Ableton Forum

So I've got a brand spanking new 2021 MacBook Pro and am a little surprised at the overall latency numbers I'm getting. With 44,100 sample rate, and 256 sample buffer, I see an overall latency of 18 ms. Isn't that high? I've seen YouTube videos from 2016 with people on their MacBook Pro, using the same settings and getting much lower overall latency (like 10 and 12 ms). I thought I had a kickass laptop: 32 GB RAM, 10 core CPU, etc. Anyone else with this issue?

What audio interface/hardware are you using?
What audio interface/hardware were they using?
It doesn’t just depend on the computer.

More information please!

(accidently reported the first post when I wanted to quote; sorry don't take it into account.)

I was Saying I get 12.5 ms with the MOTU ultralite mk3; 14,5 ms with the internal i/o overall latency; at 256 samples. 18 ms is not far out. what interface are you using?

I have a focusrite Scarlett 4i4. However I’m getting great results when I do the CPU “tone” test in Ableton. I can go to 32 buffer with 80% cpu with no crackles at all. So I guess it’s all good. Thanks so much for the quick reply guys!

joot29 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 19, 2021 12:06 am

I have a focusrite Scarlett 4i4. However I’m getting great results when I do the CPU “tone” test in Ableton. I can go to 32 buffer with 80% cpu with no crackles at all. So I guess it’s all good. Thanks so much for the quick reply guys!

256 is kind of high for some interfaces.

128 or 64 works pretty good with Scarlett's.

It seems like the new M1 Pro and Max do better at 138 samples and under. I get less cpu hit at 128 than I do at say 512.

This is with the built in headphone jack or speakers anyway, sound card will still have some influence from the drivers I think.

I replaced my 2013 MBP with an M1 MBP when they first came out, and roundtrip latency on my Scarlett 18i20 went from 12ms to 14ms at 128 samples. However the CPU usage fell from around 45% to 20% like-for-like and I'd echo Tarakith's experience that the hit is higher at higher sample rates (even 2048). I'd be interested to know if people testing the Native version beta are finding much difference compared with Rosetta?

grrrz wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 18, 2021 11:38 pm

(accidently reported the first post when I wanted to quote; sorry don't take it into account.)

Next time you'll be banned for waking us up this way

[jur] wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:53 am

grrrz wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 18, 2021 11:38 pm

(accidently reported the first post when I wanted to quote; sorry don't take it into account.)

Next time you'll be banned for waking us up this way

I don't know why I always screw up clicking on the right button on this forum honestly, it's not that difficult.

[jur] wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:53 am

grrrz wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 18, 2021 11:38 pm

(accidently reported the first post when I wanted to quote; sorry don't take it into account.)

Next time you'll be banned for waking us up this way

I'm imagining something like Tora! Tora! Tora! happening and you and Erik going to battle stations. I'm sure that must be how it is.

grrrz wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 18, 2021 11:38 pm

(accidently reported the first post when I wanted to quote; sorry don't take it into account.)

I was wondering why I was getting a notice about that.

I have the Base Model MacBook Pro and Scarlett 18i8 2nd Gen and also experienced this. Downloading the Ableton 11 Beta fixed the issue for me. 14ms should be fine, I believe it’s because Ableton can’t account for the extra latency that Rosetta introduces since the Ableton is not apple silicon native yet. The Beta introduces the apple silicon native support and fixed my latency issues. However keep in mind that plug-ins that are not M1 native will not work in the beta version.