EL34]

ASIO is universal; and free to people.

Yes, you can use those, I have used them before
But, if the manufacturer makes their own ASIO drivers for your device, I would use those

[RicharD]

I think Doug nailed in the first response.  Balance those buffers.

[EL34]

What, muber of buffer 

Just fixed my spelling error

[sluckey]

In my recording sotware, you can set the nunber of buffers, etc and get the latency figure down
How much latency are you talking about > 100ms?

Describe exactly your recording chain?

You ain't got it right yet! But nunber is close. 

[EL34]

nunber, mumber, fi - fi -fo - fumber 

[rafe]

Though she was born a long long time ago ...your muber should know, your muber should know....
  That typo really cracked me up for some reason, like you typed it with a mouth full of crackers...

[EL34]

Cracked me up too!
I did not even see it or your reply till the other day

[Ritchie200]

I thought it was a new ASIO standard!

Jim