Have you ever been frustrated by the amount of delay or recording latency while trying to monitor a recording signal? Perhaps you've tried to use real time effects on a vocal track but the lag was to distracting to be useful.
In this video you'll learn the three primary areas that cause recording latency and how to address each of them.
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Dave, regarding your “multiple hard drive” solution to reduce latency:
Are you suggested that only the operating system (OS) should be on Drive #1 (or C), and that my DAW should be on Drive #2 (or D)?
Or should I install my DAW on drive C, and just point the “recording” directories to drive D? Please clarify. Thanks!
You DAW and OS on your C drive and the recording directories on the secondary fastest one.
Thanks for the tips. My interface is a ProFire610 which records in 32bit with no latency on the return playback from the DAW (so you can even use it for live performances mixed through your DAW). But it uses Firewire which is obsolete now, so I am stuck recording on an older computer that supports ieee 1394 PCI cards. My recording computer is really giving me processing fits now when it has to load AD2 or large midi plugins even with the buffering maxed out (which is creating latency issues for the first time). I’ll keep fooling with it using this video’s info, but one workaround I found for tracking is to create a copy of your project with the midi tracks and any heavy FX tracks mixed down to wav files instead. Tracking is seamless at that point even on resource-low machines. Then you can always import your recorded audio tracks back into your main project with midi and FX, and mix with the buffer maxed out.
Thanks for so much for this vid. I have an interface that does not have direct monitoring so the latency when adding a reverb is always a hassle. This info gives me options
Cheers
RD
Hi Dave. Very Helpful info. When using two or three hard drives on a system, should I Install DAW software on the O.S. drive or the second drive with recorded audio data, or should I keep all three on separate drives?
I’d keep the DAW on the OS drive, its always best to seperate the audio capturing from programing. This is where the performance increase really comes from. Audio data takes a fast drive to begin with, making the same drive grab audio and process the DAW/OS is where performance can decrease.
Thanks Dave. I really appreciate it.
Again Struggling to understand, what my computer can handle not being a windows user anymore..I went to mac in the last 3 months and using Presonus studio one Pro and Presonus studio Live board for interface with a fat channel. Which looks like I can use the fat channel for monitoring and help with latency? I haven’t seen a buffer setting yet, doesn’t look like I have that. In Audio Setup there is a Device Block Size Which if I change from 512 to 256 samples the Latency goes down. If that is buffer than that is it… I’m so green at this if you can’t tell I’m struggling. Your teaching is great and informative thanks..I’m doing this course and trying to learn Presonus stuff also..I’m going to write a song, Strugglers Blues
Hi John, no problem at all with your question, happy to help. Bottom line on Mac, and your setup, yes the DEvice Block Size in Studio One is basically your buffer settings. With a Presonus interface on PC, there are more settings in the VSL mixer, under setup so not sure if you have this with your setup or not?
Dave, spot on info once again. You are a good instructor and put things in terms that many newbs can grasp and reminds us oldies things we might have forgotten. Good job bro!
Hi Dave, another great video, I’m sure you can help me with the following.
I use Reaper mainly for mixing and mastering and I have recently bought a new pc and everything works just fine except when I pause playback on the full mix and then continue the playback it is slightly out of time, I have to go back to the start of the project to get it all in time again….any suggestions?
Mike
Hi Mike, aside from all the tips on performance I’ve mentioned in this video there is one other thing you might try. I’m wondering if a specific plugin/virtual instrument might not be the cause. I’d trying disabling all my FX bins and then see if the problem stops. If so, you can then enable your FX 1 at a time till the issue comes back and you’ll know the cause then.
Gee, I asked a question a while back that asked what my best options were with what I had, and if I should use pad on my interface, and go through my Mackie Pro FX12. This covered very well all of my questions then. It hit right where I was needing the boost as just today I was hitting problems with the latency on a drum track. The other questions that I have now which are not covered here(Not Important)is why does it seem on my Mackie that the built in USB connection, and the input level not seem to work right alone? It’s better, and easier to use an interface than the built in USB. Then there is this that bugs me. How long do you think it’s going to be, before the industry of music products, wake up, and realize there is a USB 3.0, and by the time they make an improvement at the rate I see them going,there will probably be USB 9.0 :)
I hear ya on the USB 3.0. nothing we can do about that till the industry catches up, if they ever do ;). On an interface vs USB mixer. It all depends on your needs. A USB mixer simply has an internal audio interface so the differences come by way of preamps, and often times sample/bit rate support. Most low end USB mixers only record a single stereo or dual mono outputs as well. Also, most USB mixer input levels are set both by the channel, the channel output fader and the often the master fader.
Thank You David for all the help you have been so far, I am just getting past the initial learning curve for Traction. My first interface was the Mobile pre with pro tools LE which Pro tools for some reason never worked right. I recently bought the Behringer UMC202HD. I like it as it has the direct monitoring and phones volume. I have a live wire headphone amp that I am going to use with that great tip you gave me here about using Monitor out on my Mackie pro when I am recording with others. I also was able to get a lot out of the article on compression. Thanks again. I am on fixed disability income, but when and if I can purchase your program it’s number 1 and the only one I believe that will be well worth the investment. I was putting all of your tips to the test last night and they are 100% on.
Great Michael! Thanks a bunch for taking the time to comment.
Thank you so much for posting such useful info on your site. I live out in the boonies and don’t have cable. I’m restricted to 10 G’s a month data on our plan. Otherwise, I would have joined your course and would watch more of your videos. I get a peek now and then, which I’m thankful for. God bless, Bob Keep up the awesome work!
Hello Dave,
Though I usually do not do such, I want to take a moment to thank you for being here for all of us.
I have chosen to say ‘all of us’ because I began following you when I was starting up a handyman service – with no start up capitol!!! Needless to say, even though I could not afford to buy into a training course, I was still able to find information – through your efforts – that allowed me to continue my pursuit.
After reaching multiple online sites that offer similar services, I was able to go to my wife and explain to her why I clearly felt that I should take advantage of a sale that you offered and invest in my knowledge. Thus, I became a member of your course in 2015!
Just as in any other business, I know that at times, it even gets rough for you… However, I want to encourage you to keep on doing what you are doing. Though your site is not the only one of its kind that I visit, HOMEMUSICSTUDIO1.COM is where I turn for my final decisions.
Your home is forever in my prayers, Lawless.
Wow Lawless! Thank you so much for you kind words. I’m super happy to have been able to be a help to you and many other in the HMS1 community.
God Bless, Dave
Great info. Thanks. Just discussing this with a friend last night.
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