Audio tracks shifting?

It is latency, and is typical. What is causin it is that it has a small time lag between the travel of the audio signal being recorded from the guitar to the amp, to the sound card to the software. You built in card can not compensate, and the line 6 while it most likely can, it needs to be setup using a ASIO driver with a very low buffering setting no more than 256.

It helps if you use a exterioal interface like the Line 6 with ASIO drivers and monitor the signal at the headphone port on the line 6.

TheMightyVH

 I've been working with a drummer who records tracks on an electronic kit, and sends me an audio file (mp3).  I import the file in Music Creator, then I record my guitar tracks via a mic'd up amp, through a preamp an into my sound card.  The problem is that my guitar tracks seem to "snap" in about an 1/8 beat behind if that makes sense. ... the recording stays rhythmically correct?  

It makes perfect sense, for the reason the guys mentioned.
If you are using a built-in sound card, the default latency is usually 500ms. This is fine for normal playback of MP3's, CD's etc.
The problem is when you are trying to sync real-time recording with playback of pre-recorded tracks.
Here's the deal. When MC sends the sound to your sound card, you hear it 500ms later. This is roughly an 8th note delay.
You are playing, and recording in time with what you hear, and it is faithfully recorded 1/2 second behind the original note event.
Depending on how the Line6 was set, you may have heard the same effect, but possibly to a lesser degree.
If you can keep the latency to 20ms or less, it is virtually imperceptible. It may still need a tiny nudge to be spot on, but not as dramatic as what you are hearing now.
This is where a good sound card becomes such an important part of the picture.
If you record with VST effects, such as amp sims, as I do routinely, it becomes imperative, because the delay compounds even further.
Make sense?

Thanks for all of the responses!  It does make a lot of sense now that you've all clarified.  I searched the forum for similar issues, and suspected latency, but what threw me for a loop was that I experienced the problem with the Line 6 USB device.  I was under the impression that it served as a sound card, and because it seems to be designed for this type of thing, that latency was not the issue.  I think it's time to invest in a good sound card as I prefer the old school sound of a mic'd up tube amp to a simulator (unless it's Axe-FX which I can't justify spending the money on!)  Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

Which Line6 device do you have?
I'm not sure about their more basic models, but the UX2 should be capable of 10ms, using its native ASIO drivers.
The default setting is fairly high, but you can adjust it in the Gearbox panel.

RobertB


Which Line6 device do you have?
I'm not sure about their more basic models, but the UX2 should be capable of 10ms, using its native ASIO drivers.
The default setting is fairly high, but you can adjust it in the Gearbox panel.

It was an original Line 6 POD that I borrowed.  I don't own one currently, but I mentioned it because I used it as a troubleshooting step.  I was thinking of picking up an Alesis IO2 Express as a USB input device.  Anyone ever use one or can recommend an inexpensive alternative?

ASIO drivers RULE!