• Registered: 2020-04-25
  • Posts: 8

Topic: Fireface 800 - Latency issue on one channel

Hi all,

I am currently dealing with small but noticeable latency on one source input in my current system. Its minor but is causing phase coherence issues.

My system is centred around an Akai MPC Live 2 which is patched over analogue I/O (6x line level outputs TRS) to the  rear line inputs of the FF800. The MPC has been calibrated to match dBu levels with the FF800.

I recently purchased and installed a Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 analogue filter for external processing, the unit is patched from output 6 of the MPC, and then patched into input 10 of the front mic/line inputs. I needed extra input level from the MF-101 to match dBu between systems, hence the front mic/line inputs.

When I first tested the MF-101 incorporated with both the MPC & FF800 I instantly noticed an issue with phase coherence when all MPC outputs were summed and open, however the unit sounds fantastic when isolated. So I’ve created a latency test with both the MPC and a Pro Tools session. I’ve programmed and sequenced a click track to output simultaneously on both output 5 & 6, out 5 is MPC is direct output and out 6 passes through the MF-101 (hard patched). Sure enough the MF-101 has latency offset against the direct MPC output of 0.0227 milliseconds. Small but enough that it it's noticeable.

So I’m curious if this is typical due to signal passing through an analogue signal processor like the MF-101 (resistors, capacitors, transformers), or is the front mic/line inputs utilising a different AD/DA or processing path than the rear line inputs. I’m monitoring all system inputs via Totalmix and I don’t believe you can manually adjust latency offset per input. This won’t be an issue during mixdown in Pro Tools as I can manually adjust the offset track’s position, but since I’m monitoring the MPC composition stage via Totalmix I’m stuck with this phase coherence issue.

Any suggestions or advice? Would the rear line inputs resolve the latency issue or would it not make a difference?

Thanks for the read.

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-12-07 08:52:48)

  • waedi
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  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
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Re: Fireface 800 - Latency issue on one channel

iz_thewiz149 wrote:

Hi all,

I am currently dealing with small but noticeable latency on one source input in my current system. Its minor but is causing phase coherence issues.

My system is centred around an Akai MPC Live 2 which is patched over analogue I/O (6x line level outputs TRS) to the  rear line inputs of the FF800. The MPC has been calibrated to match dBu levels with the FF800.

I recently purchased and installed a Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 analogue filter for external processing, the unit is patched from output 6 of the MPC, and then patched into input 10 of the front mic/line inputs. I needed extra input level from the MF-101 to match dBu between systems, hence the front mic/line inputs.

When I first tested the MF-101 incorporated with both the MPC & FF800 I instantly noticed an issue with phase coherence when all MPC outputs were summed and open, however the unit sounds fantastic when isolated. So I’ve created a latency test with both the MPC and a Pro Tools session. I’ve programmed and sequenced a click track to output simultaneously on both output 5 & 6, out 5 is MPC is direct output and out 6 passes through the MF-101 (hard patched). Sure enough the MF-101 has latency offset against the direct MPC output of 0.0227 milliseconds. Small but enough that it it's noticeable.

So I’m curious if this is typical due to signal passing through an analogue signal processor like the MF-101 (resistors, capacitors, transformers), or is the front mic/line inputs utilising a different AD/DA or processing path than the rear line inputs. I’m monitoring all system inputs via Totalmix and I don’t believe you can manually adjust latency offset per input. This won’t be an issue during mixdown in Pro Tools as I can manually adjust the offset track’s position, but since I’m monitoring the MPC composition stage via Totalmix I’m stuck with this phase coherence issue.

Any suggestions or advice? Would the rear line inputs resolve the latency issue or would it not make a difference?

Why ask this when you just can plug in the cable and find out quickly whats going on !
And why open a new thread for the same ongoing discussion ?  https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 10#p228010
You may copy this post into the old thread and delete this thread.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2020-04-25
  • Posts: 8

Re: Fireface 800 - Latency issue on one channel

Hello again,

The issue was not resolved from the original post, and I was hoping to get input from the community via the FireWire & USB series sub.

4 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-12-08 05:50:36)

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,840

Re: Fireface 800 - Latency issue on one channel

Ah I see, the first thread was in the Totalmix forum, now it's in Firewire & USB

Is it possible, you may provide a screenshot from the wave forms of the recordings to see the gap, the latency ?
Did you measure the difference ?

You did ask about latency of the Moogfooger, because to your ears there seems to be phasing issue, right ?

This filter effect unit can have a sound like phaser, slightly, this is normal and some users say this metallic shimmer is pure analog enhancement of the sound, others may say its unwanted artefacts.

The latency by its design, all analog electric components, is neglibigle, in your case with different outputs from the MPC its more likely one of those outputs have different calculation behind wich cause a little latency.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue