I learned a bit about FireWire, Thunderbolt, and PCI interfaces which some say cause less latency than USB2 but others say it just depends on your PC specs, soundcard, and drivers.
Whatever the case, I decided I'm just going to get some used beginner gear for now which I told won't even have latency I'd notice if done right.
I'm getting a new motherboard soon, something for like an AMD FX-8350 CPU and I assume the onboard soundcard would be ASIO4ALL compatible, if that plus having good PC specs are what really keep latency low.
I want to:
-Record guitar at 24bit/48kHz with hi-z preamp.
-Record hardware synths.
-Play softsynths with a MIDI/USB controller without latency.
-Record an electric drum kit without noticeable latency. Will most likely use the kit to trigger a VST kit.
An integrated phantom mic preamp would be nice also.
I only need one or two channels.
So suppose I get a $150ish USB2 recording and preamp interface like a Steinberg ur22/ Focusrite / M-audio / etc that has MIDI in+out. Would I get lower latency by also buying an inexpensive PCI MIDI card for the instruments that don't require preamping from the USB interface?
In other words, which would have lower latency:
Plugging a MIDI/USB controller keyboard or electric drum set into a PCI MIDI card
-OR- straight into USB using a stock soundcard but with good PC specs and most likely ASIO drivers
-OR- plugging the MIDI keyboard into the USB2 interface's MIDI?
I assume hardware synths which don't require a preamp would have the least latency being plugged into a PCI recording soundcard instead of the USB2 audio interface. If so, and if plugging a MIDI keyboard/drum set into the PCI soundcard with a PCI MIDI also beats the MIDI on the USB2 interface plus beats going straight into the USB, then should I get both the $150ish USB2 audio interface with preamp and also a PCI MIDI and recording soundcard like the Audiophile 2496 I sold years ago? And will the addition of the PCI soundcard with MIDI connections also lower the latency of anything plugged into the USB2 audio interface?
Please quote whole post and dissect.
Many thanks.
Finalize my beginner set-up. latency phobia, midi keyboard + interface + soundcard?
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- KVRAF
- 4078 posts since 28 Jan, 2011 from MEXICO
Well I don't understand where you expect latency?
Depending on how you work you will notice it.
For example if you play your synths/guitar and record in real time while directly monitoring the synths you won't notice any latency.
Latency is more noticeable if you use virtual effects while playing hardware synths/guitars and you want to monitor wet signal, playing virtual instruments can also be affected by latency.
But it will also depends on how much other processes you are running at the same time.
The lowest latency you can get depends on:
1.- CPU
2.- Audio interface driver performance
3.- Processes being executed at the same time in your PC.
You will choose how much latency will be by setting up your buffer size in the audio interface configuration, a smaller buffer size produces less latency but consumes more CPU, so it's a trade off between how much latency you want and how many processes you can run at the same time.
For the interface in that price Steinberg Offerings have very good performance, above Focusrite, M-Audio or presonus. If you can go for the UR44 because it has many more options for routing direct monitoring and you can use it's DSP effects without latency-
Depending on how you work you will notice it.
For example if you play your synths/guitar and record in real time while directly monitoring the synths you won't notice any latency.
Latency is more noticeable if you use virtual effects while playing hardware synths/guitars and you want to monitor wet signal, playing virtual instruments can also be affected by latency.
But it will also depends on how much other processes you are running at the same time.
The lowest latency you can get depends on:
1.- CPU
2.- Audio interface driver performance
3.- Processes being executed at the same time in your PC.
You will choose how much latency will be by setting up your buffer size in the audio interface configuration, a smaller buffer size produces less latency but consumes more CPU, so it's a trade off between how much latency you want and how many processes you can run at the same time.
For the interface in that price Steinberg Offerings have very good performance, above Focusrite, M-Audio or presonus. If you can go for the UR44 because it has many more options for routing direct monitoring and you can use it's DSP effects without latency-
dedication to flying
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- KVRian
- 1055 posts since 19 Feb, 2003
No you don't.music234m wrote:I want to: -Record guitar at 24bit/48kHz with hi-z preamp.
Unless you are doing audio for video (which uses 16bit/48k for final files) lock everything down one 24bit/44.1khz and forgetaboutit.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 16 posts since 24 Mar, 2014
thanks everyone for helping. I decided to keep it simple at least for now with just a USB box, and was between a scarlett 2i2 and steinberg ur22. I chose the 2i2 for: supposedly better preamps, didn't care for bundled software so didn't really pay attention to those if any. Didn't care for UR22's 192kHz and figure 4kHz8 is enough. There's some defected UR22s with a quiet hum when a mic's plugged in or something like that and since I bought used, I figured getting a defective unit was more probable, but steinberg might replace the defective ones or repair them free or something and they list the defected serial #s on their site and mention this issue. Steingberg might have a louder headphone output but 2i2 should be loud enough and I'm trying to not damage my hearing although I do crank it up sometimes. I don't think I'll need MIDI, so I basically just went for the alleged better, award-winning pre-amps vs having MIDI and 192kHz. Spent about $100 for the 2i2 vs like $110 for the UR22 currently.
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- KVRist
- 103 posts since 6 Feb, 2012
As a Firewire fan, I'd suggest you have a look at FW sound interfaces. The latency of FW IS lower than USB (though it may not be actually noticeable), and you might be able to get good bargains, because it's not as popular. I got my Toneweal Firewire interface at a significant discount below retail price.
Also, as Firewire has higher power ratings than USB, it's likely that you'll be able to power the interface from the computer itself, with no need for a separate wall wart. That counts as a big bonus for me at least.
Firewire does have some drawbacks. It's a niche interface, nowadays mostly only the pro video industry uses it (it's a de facto standard for professional digital video), and thus you won't find it on newer computers. For Apple devices, you'll need a Thunderbolt to FW adapter, and for PCs you'll need a PCIe (or for notebooks, Expresscard) Firewire 800 card.
Also, as Firewire has higher power ratings than USB, it's likely that you'll be able to power the interface from the computer itself, with no need for a separate wall wart. That counts as a big bonus for me at least.
Firewire does have some drawbacks. It's a niche interface, nowadays mostly only the pro video industry uses it (it's a de facto standard for professional digital video), and thus you won't find it on newer computers. For Apple devices, you'll need a Thunderbolt to FW adapter, and for PCs you'll need a PCIe (or for notebooks, Expresscard) Firewire 800 card.