Low latency audio in Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

[toddhisattva]

It is amazing, that the amount of effort going to convince us that Android has low-latency audio, could have gone to actually porting a low-latency audio layer to Android. Or if I've completely ditzed out and missed something, providing example code for us to try.

[UltraJv]

Not yet, there are a few claims by Google/Audiotool but no clear indicator :

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/ ... music-app/

[RPH]

I have the app running on my Asus transformer tablet, can say the GUI is very responsive ( knobs / buttons ). When a sequence is running the LED position corresponds to the audio, but when i goto the mixer window it shows lag between audio and GUI. The meters are offbeat compared to the audio running.

The article claims about the lag problem is bs without evidence, caustic still shows about 90ms and that won't change with ICS AFAIK.

[UltraJv]

People are working on it - Pulseaudio API (One for the devs) looks promising, quoted as down to 20ms :

http://arunraghavan.net/2012/01/pulseau ... ger-fight/


http://pulseaudio.org/

[polaris20]

People are working on it - Pulseaudio API (One for the devs) looks promising, quoted as down to 20ms :

http://arunraghavan.net/2012/01/pulseau ... ger-fight/


http://pulseaudio.org/

It somewhat makes sense to use pulseaudio, since it's already very common on Linux. It would be nicer if Google just compiled a lower latency kernel for Android though, as is available in Ubuntu Studio. The latency would be lower than 20ms most likely.

[UltraJv]

People are working on it - Pulseaudio API (One for the devs) looks promising, quoted as down to 20ms :

http://arunraghavan.net/2012/01/pulseau ... ger-fight/


http://pulseaudio.org/

It somewhat makes sense to use pulseaudio, since it's already very common on Linux. It would be nicer if Google just compiled a lower latency kernel for Android though, as is available in Ubuntu Studio. The latency would be lower than 20ms most likely.

Is the kernal the issue? Maybe, maybe not. I dont think Google would have a good time of it with so many different hardware platforms. Kernal size would go through the roof and wouldnt fit within a specified RAM/Flash footprint. For a niche market, no go. Microsoft has the same premise, provide a working framework and let 3rd parties bring more efficient drivers/APIs in to suit various applications. My guess is that Pulseaudio may lead to an ASIO4ALL type wrapper for Android.

[polaris20]

People are working on it - Pulseaudio API (One for the devs) looks promising, quoted as down to 20ms :

http://arunraghavan.net/2012/01/pulseau ... ger-fight/


http://pulseaudio.org/

It somewhat makes sense to use pulseaudio, since it's already very common on Linux. It would be nicer if Google just compiled a lower latency kernel for Android though, as is available in Ubuntu Studio. The latency would be lower than 20ms most likely.

Is the kernal the issue? Maybe, maybe not. I dont think Google would have a good time of it with so many different hardware platforms. Kernal size would go through the roof and wouldnt fit within a specified RAM/Flash footprint. For a niche market, no go. Microsoft has the same premise, provide a working framework and let 3rd parties bring more efficient drivers/APIs in to suit various applications. My guess is that Pulseaudio may lead to an ASIO4ALL type wrapper for Android.

Well I can't really say, because I'm not a developer (I'm a network engineer) nor am I a kernel expert, but I can say that the low latency kernel does help tremendously on the desktop/laptop side of things. However given the myriad of different devices for Android, you're likely right; mucking with the kernel might be too much of an undertaking. Especially given that the actual market for low latency audio is minuscule relative to the number of devices out there.

[RPH]

They (google) should have enforced a minimum standard from day one (powerwise).
What saves the day is the ongoing increase in power, soon we will have low-latency fun.

@UltraJV: nice links, tnx.

[polaris20]

They (google) should have enforced a minimum standard from day one (powerwise).
What saves the day is the ongoing increase in power, soon we will have low-latency fun.

@UltraJV: nice links, tnx.

You've got to remember that the ratio of people wishing to do low latency audio to the people buying Android phones in general is very, very small. I can't imagine it's on the top of Google's list, because it's not really good business sense. They've got other problems to work with.

[IncarnateX]

Sure, I can read, you cant though - topic says ANDROID.

And therefore you babble on about your netbook?

I disagree, my Netbook is mobile - its the same size as ipad, it just runs a full OS instead of locked and crippled IOS and is 1/3 the price. Any other mistakes you care to make? It takes me seconds to respond to idiots, no time attall

Oh, there is the connection: So a netbook is a mobile device and so is an iPad and therefore you can hijack any thread at mobile forum and turn it into an orgy of senseless statements going nowhere. Well, a Laptop is a mobile device too, so now you have an excuse for trolling any thread anywhere at KVR. Very Smart, I'll give you that

Yes, youre right about my pref for Netbooks telling you something about me. It says that having had 6 or more "must have" gadgets over 10 years which are now gathering dust, I dont buy into the igadget fad. I prefer something practical, Im not led by marketing anymore unlike some. In short, im not the demographic igadgets are aimed at.

Oops! I must have overlooked this confession. Plz disregard the statements above then. It seems that your problem is that you have bought too many gadgets that you apparently have not found use for and now you need to believe that everyone in the world acts the same way so you can save them?! I see. That changes the perspective. I feel sorry for you now, but you really need to get over it. Projection is a defence, not a solution.

[UltraJv]

Sure, I can read, you cant though - topic says ANDROID.

And therefore you babble on about your netbook?

I disagree, my Netbook is mobile - its the same size as ipad, it just runs a full OS instead of locked and crippled IOS and is 1/3 the price. Any other mistakes you care to make? It takes me seconds to respond to idiots, no time attall

Oh, there is the connection: So a netbook is a mobile device and so is an iPad and therefore you can hijack any thread at mobile forum and turn it into an orgy of senseless statements going nowhere. Well, a Laptop is a mobile device too, so now you have an excuse for trolling any thread anywhere at KVR. Very Smart, I'll give you that

Yes, youre right about my pref for Netbooks telling you something about me. It says that having had 6 or more "must have" gadgets over 10 years which are now gathering dust, I dont buy into the igadget fad. I prefer something practical, Im not led by marketing anymore unlike some. In short, im not the demographic igadgets are aimed at.

Oops! I must have overlooked this confession. Plz disregard the statements above then. It seems that your problem is that you have bought too many gadgets that you apparently have not found use for and now you need to believe that everyone in the world acts the same way so you can save them?! I see. That changes the perspective. I feel sorry for you now, but you really need to get over it. Projection is a defence, not a solution.

Im impressed that you waste so much time to try to pick my statements apart, kudos. I have an Android device, - you dont. Ive shown how low latency is being achieved on Android - youre hijacking this thread - go and play with your ego toy lol

Ive read some of your threads now, you love trouble dont you? :

"Listen carefully, because I am only going to warn you once.

I am all on iPad music production now, but when I was on laptop ORION ruled the world.

This synthstudio is not for idiots who think...."


and before that you were arguing on here again :

"Oh well, this thread is destined to be locked due to your incessant bickering.

IBTL.

Mike

Quite a pity, IMO, 'cause I think this pretty young forum have done remarkably well with respect to a ..."

Do you actaully do anything useful apart from bicker and hijack threads? I will let you have the last word on this, congrats at being the only person Ive set to mute, you clearly need it lol

[BMoore]

Quite a pity, IMO, 'cause I think this pretty young forum have done remarkably well with respect to a ..."

Do you actaully do anything useful apart from bicker and hijack threads? I will let you have the last word on this, congrats at being the only person Ive set to mute, you clearly need it lol

Your third post in this thread called someone a fan boy, and you complain about derailing and bickering.

I don't know what kind of comprension problems you've got, reading, logic, reasoning, social, but you've made a total moron of yourself in this (any) thread.

[UltraJv]

Quite a pity, IMO, 'cause I think this pretty young forum have done remarkably well with respect to a ..."

Do you actaully do anything useful apart from bicker and hijack threads? I will let you have the last word on this, congrats at being the only person Ive set to mute, you clearly need it lol

Your third post in this thread called someone a fan boy, and you complain about derailing and bickering.

I don't know what kind of comprension problems you've got, reading, logic, reasoning, social, but you've made a total moron of yourself in this (any) thread.

According to 2 people whose opinion counts for nothing, youre right. Its best I mute you also. I love empowerment, else youll get the thread locked which is what you both want - FAIL.

[BMoore]

Aaaand case in point...

I'm out.

[IncarnateX]

and before that you were arguing on here again :

"Oh well, this thread is destined to be locked due to your incessant bickering.

IBTL.

Mike

Quite a pity, IMO, 'cause I think this pretty young forum have done remarkably well with respect to a ..."

Do you actaully do anything useful apart from bicker and hijack threads? I will let you have the last word on this, congrats at being the only person Ive set to mute, you clearly need it lol

You are not quoting me here. If you are going to transform yourself from a troll to a moralist on basis of my threads, at least get them right.

But I hear your cry for help! Don' t worry, in time your wounds will heal.