8.7msec latency using asio4all 2.7 on XP with a RealTek HD soundcard

Even 8.7ms is pretty good - especially for that soundcard. Haven't checked what version of A4A I'm using, but sounds like I should.

Well I've optimized my computer for audio recording following the AudioForums Windows XP Optimization guide http://www.audioforums.com/resources/windows-xp-optimization.html

This has made a marked difference. I am now getting consistant and smooth 6.7msec latency with my RealTek soundcard using asio4all 2.7 on XP.

I'm not sure why v 2.9 is so crummy on XP but from all Im hearing on the audio forums the consensus is that 2.9 is worthless on XP and people should stick with 2.7 for all RealTek cards (or any other card for that matter). I agree with this although I wish I could explain why 2.7 is better - probably designed with XP in mind specifically.

So 6.7msec on a RealTek HD soundcard. That ain't too shabby on a factory stock cheap soundcard. If it can do that well on my little processor, just think what it can do on a real sound card.

I recorded a few audio guitar licks along with a basic midi drum loop earlier this morning.

She's holding captain. I can't believe it. But she's holding.

Now the only thing I need is a decent mixer and some mad skilz.

ORIGINAL: Robomusic

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-802?sku=631263 hard to beat for a home type studio! The preamps are very clean compared to the older behringer stuff (which was decent) and it is easy to setup.

I'm liking the 802 and it looks like a straight analog setup. And I like analog over digital anytime. Your stuff sounds very analog to my ears. That's the kind of sound I'm going for with some ambient Enya type stuff going on in the mix. But I want it to sound analog, like an LP sounds. The last thing I want is anything that sounds digitized or electronica. Im only 30 but I'm really old school in my tastes and preferences.

Here's my question. What about the Xenyx1204 USB digital? Pro and cons. Do you use a straight analog setup? Because your music sounds very analog to me. If so, that's probably the route I'm taking.

I think I'm on the same page now, Robert. For the last couple of days I've been tossing around for opting for analog or digital. My heart is telling me analog. It's tried and true.

I'll probably go with the 802.

And yes, I'm definately moving to a 24bit card.

Will do.

Thanks, Robert.

YOu guys probably aren't gonna believe this but Im getting 24 bit out of this RealTek HD soundcard from the asio drivers. It's capable of it because it's hd, it just that the RealTek drivers were set to 16 bit, but the actual card is capable of 24 bit and that's where asio has set it. So now Im getting 48000 at 24 bit -- on this realtek soundcard! Im proud of my little ghetto studio.

Ok, GC. It's now set at 44100 at 24 bit.

Unbelievable. I'll try to do some research on why this works out the way it does. I bet beagle's got something on it. I'll check.

I agree with Albert there on the sampling rate - 48k doesn't make sense unless you have a soundcard that it needs that rate (like soundblasters or ADAT converters). however, I've never heard of a realtek being capable of 24bit. I would REALLY suspect that it's not really 24bit, but it's 16bit and padding the other 8 with 0's. and I'd bet it's actually ASIO4ALL doing that, not the realtek itself. if the realtek is actually capable of 24bit, then it would be capable of doing 24bit in WDM driver mode because as Rob just pointed out, ASIO4ALL is not really an ASIO driver, it's just a wrapper for WDM driver mode using the WDM drivers of the soundcard anyway. so if the soundcard's WDM drivers aren't capable of 24bit then neither is ASIO4ALL unless ASIO4ALL is padding the other 8 bits.

that's interesting. and 8.7msec out of the onboard soundcard is really good.

of course, 8.7msec is the reported latency and that's actually ONE WAY. round trip is actually a little more than twice that.