What can I do to improve my Input/Output/Overall Latency?

[Cell 2Dee]

I've got a bog standard laptop.

Main specs are -
Intel Core Duo Processor T7100 @ 1.87GHz
2gb RAM
150gb Hard Drive
Trying to find out the make of soundcard ain't easy, I keep getting 'High Definition Audio Device'.

I want to improve my latency as I've just started using AL7 and the shit is lagging and stuttering etc. Is there a way to improve it without going out and buying a new set-up?

 

[2GooD Productions]

I've got a bog standard laptop.

Main specs are -
Intel Core Duo Processor T7100 @ 1.87GHz
2gb RAM
150gb Hard Drive
Trying to find out the make of soundcard ain't easy, I keep getting 'High Definition Audio Device'.

I want to improve my latency as I've just started using AL7 and the shit is lagging and stuttering etc. Is there a way to improve it without going out and buying a new set-up?

I had alot of trouble like that until i upgraded to an asio soundcard.
Latency was always a problem with the old sb live card, getting an asio card stopped all that trouble
You can find out what soundcard you have by visiting the laptop manufacturer website, the chances are the soundcard is built into the laptops motherboard and isnt asio compatible.

 

[Cell 2Dee]

I had alot of trouble like that until i upgraded to an asio soundcard.
Latency was always a problem with the old sb live card, getting an asio card stopped all that trouble
You can find out what soundcard you have by visiting the laptop manufacturer website, the chances are the soundcard is built into the laptops motherboard and isnt asio compatible.

I think it is built in, yeah. Is there no way I can upgrade to an ASIO soundcard? External maybe?

 

[Schizo-Manic]

true get that ASIO4ALL driver its a free download

http://www.asio4all.com/

 

[P_1]

an External would be a good choice although ive had experience with a simliar setup myself. it still had a little latency because the computer couldnt handle the info as quick as i wanted it to be. i upgraded to a desktop with 3ghz and and even without an asio soundcard that helped alot. i did, however, added an emu 1820m internal soundcard and that just made it seamless.

 

[2GooD Productions]

Yes you can get an external asio card, there are many to choose from

 

[Shonsteez]

All of the EMU stuff is AISO, pretty sure AISO is the standard these days for PC drivers on any soundcard now tho.

 

[savage_g]

Pretty much any firewire external will be asio. Firewire seems to be better than USB for audio bandwidth too.

Take it you don't have a desktop you can work on? Cos I got a M-Audio delta PCI card kicking about that you could have for next to nothing.

 

[Cell 2Dee]

Pretty much any firewire external will be asio. Firewire seems to be better than USB for audio bandwidth too.

Take it you don't have a desktop you can work on? Cos I got a M-Audio delta PCI card kicking about that you could have for next to nothing.

Unfortunately I don't. I may get one in future though, depending on things.

 

[krysolite]

make sure the sound buffer size for the program isn't too high. when ur laying down the notes or w/e u can reduce it a bit. but if u wana mix it down with a higher buffer size, u need more ram, better sound card. get more ram first. u can pick up memory at future shop or best buy or anywhere for pretty cheap when it goes on sale. 2gb sticks for 34.99 sometimes here (canada).

 

[MagnaOpera]

make sure the sound buffer size for the program isn't too high. when ur laying down the notes or w/e u can reduce it a bit. but if u wana mix it down with a higher buffer size, u need more ram, better sound card. get more ram first. u can pick up memory at future shop or best buy or anywhere for pretty cheap when it goes on sale. 2gb sticks for 34.99 sometimes here (canada).

i'm running a desktop with 1gb ram and I have absolutely no latency. whatsoever.

 

[LDB]

i'm running a desktop with 1gb ram and I have absolutely no latency. whatsoever.

This stalker doesn't have any gear! It's easy to have "absolutely no latency whatsoever" when you pencil your beats in with a mouse.

Dumb Ass!

 

[Step Soprano]

This stalker doesn't have any gear! It's easy to have "absolutely no latency whatsoever" when you pencil your beats in with a mouse.

Dumb Ass!

lmao... harsh, but deintiely the fuckin truth... muthafuckas needa quit usin themselves as example when they runnin the point and click method... shit worthless to erybody... u need a better computer cell2dee... not hatin on u man, i kno how it is where u at music wise... but ur wastin ur time unless u willin to upgrade to a better computer with better sound card. IT will never sound good without em. Not hatin on u man, its a lesson we all learn. but its true. UPGRADE

 

[2GooD Productions]

lmao... harsh, but deintiely the fuckin truth... muthafuckas needa quit usin themselves as example when they runnin the point and click method... shit worthless to erybody... u need a better computer cell2dee... not hatin on u man, i kno how it is where u at music wise... but ur wastin ur time unless u willin to upgrade to a better computer with better sound card. IT will never sound good without em. Not hatin on u man, its a lesson we all learn. but its true. UPGRADE

word, upgrading to my Audiophile card from my Soundblaster platinum made a hell of a lot of difference.
It made recording straight from the internet impossible but for sound quality, its impeccable in comparison to the old card.

 

[Cell 2Dee]

lmao... harsh, but deintiely the fuckin truth... muthafuckas needa quit usin themselves as example when they runnin the point and click method... shit worthless to erybody... u need a better computer cell2dee... not hatin on u man, i kno how it is where u at music wise... but ur wastin ur time unless u willin to upgrade to a better computer with better sound card. IT will never sound good without em. Not hatin on u man, its a lesson we all learn. but its true. UPGRADE

I think I will upgrade in the coming months, just gotta be putting money away for it first. I know you're not hating, I appreciate the feedback and advice.

 

[krysolite]

i'm running a desktop with 1gb ram and I have absolutely no latency. whatsoever.

lol. congratulations?

i have 512mb ram and i use reason 4.0 with a midi keyboard and i just drop the buffer size and i have only 60 something ms delay. it's just enough so the sound doesn't cut and shit.
the program ur using takes up too much memory man.

trust me memory is cheap. get it first thing after work/school. u just don't eat for a day and u can afford 2gb man. lol.

 

[2GooD Productions]

i have 5ms latency with asio.
It was 92ms on the old sb platinum card.
And its 72ms in DirectX mode now.

 

[Cell 2Dee]

lol. congratulations?

i have 512mb ram and i use reason 4.0 with a midi keyboard and i just drop the buffer size and i have only 60 something ms delay. it's just enough so the sound doesn't cut and shit.
the program ur using takes up too much memory man.

trust me memory is cheap. get it first thing after work/school. u just don't eat for a day and u can afford 2gb man. lol.

I'm using Reason 4 too, with 2gb RAM. My buffer size is set to 8192 with my output latency and latency compensation at 185ms. When I use Ableton 7 with the same settings it seems to just really drag.

 

[7thangel]

'no latency' lulz...there are no words

cell, why is your buffer so high?

your 1st purchase should be at the very least a prosumer soundcard i.e. m-audio, emu. they not only affect performance but the sonic choices you make due to the ad/da conversion

until then, have you optimized your pc for audio?

http://www.blackviper.com/
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep06/articles/pcmusician_0906.htm
http://www.moozek.com/2008/08/21/definite-guide-to-windows-xp-tweaking-for-audio/
http://www.digitalproducer.com/2002/11_nov/features/11_04/optimize_pcaudio.htm
http://www.tweakxp.com/
http://www.avielsegal.com/index.html
http://kadaitcha.cx/performance.html
http://www.philrees.co.uk/pc4music/optimisation.php
http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html
http://www.mattbentley.net/guides/windows_xp_speedup.htm
http://www.ethanwiner.com/keyboard1.html
http://www.ethanwiner.com/keyboard2.html
http://www.ethanwiner.com/keyboard3.html

 

[LDB]

'no latency' lulz...there are no words

Exactly! You can tell when somebody has NO CLUE! I don't care what computer you have, what sound card, how much RAM etc etc. You're going to have some latency. Now of course if you're down around 5ms or lower you won't hear it but it is in fact there. That's why in programs like AB7 they allow for you to adjust for it using a built in test. I did a tutorial on it in the "Ableton Live software thread".

Of course MaggieOpera is special. She has gear custom made just for her, (she has an MPC 6000 or something like that, Reason 9.0 and Pro Tools 10) and an "out of this world" Super 1G computer.