Laptop running VST`s only, no live instruments or vocals

[Glyn Darby]

Hi all,
I`m planning on getting a laptop on which I will run Reason 11 and VST`s and no need for recording live instruments or vocals and monitoring via headphones, apart from a Midi keyboard/controller will I need any other hardware and also how would I control latency.

Cheers,
Glyn.

[thecontrolcentre]

A USB audio interface will give lower latency and better sound quality.

[Kalee]

On Windows laptop, asio4all might give you low enough latency on the headphone output. Other than that, there is a huge range on the quality of drivers. Gearslutz forum, and searching for RTL reports of the audio interfaces is a good idea, if you are on Windows laptop.

[GaryG]

To be honest, I've found tiddling around on my laptop that WASAPI drivers and the quality of my headphone out are fine. I think my latency in Reaper is ~15ms which is fine for me day to day. Obviously you may be more aware of real time latency when playing live keyboards so you'd have to try it. So what I'm saying is, initially at least, you may not need an interface.

[Glyn Darby]

Thanks for the info, thecontrolcentre, Kalee and Gary G. I think I will test it out first before buying anything else. Cheersd Glyn.

[ztrauq]

I'm also pretty much "in the box" so an interface isn't strictly necessary but I have found that having one is still useful:

-Drivers can make things much easier to use. Struggled with asio4all playing nice with random laptop onboard audio. Got a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, did the install, DAWs saw it and for the most part just worked once it was selected.
-Most headphones don't come with decent inline audio controls, and I find it easier to quickly tweak an audio knob to adjust the monitoring volume rather than digging around in the system tray. An interface will also allow you more volume boost generally, meaning you can use higher-impedance headphones with it that would otherwise struggle with the built-in port.
-If down the road you do need to record something or add a microphone, you don't really need to fiddle around with other stuff, just plug it in and hit the phantom power button if needed.
-Similarly, if you want to attach studio monitors down the road, I found it a lot easier to be able to just jack right into the interface's line out rather than try to match adapters and levels (although I guess there are some studio monitors that can drive from a headphone port 1/8 jack).

[mixyguy2]

A USB audio interface will give lower latency and better sound quality.

nah. But as zt said above, it would still be useful if for nothing else than adding studio monitors, and if one is serious about recording, even if MIDI only, you'd absolutely want to do that.

The good news is you can get a very good audio interface for modest cost. I'd suggest the Behringer 204 (about $120).

[e@rs]

My recommendation is Steinberg UR22 mk2. No audio issues, MIDI I/O, built like a tank, stays cold.