Audio Buffer Size Wont Go Lower Than 144

[Deliriums]

Hello
Trying to use EZDrummer3 standalone and all the set up instructions I find start by dropping the Audio Buffer size down to double digits to reduce lag but I can’t drop mine below 144 samples.
My Audio/Midi Setup is the following:

Audio Device Type: WASAPI
Output: Headphones
Active output channels: Output channel 1 + 2
Sample Rate: 48000 HZ
Audio buffer size : 144 samples (cant drop it any lower, options aren’t there)
Active MIDI Inputs: Alesis Surge

I’m running Windows 11 with an I9CPU and 32GB RAM.
If anyone can help me figure out how to lower the buffer size I’d greatly appreciate it, the lag at 144 is far too much to play with on my electronic drum kit.

EZdrummer version: 3.0.4
Operating system: Windows 11

Topic

[Scott]

I would suggest ASIO drivers. Possibly ASIO4ALL would work for you. Or a more professional audio interface work native ASIO drivers.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

1

Thanked by: Deliriums

[dokrok5150]

ah… 3ms is really good so if you are experiencing noticeable lag contrary to what your eyes tell you your ears are hearing the real lag time which if you can hear it it is obviously much longer than 3ms. So I would think that your lag is being introduced somewhere else in your audio chain and I would blame using the Windows WASAPI.  WASAPI is fine for gaming, streaming audio, etc. but bad for pro audio monitoring. ASIO is the go to. Google the difference between them. Do you have an interface? If not you should.

Long ago when I got my first laptop I loaded Studio One with all it’s plugins along with EZdrummer. Opened a song I had done on my desktop and… what the??? Tracks not playing back correctly, pops, busses, stuttering… I started a new song on the laptop, hit record and started playing my keyboard. The latency was terrible. Thats when I learned that you don’t use WASAPI. Grabbed my spare Presonus interface, plugged it in, set audio driver to ASIO and boom! All is good.

I’m attaching screenshots of my old (2008) Tascam US-1641 interface for your reference. It still works and and I have no issues with it. Notice the latency times. So 3ms is almost instantaneous. ASIO, young pilgrim, ASIO…

ps: I also use a Roland TD-3 with no issues. Good luck.

EZdrummer version: 3.0.4
Operating system: Windows 10

1

Thanked by: Deliriums

[Deliriums]

I appreciate the response!  I switched over to ASIO using ASIO4ALL and yes you were correct, the lag disappeared while not needing to go crazy low on the buffer size. Now I just need to learn about how ASIO works and get it going through my headphones.  Thanks again on the help!

[ASE-Tech]

Had the same problem recently. I’m using ASIO4ALL and what a difference! I’m set at 5.4ms and every now and then hit a slight audio glitch but all in all, Spot On!

[Author]

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