Recording Lag... I think?

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:58 pm

Ok, so my computer is running great, 2.4GHz P4, 1GB RAM. I'm planning on getting another gigpretty quickly, but it should be fine for recording.

I'm using Kristal Engine, which, while I know is free and crappy, has actually worked well for me in the past on my work laptop 2.2 GHz, 1GB.

I'm also using the same interface, M-Audio PreUSB. The latency is set to 256 uSecs.

When i record and monitor the recording, I get a bit of lag/skipping/cutout. It's totally intermittent and random. If I can the monitor function, it records fine, but then I can't hear what I am playing, only the play back that I'm playing along to.

Would more RAM help this? I also note that I get the same lag when the the computer boots up (the PreUSB pretty much acts as my sound card). Or should I punt and get something else?

vivadeluxxe · Post by **vivadeluxxe** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:28 pm

I don't know anything about Kristal, but if you check the audio preferences there may be an option for 'software monitoring' if there is, turn it off...
It's used if you want to play your recording signal thru software effects and processing while you record, rather than just monitor the raw signal, it's really processor heavy and causes some of the probs you've described...

It's always worth playing around with your buffer size too, starting at the lowest setting and bringing up until you get a decent latency to crackle ratio...

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:42 pm

Crap, I think I forgot to check what my audio preference were. I'll hop on that tonight!

Thanks!

vivadeluxxe · Post by **vivadeluxxe** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:04 pm

Yeah it's always best to turn any stuff like that off, and don't use the software to set you signal levels etc, otherwise the input signal has to be processed by the software first before you hear it causing all sorts of lag...

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:31 pm

Well there is another thing I am doing wrong.

aen · Post by **aen** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:02 pm

I had a similar problem, but it was due to a slow rpm hard drive

r40f · Post by **r40f** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:24 pm

it's almost definitely not a RAM problem.

make sure you have ASIO4ALL installed (google it and you'll find it)

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:50 pm

fuck what, get REAPER.

vivadeluxxe · Post by **vivadeluxxe** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:51 pm

mezzio13 wrote:Well there is another thing I am doing wrong.

It's good idea when you're home recording to set the input signal externally (on something like a mixer or on the interface) and leave all the levels on the software at 0dB...

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:14 pm

Ok, I upped my RAM, even though I know it's not likely the problem, why not max out at 2GB...

That said, I's still not resolving this. I maxed out the buffer size through my interface's software, and that helped a little. It looks like Kristal won't allow me to increase my block size, so I can't tweak that. I am also having the same playback problems in FL Studio, although after it plays a bit, that seems to clear up. I don't have an idea about recording though, as I just havent tried it.

I noticed that the graphic is reflecting what is recording, and that it appears that not even the enitre signal is getting picked up as you can see here:

That's just a kick and a ride form a drum machine, with no accents set or anyhting like that. There should be no variance in the pattern either audible of visible. I have the same problem with guitar and mic, so it's not a drum machine problem in and of itself.

I'm going to consider some more hearty software (thanks to dots for the suggestion), but I am still sure that I will have a problem. This is getting frustrating, as I can record to figure stuff out, or play along to, which is my main purpose for fucking with this shit anyway, but the final product is poo. Ugh.

Oh yeah, I tried AISO4ALL and their Pre-Mobile driver as well, with no improvement.

r40f · Post by **r40f** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:19 pm

what OS do you have?

did you check the m-audio website for driver updates/patches?

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:39 pm

Windows XP SP2. I DL'd the latest driver at step one.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:46 am

Sloan wrote:fuck what, get REAPER.

Also, are you using a wireless network?

vivadeluxxe · Post by **vivadeluxxe** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:35 am

If Kristal is free software, it may be full of bugs and glitches...
I'd give some other program a try...

Sloan wrote:fuck what, get REAPER.

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:56 pm

Sloan wrote:
Sloan wrote:fuck what, get REAPER.

Also, are you using a wireless network?

Yes and no. I have a wireless router, but this machine is hard wired. It is also off right now, as I don't have internet at home yet.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:35 pm

Do you disable all your internet connections when you record?

( START > CONNECT TO > SHOW ALL CONNECTIONS > right click on WHICH EVER CONNECTION > DISABLE )

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:57 pm

No, would that matter if I have no internet?

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:09 pm

you have FL studio ?

fucking dick.

gimme that shit. now. i could make megatron voicebox sondz

bring that shit over homeboy. ill buy you beer for the rip

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:16 pm

mezzio13 wrote:No, would that matter if I have no internet?

Closing other programs might help, I don't think disconnecting entirely will help. Worth trying though.

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:48 pm

robroe wrote:you have FL studio ?

fucking dick.

gimme that shit. now. i could make megatron voicebox sondz

bring that shit over homeboy. ill buy you beer for the rip

DL'd the demo. I may have a rip for it soon, in which case...