How to improve latency issues (Using SD3 with midi controller)

[Jace]

Hi~

I would like to use SD3 with my midi controller to play Drums Live in gigs. Right now i am experiencing some issues with Latency.

Issues:
1) I can feel latency when i play my midi controller to trigger the SD3 sound. I tried to play around the “Buffer size” in the “Audio/Midi Setup”. When I select “64”, the latency seems to be less detectable but crackling sound can be heard from time to time. And when i select “512”, the latency is more significant with lesser crackling sound. Is there a way I can solve the latency issue with no crackling sound? Any suggestion is good. I have included my setup specification for reference here.

2) SD3 went idle (no sound) when i tried to trigger my midi controller  after stop playing for sometime. However, it works (produce sound) when i use my mouse to click on the drums images in the software. It seems like the midi usb lost its connection or got choked after idling for sometimes. Is there any way to workaround or rectify?

3) I have 2 setup available to run this circuit.
A) MacBook Pro <–> Midi USB Cable (USB 2.0) <–> Midi Controller
B) Macbook Pro <–> Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3.0) Audio interface <–> Midi Controller

Is it better to have an audio interface to run the circuit (for gigging live)?  I seems to experience more latency when i run the Option B setup.

My current Setup:
1) Macbook Pro:
– OSX Yosemite Version 10.10.3
– Processor 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7
– Memory 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3
– Storage: 1 TB Flash Storage (Currently 118.9 GB free)

2) USB Midi Cable (USB 2.0)
3) Midi Controller
4) ZOOM UAC-2 (USB 3.0)

Any help or suggestions will be much appreciated 🙂

Topic

[Jace]

Bum! Any tech support here?

[Kurt F]

Hi Jace.

Just my 2 cents here:

– I have TD50 triggering SD3 via normal USB connection on my old (2012) MacBook Pro. I have experimented with different audio interfaces and found that ALL USB 2 versions I have tried had noticeable latency no matter how low I set buffersize.

The UAC-2 is USB 3 capable which give higher bandwith but NOT lower native latency compared to USB2. The higher bandwith of USB3 should give less cracking at low buffer settings but again no improvement in inherent latency (USB 3.1 should improve that )

ONLY and I mean ONLY cure that completely eliminated latency issues for me was to use a pure genuine Thunderbolt interface which almost extend the PCIe interface directly into a cable 🙂

I have used the ZOOM Tac-2 Thunderbolt Audio interface for some years now with zero issues and the absolute joy of NO perceptible latency at all.

BR

Kurt

2

Thanked by: nickracine and Jace

[John]

Hi,

 

Kurt has a point and it really comes down to the Audio/MIDI interface and its drivers. I would check into the manufacturers that claim to have the lowest latency drivers, like e.g. RME or Focusrite.

Personally I run an Thunderbolt 2 Apollo interface for low latency Audio with a USB MIDI interface but I haven’t used my e-drums for a while.

BR,

John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

1

Thanked by: Jace

[Guitarwildman]

Kurt, I’m looking to solve this latency issue and just wanted to check in… I’m looking at pulling the trigger on this Zoom tac-2 but wanted to reach out to you first?… Are you using some driver provided by Zoom?  ALso, are you using SD3 stand-alone, or within your DAW (I’ve been using it stand-alone, but had the silly idea, that perhaps as a plugin in my DAW it would use more cores, etc vs stand-alone)?  Also, what are you using for the midi from your TD50 to your laptop?… (meaining, USB from TD50, or 5pin midi din in the back to your laptop – not sure which interface/brand may be faster?

Thanks for listening… this latency is bugging the hell out of me… – grin.. I don’t really want to buy a zoom tac-2 if there’s now an even faster one that you know about.. don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it – ha ha..

 

Rock-on!

John

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.1.7
Operating system: Windows 10

[khyde1972]

Hi Kurt,

I’m also trying to solve latency issues with Yamaha DTX 950, Superior drummer 3 & Mac mini.

I’m interested to know how you connect the drum module to the computer. Does it connect directly to the computer with a midi cable or via the Tac 2?

interested to know before I go ahead & purchase the Zoom Tac-2

Does the interface just connect the Mac to the PA?

 

Thanks

Kev

 

Operating system: macOS Sonoma (14)

[Author]

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