KVR Audio

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:38 pm

Hi All.

I just bought an M-Audio Axiom 49, although I'm having some latency issues. I use reason 3 as my sequencer, but when I press a key on the keyboard the sound comes just after (I'm a novice at this stuff). I read around and realised that it could be to do with my sound card. I have a Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Audio sound card, and I now understand that these are rubbish for producing, and used mainly for gaming (If only I knew this before).

Am I right in thinking this?

So I'm Guessing the only solution would be to buy a new sound card with the capabilities I'm looking for.

p.s I did a test in reason, where i recorded with the tempo tick on and the volume right down on the synth, and just played the keys on the keyboard in sync with the tempo tick. Here's a print screen I took, , which should give you some ideas of the latency I'm getting.

Hovmod · Post by **Hovmod** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:48 pm

Are you using an ASIO driver?
What are the latency settings in the audio preferences?

Make sure you have the latest ASIO driver for your Soundblaster, and try ASIO4ALL if you can't get it better than that. You should be able to tweak this to well within your comfort zone.

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:20 pm

Hi, Thanks for replying.

Yes I do have ASIO driver. The Driver is called 'ASIO DirectX Full Duplex Driver'.

I have tried changing the sample rate and latency compensation. I don't know whether that would help the matter? But it didn't help, unless i was going about it the wrong way.

Where would I find the latest driver? On the creative website?

Heres a print screen of my preferences...

And another with the audio card driver tab exposed...

Nonplus · Post by **Nonplus** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:35 pm

the ASIO DirectX ... is always there and it's actually the default DirectX driver. You need to use the real/pure ASIO driver available from Creative. find it here:
http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/welcome.asp

Creative claims you can get latencies as low as 2ms which is probably an exaggeration but you will probably be able to get in the teens which will be practical imperceptible.

install the driver from Creative, restart, launch Reason, and you should see the new driver towards the bottom of the list. also: update to Reason 3.0.4 via propellerheads.se

good luck

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:38 pm

Thanks. followed your link, and when i'm being asked for my operating system it lists windows xp media centre 2004 or just windows xp amongst others. Although, I have windows xp media centre 2002. Which system should i choose, windows xp?

Nonplus · Post by **Nonplus** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:59 pm

probably, yes -the XP version but i really don't know.

according to this:
http://dougknox.com/xpmce/index.htm
installing XP service pack 2 will push your MCE to 2004

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:52 pm

Thanks for the info.

I downloaded and installed the new driver for the windows media center edition 2004 in the end. Restarted my computer and opened reason, although when i looked at the preferences there is still the same list that there was before, is this right?

Latency is still an issue unfortunately.

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:02 pm

Media centre isnt great for musicians audio but you should still have ASIO4ALL showing in the drop down list.

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:16 pm

Thats a Pain. I'm still not seeing it in the preferences???

If I got a new sound card would this eliminate the media centre, thus making my computer better for producing with?

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:21 pm

Heres a link to the exact driver I downloaded...

http://uk.europe.creative.com/support/d ... &x=13&y=10

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:22 pm

Some people have trouble with Media Centre, some dont. Theres no doubt that getting an Maudio 24/96 card (£50) would help as it has decent ASIO drivers but its worrying that you arnt seeing the driver in reason. Maybe try KX drivers.

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:23 pm

Ah - thats not ASIO4ALL get it here :

http://www.asio4all.com/

You will need to play around to get the lowest latency. Ideally, 5ms is good if you can achieve it. You will hit a spot where you get crackling if you go too low for the system.

Quazzer · Post by **Quazzer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:37 pm

Thanks for the link. Installed it an the latency has gone! Result!

Theres only 1 problem, when I play anything there seems to be very slight distorted type glitches throughout the sounds? is this due to the buffer size?

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:40 pm

yep, you may have to raise it a little or play with other settings in the driver control panel.

Axiom 49 with Reason 3 (problems)