NokturatI have 2 questions. The main problem that I am trying to fix is latency.
The first question I have is. Should I use an audio interface or a midi interface to connect my electronic drumset?
The second question I have is. Could the latency be caused by the USB hub I am using?
There is a slight ~4ms delay with SD3 that is very noticeable while playing.
I recently purchased SD3 and am very impressed with all of the features. I am planning on using SD3 to replace the cheesy sounds of my Alesis Crimson Pro II electronic drum kit with more realistic sounds. I am using a 4 port USB hub that plugs into my laptop. Plugged into this 4-port USB hub, I have my wireless mouse/keyboard receiver, a 500GB flash drive containing all the sound libraries and things to do with SD3 (since my laptop storage isn’t big enough), and the USB cable that runs from my Alesis module. My OS is Windows 10. I am not using any additional DAWS, just SD3 standalone.
First question
I have heard that one of the main ways to get rid of latency is to use an audio interface. I am sort of a noob so I looked up what an audio interface was and in my reading, I found that a MIDI interface could also be used. However, I don’t know if buying a MIDI interface would solve the latency issue as an audio interface would. A MIDI interface would be really nice since I actually have an additional module (used for my kick) that I want to use with SD3.
If an audio interface is the best option for reducing latency, what should I look for in an audio interface? What kind of ports should it have to allow me to hook up my e-drums to my laptop?
Second Question
As said above, I am using a 4-port USB hub that plugs into my laptop. The hub has a cable that transfers midi from my e-drums to SD3. I am wondering if the latency issues I am having could be caused by this USB hub.
Bear-Faced CowYour latency is more than likely being caused by a high audio buffer setting. If you are using SD3 as a standalone, go to your Audio/MIDI Settings in SD3 and try lowering the audio buffer. Getting a decent audio interface is usually a good thing for these types of things, as well as providing better audio capabilities.
jord
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Thanked by: Nokturat
ShootieAn audio interface is always the way to go… but your computer specs are going to be a main cause for latency. You don’t mention your computer specs.
I use a USB 3.0 hub, work fine. Also I’m surprised 4ms is a problem for you, there’s probably something else causing more latency than that.
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Thanked by: NokturatBear-Faced CowWilling to bet it’s probably a lot larger that 4ms. 4ms is rather imperceptible to the human ear.
jord
NokturatYeah, I have tried changing the buffer size to the lowest it can go and it still isn’t seamless. I am thinking if I use Reaper and ASIO4All, then it might help the latency?
NokturatI am using a Windows Surface laptop. It has 8 GB of ram, an Intel I5 7300 CPU, and about 126GB of space (hence why I am using a flash drive for SD3 libraries).
Yeah, I am sure the latency is coming from somewhere else, just haven’t found out what it is yet :/
KenMy first question is are you running in a DAW or in standalone mode.
I run a studio capture UA1610 with an ASIO setting of 128 samples @ 44100 hz. in standalone. I have absolutely no delay in audio reproduction. I have however in the past within cubase, had latency issues. That was before the latest version of superior drummer and Cubase.
Your processor in your machine is also very important as it streams all of the audio data from the samples that are being triggered by superior drummer. Needless to say solid-state drives are the best option, as well as as many processors in your CPU as you can afford. My new machine is running an I-9 with 10 hyper thread processors. This allows to drop the latency on whatever audio interface you want, to a bare minimum and process the audio through the conversion from digital to analogue to be reproduced in your headphones. Thus no audio delay.
Good luck and happy drumming.
Cheers Ken
SD 3.3.6 on Windows 10 | Cubase 11 Pro DAW
expansions : N.Y.Avitar | Latin percussion
Yamaha multi 12 | DTX 450k | Trigger IO (x2)
Super stupid fast computer with i9 and 18 speed double clutch gearbox
5. Audio interfaces.
KenGet it running in standalone mode first before introducing any DAW issues. Your delay is probably more like 40 ms.
Cheers Ken
SD 3.3.6 on Windows 10 | Cubase 11 Pro DAW
expansions : N.Y.Avitar | Latin percussion
Yamaha multi 12 | DTX 450k | Trigger IO (x2)
Super stupid fast computer with i9 and 18 speed double clutch gearbox
5. Audio interfaces.
Mark KingYou need to make that distinction between midi and audio. Midi sends instructions only. There is no audio involved in midi. If your ekit sends midi over usb then stick with that for the midi part of it.
So to audio. The onboard audio of a laptop is usually pretty poor. You can use asio4all and drop buffers but a lot will depend on the power of your computer to how low you can get these. The computer power also comes into play with an audio interface. Now sone audio interfaces have midi and some don’t. If you get one with midi then you could save a USB port by using the midi as well as audio on the interface.
I really wouldn’t be happy using an audio interface on a shared USB port and definitely not along with a mouse and keyboard. Does your pc only have one USB port? Is there no way to give an audio interface an exclusive USB port?
You haven’t mentioned the spec of your pc either as a lot will depend on this.
SD3 with older sdx,s plus Rooms of Hansa and Death & Darkness. Cubase and wavelab current versions. Roland TD50x using all trigger inputs for triggering SD3 only. Windows 11 computer. Various keyboards and outboard gear as well as VST instruments. Acoustic drums: Yamaha 9000 natural wood and Pearl masters. Various snare drums. RME BabyFace Pro FS and Adam A7X monitors
NokturatI am using SD3 standalone. I am using a Windows Surface laptop. It has 8 GB of ram, an Intel I5 7300 CPU, and about 126GB of space
NokturatI am using a Windows Surface laptop. It has 8 GB of ram, an Intel I5 7300 CPU, and about 126GB of space. The Windows Surface that I have only has 1 USB port. I could technically put SD3 onto my PC which would most likely run it better than my laptop, and has tons of USB inputs, but I feel like it’s a little silly to do that when it’s all the way in another room. Meaning I would have to get some super long USB cables and stuff lol.
Could you possibly send a link to an audio interface that would work for my setup? Just so that I know what to be looking for if I get one.
Mark KingI haven’t heard any success stories using a surface pro but maybe someone can help out if they are running sd3 well on one. 8gig is not really enough memory but I think others do manage on 8gig. The only interface I can recommend is what I use as I haven’t really looked into lower end ones. So I use a RME Babyface pro fs which gives low latency even at higher buffer settings. I certainly wouldn’t guarantee anything though if you are using a hub with other devices attached.
SD3 with older sdx,s plus Rooms of Hansa and Death & Darkness. Cubase and wavelab current versions. Roland TD50x using all trigger inputs for triggering SD3 only. Windows 11 computer. Various keyboards and outboard gear as well as VST instruments. Acoustic drums: Yamaha 9000 natural wood and Pearl masters. Various snare drums. RME BabyFace Pro FS and Adam A7X monitors
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