Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency setting

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wst3
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2015/03/29 18:03:32 (permalink)

Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency setting

May be as intended, but it confused the heck out of me yesterday for a good 30 minutes!

Recipe:
1) switch from ASIO to either WDM or WASAPI
2) arm any audio input
3) try to make noise
Expected:
rational default latency
Noise, sound, anything<G>
Result:
minimum latency
Instant audio engine shutdown (100% repeatable)
 
Switching back to ASIO resolves the problem, as does setting the latency to something sane. Oddly, disabling the audio input also allows the engine to run, but it stutters.
 
In the past latency for Windows driver models always defaulted to something in the middle, which makes more sense since I had set the buffers size for my interface to it's highest value at one point and still had the dropouts.

Now that I know this won't be a problem, but it could cause confusion for others.

I need to use WASAPI (which is working just fine thank you) because I have multiple devices I need to use.
 
System Info:
  • CPU: Intel i7-4790
  • Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme4
  • BIOS: AMI P1.30 (05/23/2014)
  • Operating system: Windows Home Premium 8.1
  • RAM: 32GB - Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 32GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9
  • Presonus 1818VSL
  • Line6 PODxt

-- Bill
Audio Enterprise
KB3KJF
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    robert_e_bone
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 19:48:38 (permalink)
    Hi - I am going to move this to the Sonar forum until it gets confirmed by others as a bug.
     
    Bob Bone
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
    Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) 
    Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22
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    Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others
    MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es
    Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms  
    #2
    wst3
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 19:53:26 (permalink)
    Not a problem - thought about posting it here, but it seemed like a bug<G>...

    -- Bill
    Audio Enterprise
    KB3KJF
    #3
    John
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 20:11:26 (permalink)
    First off you have two sound cards. That can be a problem. One or the other needs to be your primary and your timing master. 
     
    I use WDM myself. I have found that you will need to set the latency for your needs and the project. Low latency for composing with soft synths and higher for mixing with plugins. 
     
     

    Best
    John
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    wst3
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 20:20:09 (permalink)
    Interesting comment John - I've used 2 or more audio devices since forever. Previously I used a Frontier Dakota/Montana, a Presonus Firebox, and the PODxt. The WDM drivers from Frontier were fantastic.
     
    The WDM and WASAPI drivers for the Presonus 1818VSL don't seem as solid as their ASIO drivers, and I'm not sure that the Line6 WDM/WASAPI drivers are any better.

    Then there is the fact that I sometimes use other products, products that might not support WDM or WASAPI. But that is a separate issue<G>.

    So it isn't the end of the world, but when you use WDM or WASAPI you have to go to edit/preferences/audio to change latency, and that is not nearly as user friendly as a tray app that pops up and lets you change the buffer size.

    Even with my current DAW I do need to increase latency to mix larger projects. So I'm kind of stuck I guess.

    And then there are audio devices that don't support WDM or WASAPI, but fortunately for me I do not own any such critters right now.
     

    -- Bill
    Audio Enterprise
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    John
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 20:58:08 (permalink)
    wst3
    Interesting comment John - I've used 2 or more audio devices since forever. Previously I used a Frontier Dakota/Montana, a Presonus Firebox, and the PODxt. The WDM drivers from Frontier were fantastic.
     
    The WDM and WASAPI drivers for the Presonus 1818VSL don't seem as solid as their ASIO drivers, and I'm not sure that the Line6 WDM/WASAPI drivers are any better.

    Then there is the fact that I sometimes use other products, products that might not support WDM or WASAPI. But that is a separate issue<G>.

    So it isn't the end of the world, but when you use WDM or WASAPI you have to go to edit/preferences/audio to change latency, and that is not nearly as user friendly as a tray app that pops up and lets you change the buffer size.

    Even with my current DAW I do need to increase latency to mix larger projects. So I'm kind of stuck I guess.

    And then there are audio devices that don't support WDM or WASAPI, but fortunately for me I do not own any such critters right now.
     


    I don't run the ASIO panel. So for me it is actually quicker to run WDM. You're right drivers can very greatly. I'm lucky I have good solid drivers all the way around. 

    Best
    John
    #6
    mudgel
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 21:16:53 (permalink)
    Does Sonar do a profile of your device when changing from ASIO to WDM? It needs to do that to check its settings.

    Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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    #7
    Vastman
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 21:22:30 (permalink)
    So, John... do you use WDM as it's better than ASIO?  I've always thought ASIO was best.  I have a focusrite "Forte"...
     
    ASIO works fine for me but would love to know why I might want to switch to WDM... thanks all...

    Dana
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    #8
    scook
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 21:39:27 (permalink)
    Won't the POD connect to the Presonus with the S/PDIF ports?
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    Vastman
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    Re: Changing driver model (ASIO vs WDM vs WASAPI) defaults to lowest possible latency sett 2015/03/29 21:41:12 (permalink)
    couldn't get wdm to work on the forte but asio is fine... was just curious (it's suppose to have wdm drivers though...)

    Dana
    We make the future... Climate Change Music
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    #10
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