Latency, can someone describe it?

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Brother in Christ
Member Since: Jun 12, 2002

OK, I've done some searching and cannot find a description that really helps me understand. I've read that it is the time that it takes for a signal to get into the PC, through sound card and then back out again. OK, how does this affect me and in what situations is it going to be a problem?

I have yet to do any over dubbing. Only live recording. So is it when you are overdubbing that it comes into play?

What is the fix for it?

I keep reading that M-Audo has zero latency but then in one thread here Noise said he was unable to get zero latency with an M-audio card using ASIO. Yet when I spoke with the service rep at E-Magic he told me that I should use the ASIO drivers. I'm confused.

So, can someone explain this thing to me? Pretend that I'm just a kid so I will be able to understand, OK?

Thanks, Terry

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 01, 2002 02:14 pm

Yes, M-Audio has 0 latency monitering, as do other's. In your case latency will probably not be an issue. The place where it really rear's its ugly head is using soft synth's and the like, or running realtime effect's send and return's. But again, most application's now have a way around this, by adjusting delay's and so on.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Aug 05, 2002 01:36 am

Latency is the amount of time it takes for your signal to go from your mixer into the computer, into the soundcard, and back out again. That's the definition, but it doesn't really help much does it? No, so I'll give some examples. Doing live recording you won't have to worry about it much, but if you plan on using Plug in effects or soft synths then it pops up.
I know one thing with latency that I hate is when I move a fader in my App and it takes a minute for the sound to change.
Anyway, I don't know how much that helped you, but I tried eh?

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Aug 11, 2002 10:06 pm

Another example of latency is listening to a drummer who is using an electronic drum set. If your between the drummer and the amp you can hear a delay between the time that the drummer strikes a pad trigger and the time that the sound comes out of the amp. Let's say that you have a mix pretty much completed with effects and and such added and you want to lay down one more track. If not for zero latency the new track would record late on the on the drive. Because you would be playing along with a sound that was sent from the computer some time ago. Zero latency knows how long the signal is delayed and time stamps the incoming signal accordingly so things match up in time during play back.

Best I can do.

Brother in Christ
Member
Since: Jun 12, 2002


Aug 12, 2002 07:42 am

Thanks Walt, That makes perfect sense.

Blessings Terry

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