Hi latency settings

About a month ago I began experiencing dropouts.  I am using Sonar 6.2.1.  Cakewalk support told me to increase the buffer size (latency).  At that time it was 256, so I doubled it to 512.  That fixed the problem.

This morning however, I started experienced dropouts again.  I upped the buffer size to 768 and Sonar is working, but it takes some seconds for it to "Play" when I hit the space bar.

I understand that the higher buffer size might be masking another problem, but I am interested in what the drawbacks are for having the higher buffer size/latency.

Thanks in advance.

FYI
- Systemax™ Venture™ Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX
- VX2 Intel®Core™2 Duo E6700 2.67GHz, 4MB L2 cache, 1066MHz FSB
- 2GB DDR2
- 2×250GB SATA RAID
- 1×300GB SATA
- 1x1000GB SATA
Windows XP

CJaysMusic


The drawbacks are what your experiencing. Delays in actions taking and a delay if you use input echo..
Other than that, your ok..

The bigger your projects get (track counts, effetcs) the more it demands is made on your CPU. The higher latency settings subside these demands.
Cj

Thanks cj.  What would you consider a high latency setting??

Tom

CJaysMusic


Its really relative. 7ms might be low for someone and high for someone else..
I suggest you use what works best for that project. Latency doesn't effect sound quality, so just use a setting that doesnt make your audio drop out and one that feels ok when you tweak settings. You'Ll have to find that right setting though, as each PC, project and sound card are different and will behave different.
Cj

Thanks cj

johnnyV


You do not mention which interface/ sound card you are using?
You might have other issues you might need to address first. Changing buffer settings is only a band-aid if so. Sonar and your audio drivers will pre set your Buffer to what they think is appropriate. This is normally 128 or 256 or something close to that depending on interface. Having to go above 256 when running an average sized project  to me means your need to see why?

I have a FireFace 800 which has served me well.  This started a couple of weeks ago and I am at a loss as to what is causing it.  My projects are small, so it isn't that.  Also I have no other apps running.

Is there a protocol for discovering the problem?

Thanks.

And use ASIO mode.