Hi,
 
I recently had a new DAW PC build by a professional DAW builder. It's a dual-boot (BIOS load menu) monster which cost me close to 3000 euros (including several SSD/HDDs/Fractal R5 case/silent fans etc.)
 
Most important specs  of the DAW OS are: i7-4790k/Asus Z97-Pro/Samsung 850 Pro 256GB/16GB RAM/GTX 960 2 GB running on Win 8.1 (64x).
 
Now the thing is I expected 'off-the-charts' performance and while I'm super glad with the overall performance I'm somewhat disappointed in the roundtrip latency with my Steinberg UR44 interface.
 
The roundtrip latency in Sonar X3 is 11.6 ms! Also in Live 9 and Cubase AI 7 it's over 11 ms on 96/44.1.
 
I realise the numbers given in your DAW are not 100% exact but still...
I have checked every known tweak for Windows (no wi-fi/prioritize background services/CPU load/USB power options/turbo-boost on-off etc.), disabled all additional services (which are minimal anyway since it's a dedicated DAW OS), unplugging printer, using wired keyboard instead of wireless, using USB2.0/3.0 port etc. etc. but I can't get the latency any lower.
 
DPC latency is fine btw. it's just the roundtrip latency which annoys me. As a jazz-pianist and vocalist I notice everything above 10ms and sometimes even 8ms can feel 'weird' so I am desperately looking for some ways to lower it.
 
Can any Steinberg UR44 users tell me their experience and/or numbers and/or does anyone have some advice where to look further?

You are supposed to be able to use zero latency monitoring. 
From: http://www.steinberg.net/...eries/models/ur44.html

Project studios

While smaller project studios might not need a huge analog desk or dozens of inputs, they do require outstanding audio quality and the ability to record a wide range of musicians, vocalists and other audio sources. Phantom power for highest quality condenser mics is just as important as a feature as the ability to connect several pairs of monitors for A/B-ing mixes on different speaker combinations. Need to quickly record guitar to add to your score or song? Just plug in a guitar to a Hi-Z input and record your guitar with DSP FX and no latency. Record all your digital instruments and connect MIDI controller keyboards to completely integrate all your gear in one compact, portable interface.

 
The most powerful computer won't overcome the latency of the audio interface.
 
You have to pay for really low latency, like RME.
 

A 3000E computer and 200E interface - I think we see where the latency problem is (to paraphrase the TV commericals over here, price is no guarantee of performance but it sure helps).
 
You can probably get your interface to work, but RME or the new Lynx PCI cards would be better on many levels.
 
@
 
 

Zargg71
You are supposed to be able to use zero latency monitoring. 
From: http://www.steinberg.net/...eries/models/ur44.html

 
True, but that is for direct monitoring, not playing VST's.
 

Paul P
The most powerful computer won't overcome the latency of the audio interface.

 
I realise that but it's a symbiotic relationship and although the UR44 is not top-shelf, in it's class it's excellent and I expected it to be able to do <10 ms, especially since Steinberg products usually have fine drivers and with my 10 yo Edirol UA-25 I got about the same latency on a dual-core CPU.
 

AT
A 3000E computer and 200E interface - I think we see where the latency problem is (to paraphrase the TV commericals over here, price is no guarantee of performance but it sure helps).
 

 
Sounds a bit cynical (not sure if you intended it that way though) but there's a reason I had it build by a professional DAW builder with the best components available to avoid DPC latency/IRQ and/or compatibilty issues plus it's a dual-boot so basically it's a 2-in-1 OS PC that had to be future proof for a while.
 
Obviously there are better (and more expensive) AI's but even in the lower/middle class I've seen AI's that get <10 ms latency. I'm simply curious what the roundtrip latency is for other users of the UR44 for comparisson's sake.

Nothing sinister - but a little ironic ;-) But yea, I would assume you would get better latency w/ any modern unit, esp. for playback only.  I'm also assuming your computer maker tweaked it for your interface.  If not, I'd check with them and see if they have any suggestions.  And then check Steinberg to see how often they've updated drivers.  If they've done one in the last 6 months you might want to switch rather than wait.  Even my molasses-slow Tascam uh7000 beats your ur44 for playback. 
 
good hunting on this.
 
@

I don't think one can tweak a system for a specific (USB) interface but I contacted them already but -as expected- they point towards Steinberg. Also I'm pretty knowledgeable with PC's and DAW tweaking myself so I checked all known configuration tweaks.
 
Steinberg on the other hand has louzy customer support. The forums are virtually dead and support atm is absent due to NAMM plus the first time I spoke to them they didn't have a copy of Sonar X3 for testing (ffs!).
 
Their drivers get updated on a regular basis and the last one solved an issue with USB 3.0 ports not working properly so... This is why I'm curious about other people on this forum using UR44 since Sonar is my go-to DAW.
 
Btw. I'm really talking about roundtrip latency (VST's and software FX) since playback and direct monitoring is okay.