Re: Latency Issues Through Interface When Recording! HELP!!
2018/12/03 12:22:36
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The 2i2 is specifically designed to run with Focusrite ASIO drivers, PERIOD!
Make sure you are running the latest released version.
If you are using a 2i2 Gen 2 it will be version release 2.3.4.
Check in your registered Focusrite user account to find the correct version for 1st gen 2i2.
If you don't have a registered user account create one whether you acquired the 2i2 or not, they don't care, and you are entitled to download a very good plugin bundle guaranteed to work well with the 2i2 easy on the CPU and with the lowest latency.
DO NOT USE DIRECT MONITORING ON THE 2i2 AND INPUT MONITORING IN SONAR/CAKEWALK AT THE SAME TIME FOR RECORDING!
That will double your signal path and increase latency
The smaller the buffer size the lower the latency and the smaller the buffer size you use the more computer speed, power and resources you will need.
Also the smaller buffer size you set, the less tracks and plugins you will be able to run unless you increase the buffer size as you go along, and than again increase it even more for mixing sessions.
In my experience using Cakewalk and Pro Tools with a Focusrite 18i20 gen 2, repeatedly changing the buffer size does weird things to the DAWs.
Leaving the buffer set to 128 bit depth set to 24 always provides for the smoothest most rock solid performance in both 44.1 k/Hz and 48 k/Hz frequency rates with a solid, stable, trouble and artifact free effective recording latency of 2.7 msec.
I've found it takes a pretty robust computer system and audio interface to operate trouble free and smoothly with the buffers set to a bit depth of 128.
Please take note that I am not recommending that you set your buffer to 128 just because I do. I'm recommending you find the "Sweet Spot" for your system.
But I'd be more than willing to bet it isn't under a buffer size of 128.
And being ALL computer systems are different, I'm pretty sure that's why the Bakers of Cakewalk have always set the initial installation default buffer size to a nice, safe middle ground of 256 bit zone, which always worked out well for me with every audio interface I've ever used. MOTU, M-Audio Delta, 1st gen Focusrite.
It wasn't until the 2sd gen Focusrite, boasting the world's lowest latency for any USB 2 interface did I reduce to buffer bit depth size of 128.
Yes, I can lower the buffer and raise the frequency rate to go down to 0.7 msec effective recording latency, but there is no reason or recording/ monitoring benefits to do so.
And than I would have to increase the buffer size for mixing sessions once I reach the 36 track point with dozens of plugins running to avoid clicking and popping artifacts and an unnecessarily very busy and over worked CPU.
So just because you can doesn't mean you should.
I'm a firm believer in finding the sweet spot in system configuration settings, set them there and leave them ALONE, and forget about it.
Just move along and concentrate on other things like, umm, maybe learning and understanding the differences between VCA, FET, and OPT type compressors is always good to know.
Or maybe, just maybe learning and understanding the differences between typically used resource friendly "Track" plugins, and high powered CPU stomping "Buss" plugins that will push latency past places it should go to simply by using too many instances at a time.
Learn why that even because you Can use multiple instances of these high powered "Buss" plugins on "Tracks", doesn't mean you should..
They will surely send latency through the roof no matter what your buffer size it set to.
But on the + side, the increasing latency should be taken seriously because it's a fair warning not to over do it with placing too many high powered "Buss" plugins on "Tracks" in your FX bins, because once you reach the CPU's breaking point, there are no if's, ands, or buts about it. YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH THE DAW!
Steev on Bandlab.com Custom built workstation. Windows 10 Pro x64. SONAR Platinum. Cakewalk by Bandlab.Sony Sound Forge Pro 10, ACID Pro 7, Vegas Pro 11Pro Tools. ASRock 990FX mobo, AMD FX 8370 8-Core. 16 gb DDR3 PC1866 G Skill Ripjaws X RAM. AMD FirePro V4900 1gb DDR5 accelerated graphics card. Behringer X Touch DAW ControllerFocusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen 2, OctoPre MkllWestern Digital 500GB SSD bootdrive, WD 500GB 10k rpm VelociRaptor for DAW projects . 2x1 TB WD Caviar Black SATA3 storage drives