Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool

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Wave
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2012/05/15 10:35:44 (permalink)

Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool

I was concerned about my PCI card latency (due to the recent topics).  Has anyone used this free tool  http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml  to test your audio interface latency?
 
If so what was your results?
post edited by Wave - 2012/05/15 10:52:44

Cheers,

Wave




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#1

12 Replies Related Threads

    pwal
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 11:52:45 (permalink)

    list of stuff
    #2
    Wave
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 12:20:03 (permalink)
     Would this test mean that I have no problems with my legacy PCI sound card on my system?
     
    I don't want to loose any more sleep.
     
    Thanks in advance.
     
     
    post edited by Wave - 2012/05/16 07:20:32

    Cheers,

    Wave




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    Jim Roseberry
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 12:39:27 (permalink)
    Don't confuse audio latency with DPC latency.
    Two very different things.
     
    You're likely already familiar with audio latency (determined by the audio interface and its driver - as well as any added latent plugins).  
     
    I'm short on time... so I'll keep this brief.
    Windows is technically not a realtime OS.  Things can happen so quickly that it feels realtime... but all tasks are scheduled via what's called a Deferred Procedure Call.  The lower the system's DPC latency, the closer the OS is to being realtime.  If you're really pushing the limits of ultra low latency audio, then DPC latency must be as low/consistent as possible.
     
    Low/consistent DPC latency is certainly a good thing... but it doesn't mean you won't encounter problems with a PCI audio interface and the (newer generation) motherboard's PCI bridge chip.
    Two totally separate things...
     
    post edited by Jim Roseberry - 2012/05/15 14:06:54

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
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    #4
    Wave
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 12:52:18 (permalink)
    Jim Roseberry


    Don't confuse audio latency with DPC latency.
    Two very different things.
     
    You're likely already familiar with audio latency (determined by the audio interface and its driver - as well as any added latent plugins).  
     
    I'm short on time... so I'll keep this brief.
    Windows is technically not a realtime OS.  Things can happen so quickly that it feels realtime... but all tasks are scheduled via what's called a Defered Proceedure Call.  The lower the system's DPC latency, the closer the OS is to being realtime.  If you're really pushing the limits of ultra low latency audio, then DPC latency must be as low/consistent as possible.
     
    Low/consistent DPC latency is certainly a good thing... but it doesn't mean you won't encounter problems with a PCI audio interface and the (newer generation) motherboard's PCI bridge chip.
    Two totally separate things...
     


    Thanks for clearing that up and for all you help.

    Cheers,

    Wave




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    #5
    pwal
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 12:55:29 (permalink)
    jim's da man

    list of stuff
    #6
    Beepster
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 18:16:33 (permalink)
    Hmm... I wonder if this DPC latency thingy might be causing my dropout problems. How would I go about finding those settings? Man... I'm learning so much here. You guys rock.
    #7
    Beepster
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/15 18:19:03 (permalink)
    Oh and when I was on the phone with Cake support yesterday he recommended a latency CPU usage checker thingy. I made a note of it on my other system but I'll try to remember to post it here when I boot it up. Don't think I'll be doing that today though. I need a break.
    #8
    Keni
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/16 17:49:05 (permalink)
    Thanks Jim... Well chosen words... Nailed it in minimal time. Your DPC is excellent! ;-) Keni

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    #9
    Cactus Music
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/16 18:31:10 (permalink)
    If you run the DPCLAT meter and find it's spiking in the red, you then have to look for resource hogging processes. 1st is the wireless network card, laptops , battery management, Open task manager and see how many processes are running. it's a witch hunt. It seems to not be an issue anymore with windows 7 64 bit.

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    skylightron
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/16 19:03:41 (permalink)
    What are some steps you can take to lower the systems DPC Latency?
    #11
    pwal
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/17 03:58:14 (permalink)
    the website has a lot of useful info http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml

    list of stuff
    #12
    jadonx
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    Re:Audio Interface Latency Checker - test tool 2012/05/17 06:57:24 (permalink)
    I used this awhile ago and found my network card was causing drop outs. I just placed a shortcut on task bar to disable when using Sonar.

    John
    #13
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