Ableton Forum

Basically, my issue is, when trying to get a zero latency match of my microphone channel over my track, there is 2 input feeds...
One is perfectly on time, and then a split second later there is a delayed feed. So there is 2 sets of vocals coming through the mic. One on time and one slightly after.

The one on time is fine, and i can turn down the slightly delayed one and ignore it....but the first doesnt include any effects i have on the channel. So thats pointless.

I can not seem to make it so i only hear my voice once.


Im on a windows 10 HP, 64 bit, core i3. Which is about 1 week old.
With a Tascam US125m interface. And a Nagra mic.

Iv been playing around with the I/O settings, and the preferences. And also playing around with which input i use on the interface. But just cant figure it out.

I need to be able to hear the vocals with zero latency, with no echo / double vocals. And so the vocals have any effects i may want.

Can anyone help please??

Don't know the specifics of that interface, but it sounds like the first signal is your interface's direct passthrough monitor and the second is the channel in Live. Just need to figure out how to turn down the passthrough on that particular interface,

I thought that, but after trying the mic in various inputs on the interface, it didnt work.

This problem didnt happen on my last laptop either, so im guessing it may be a setting on Live?

I suppose this is the first problem i need to deal with, before working on the latency

samurai1 wrote:…after trying the mic in various inputs on the interface, it didnt work.

That doesn't sound the same as figuring out how to turn off the direct monitoring on your interface, which is what I'm suggesting you try.

If you mute the track in Live can you still hear the first, unprocessed signal?

Hi yes if I make a 2nd channel, and press solo... the mic still works, but only the 1 direct input. So the 2nd delayed version doesn't work.

I have tried turning all the knobs down on the interface, to figure which one is the direct monitoring, but It either still happens, or I lose all volume obviously.

I have my headphones connected to the interface also, as the laptop headphone out quality is very poor.

I have also tried to play with the interface via control panel, sound devices. But that doesn't work either.

Any idea please?

So if I connect my headphones to the laptop headphone out, it then gets rid of the direct monitoring issue. Although the quality is not quite as good... problem solved!

As for the latency, I am experiencing problems still. Even with this new laptop.

... I have set the preferences to 96000 samples. With the input rate as low as it will go. And the output rate set as low as possible, without causing distortion.

But still it has 12.4MS latency. Which is slightly too much.

What is the problem here? Is it the laptop quality that is giving latency? Or settings?

Please help!

samurai1 wrote:So if I connect my headphones to the laptop headphone out, it then gets rid of the direct monitoring issue. Although the quality is not quite as good... problem solved!

As for the latency, I am experiencing problems still. Even with this new laptop.

... I have set the preferences to 96000 samples. With the input rate as low as it will go. And the output rate set as low as possible, without causing distortion.

But still it has 12.4MS latency. Which is slightly too much.

But what is the sample buffer set to? Is that what you call "input rate"? What is the value?

samurai1 wrote:What is the problem here?

Your gear is not helping.

http://tascam.com/product/us-125m/overview/
http://www.nagraaudio.com/ares-m/

Neither is made for serious multitrack recording at low latencies.

The tascam doesn't offer ASIO drivers, it's a USB audio class class compliant device. That leaves you with the pain of Windows own audio setup panels. I wouldn't even think of trying to offer advice.

And using the ARES-M as a microphone adds even more latency you can't even calculate, because you're going through its own AD/DA-circle

Chrk,

Ok... could you by any chance recommend an audio interface and microphone that would be suitable please?

I have done my homework, and been mis-sold these items. In the faith they would be suitable.
So I no longer trust these sources of information.

Something low budget you could recommend would be a great help! I just want to get to making music. Its been months of learning now and getting nowhere

samurai1 wrote:Ok... could you by any chance recommend an audio interface and microphone that would be suitable please

That's hard.

From your threads I only know only two things about what you're looking for: You want extremely low latency, and you're fighting your room acoustics.

For low latency I'd say in a reflex: Look at anything by RME, Babyface Pro, Fireface UC / UCX / UFX. I'll personally be looking at one of them, when my current interface dies or I can't get firewire into my next computer, but they're definitely not low budget.

Focusrite claims to have upped their low latency game with the Scarlett series 2nd generation, so you might take a look there and see what feature set you need an what fits your budget. You need to answer yourself a few questions first, like what will I want to connect, will I need cueing, will a need to be able to expand to more I/O like ADAT converters, and so on. Take a look at their manuals and find one you may feel comfortable with.

Now, microphones are even more complicated. They're so dependent on source (what you want to record), room, and first and foremost TASTE.

Very basic needs to be honest.

I just want a zero latency interface, to connect a microphone. Nothing else. No complicated stuff. I just want to be able to hear my voice over the track without noticing the latency.

As for the mic. The acoustics are no longer an issue, as my new laptop is quiet.
I am happy with my Nagra mic, but as you say... it has latency issues...
So the basic requirement is low latency and studio quality. Ideally one that only picks up sound very close to the mic, to avoid catching any unwanted background noise!

Money is tight. So i just want to find a nice cheap set up. That i know will be as required.

Judging by your knowledge, its fair to say i trust your recommendation, and will buy whatever you say haha.

So long story short, i just want a basic zero latency, studio quality mic / interface. With no additional connections / converters ins or outs.

I will have a look at those interfaces you mentioned, whilst awaiting your reply.

Thanks

This mentions 2.4MS latency, on MAC and OS 10.11... But mentions nothing about latency on Windows.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focusrite-Sca ... SwVyRXTupp

Reading up it seems to be what im after.

Whats your thoughts please?
As i am positive your knowledge is better than mine!

samurai1 wrote:This mentions 2.4MS latency, on MAC and OS 10.11... But mentions nothing about latency on Windows.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focusrite-Sca ... SwVyRXTupp

Reading up it seems to be what im after.

Whats your thoughts please?
As i am positive your knowledge is better than mine!

Directly from Focusrite you get a mic as well in this product: Scarlett Solo Studio (2nd Gen) and Amazon say they will throw in an XLR cable too.

Some mixed reviews, so hard to say if this is it. I'm on RME myself and couldn't be much more satisfied.

Jheez the Babyface looks double my budget.

What mic are you running with it please?

I might just bite the bullet and go for the top end...

samurai1 wrote:Jheez the Babyface looks double my budget.

Think Second hand market. Think Refurbished.

samurai1 wrote: What mic are you running with it please?

I'm not sure if you asked me but I've used the Shure SM57 (Vocals) and the Line Audio Design CM3 (Just different sounds). I'm sure there are better ones, but these do the job currently.

I'm planning to get a Sennheiser MD 441 when I can, just because I've loved every minute I've used one and I can't forget it.