WDM or ASIO ?

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kev11111111111111
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2010/11/14 06:58:27 (permalink)

WDM or ASIO ?

Hey
I've just bought a new sound card,and it gives me the option to choose between WDM and ASIO.Given the choice between the two - is one better than the other ? I use a lot of VST instruments (Vienna etc) - so having said that,do you know which option would be best for me ?
thanks in advance for any help
Kev
 
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    vinski
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 07:13:07 (permalink)
    I have found that ASIO is better for lower, stable latencies.  WDM can be good for mixing with higher latencies and lots of plugs.  So if you need to play 'live' with these VSTi's I'd go for ASIO.

    But give them both a try, takes a second to change it back.

    Rock on!

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    #2
    Beagle
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 08:18:24 (permalink)
    it depends entirely on the drivers and how each of them are written.

    try each one and see which is better.

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 08:24:26 (permalink)
    Generally, if the interface/soundcard supports ASIO drivers, that would be the better one to use.

    That is a general rule and applies most of the time. However, if the ASIO driver gives problems, by all means try other drivers.

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    DW_Mike
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 09:15:44 (permalink)
    For my set up, the WDM driver works better all around.
    Could never get the ASIO driver to play nicely.

    It's not that one is 'better' then the other, it's which one works best for you.
    I seriously doubt that there is anyone (on this planet at least) that could listen to a song and say 'This was definately recorded and mixed using ASIO/WDM'.

    Mike  

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    aixmusique
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 14:33:16 (permalink)
    asio driver if it works all right for you is in general the best option
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    kev11111111111111
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 15:08:24 (permalink)
    vinski


    I have found that ASIO is better for lower, stable latencies.  WDM can be good for mixing with higher latencies and lots of plugs.  So if you need to play 'live' with these VSTi's I'd go for ASIO.

    But give them both a try, takes a second to change it back.

    Rock on!

    Groovey ! I have tried both yep.Not spent much time though mixing with WDM. To be honest I haven't noticed a big differance between the two ! I've been mixing with ASIO for the last couple of weeks,so  maybe I will switch to WDM and give it a couple weeks too.See how it goes I guess ! Thanks
    Kev
     
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    kev11111111111111
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 15:10:20 (permalink)
    Beagle


    it depends entirely on the drivers and how each of them are written.

    try each one and see which is better.

    Yes trail and error is probably the best way I think ! I'll give it a try and see what happens..
    Thanks
    Kev
     
    #8
    kev11111111111111
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 15:15:59 (permalink)
    Guitarhacker


    Generally, if the interface/soundcard supports ASIO drivers, that would be the better one to use.

    That is a general rule and applies most of the time. However, if the ASIO driver gives problems, by all means try other drivers.

    Yep I thought I heard something like that on ASIO too.When I first bought my present computer (about 5 years ago !) this is the way the computer was configured then with ASIO.Been having a lot of problems with this computer lately (probably cos its ancient) so I've been trying out differant ways of getting more milage out of it lol.Luckly I'm getting a new computer on the way but its still kinda of cool to know this stuff huh ?!
    Kev
     
    #9
    kev11111111111111
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 15:19:54 (permalink)
    chefmike8888


    For my set up, the WDM driver works better all around.
    Could never get the ASIO driver to play nicely.

    It's not that one is 'better' then the other, it's which one works best for you.
    I seriously doubt that there is anyone (on this planet at least) that could listen to a song and say 'This was definately recorded and mixed using ASIO/WDM'.

    Mike  

    Yes I guess you have to use whatever is right for you,I see what you're saying ! I'm gonna give WDM a weeks trial and see if it improves my computers performance.Getting a new computer soon so hopefully this issue won't be an issue by then :)
    Thanks for post,
    Kev
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    kev11111111111111
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 15:27:29 (permalink)
    aixmusique


    asio driver if it works all right for you is in general the best option
     
    Yep I think I need to experiment :)
    K
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    syntheticpop
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 18:46:53 (permalink)
    do you guys prefer the regular ASIO or ASIO 4 All?  which is more stable and why did they come out with an ASIO 4 All?
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/14 19:21:12 (permalink)
    ASIO is the original.

    ASIO4ALL is a wrapper I think...kind of a patch to make the other drivers act like an ASIO driver. I might have the details wrong, but I'm understanding that ASIO4ALL works well in some circumstances and not very well in others.

    If you can NOT run an ASIO driver you can try A4A if you are having problems with the other drivers.

    My website & music: www.herbhartley.com

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    #13
    fsr76
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/11/15 14:36:50 (permalink)
    The ASIO driver should be able to perform at a lower latency than the WDM driver, but certain sound cards might work better with WDM.  However, I can't think of any at the moment.  Maybe some non-pro audio cards work better using the WDM driver.  

    Fred
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    aldousbailey
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    Re:WDM or ASIO ? 2010/12/04 08:23:44 (permalink)
    WDM I use with my card and I have 4 entries. WDM is not only stereo. Cakewalk has been designed to use WDM drivers. ASIO support was added later. What is the best really depends on the quality of your sound card drivers that a. Some companies do better than ASIO WDM drivers. I would say you should try both and use the best for your system.
    #15
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