Topic: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Im an avid RME fanboy. I simply cannot hide it. I've been on the RME train for over a decade.

It occurred to me that Ive been spending alot of my time phase aligning hardware inserts when I honestly did not have to.

RME's Delay reporting mechanism doesn't work. It never has. in hardware Loopbacks don't really help in all situations and I honestly needed a permanent solution.   

The problem was in complex routing, I like to sprinkle hardware inserts between plugins, between other hardware inserts etc... Thing is, as far as I knew adding too many hardware inserts and plugins in a complex way would bring about delays and strange phasing issues.. Well, kiss those days good bye, I have a solution

This applies to Reaper, if your in another DAW, sorry I'm clueless.

So here's how its done,
The first thing we have to do is open reapers preferences (Options/Preferences)
Now find "recording" from the list on the left hand side (audio/recording)

Here is where we do something completely unintuitive, yet necessary for RME devices; UNCHECK USE DRIVER REPORTED LATENCY... set all of your manual offsets to 0.

Now, still inside of preferences on the list on the left find Track/Send Defaults (under project)

You will see a "record config" option. click on the chosen input and check "Preserve PDC delays monitoring in recorded items"

Apply and click OK

Select the track you wish to play around with and create an empty track underneath. Route your signal to that track

Now.. all you have to do is use the reainsert plugin on the empty track, bypass the hardware (physically in real life) and ping it once. Right click the record button (the red circle on the side of the track) and select  "Record: Output / Latency Compensated"

Arm the track, press record and boom, No latency, regardless how many instances of hardware or software inserts you have. Reaper takes care of the Latency, you can rest easy knowing your material will be perfectly in phase.

Thats it, open as many hardware or software inserts as youd like, stack em as high as you want.. reaper will automatically compensate any and all delays. 

This method works so well, you can NULL the original signal, all without entering a manual offset, independent of how many hardware and software inserts you have stacked on the track.

Once you've set it up once, it keeps working forever.
RME's latency reporting is either non existent or broken, idk. I was working through it for a long time, but I decided enough was enough. Spend some time trying everything I could think of until I did this..

Now i can mix and match hardware and software and not worry at all about latency. Its perfect!

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

great and intersting topic

Ableton users???

3 (edited by sprychasm 2021-09-19 09:29:46)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

I also use Reaper and also use the same method for processing with hardware in sessions, though you may not have to change the latency compensation in the Reaper preferences menu. Instead, when sending the original track (with ReaInsert instance, here also pinged for added analog i/o latency compensation) into the recording armed track (the hardware print), I set the track record-input drop down menu to the normal "record output (stereo)" selection without adding adjustment for latency.

I don't think the RME unit is wrong at adjusting, but rather that the RME interface is calculating its own latency offset according to sample rate, buffer size, and other stuff, whereas simultaneously Reaper and the CPU also have the buffering and adjustment for all the PDC that stacks up when processing each software plugin. Things like changing the frequency rate or block size when hardware inserts in a session were already accurately latency compensated for both RME and Reaper will then dramatically lose functional accuracy of their latency adjustment.

Regardless, nice work figuring out a fix. I'll try your approach as soon as I have my audio desk set up again after I move!

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Hi! For me, using Ping detect for Additional Delay Compensation in ReaInsert works properly, achieving total nullification in phase cancel testing while maintaining synchronisity inside REAPER (for any sidechain nodes etc). Pinging the latency with ReaInsert from analog output to analog input via hardware loopback gives exactly the same number as the driver reported latency. At least with UFX+ and UCX, although there could be some difference when using separate AD/DA converters; to my understanding the driver reports entire roundtrip latency including the internal converters.

This is true also for chaining multiple hardware inserts. But instead of stacking individual ReaInsert plugins in REAPER, I build the hardware effect chain in TotalMix as far as possible, and then use the chain start and end I/O points in a single instance of ReaInsert, and again latency pinging achieves total null in phase cancel test, and software monitoring latency remains as low as possible.

I don't think it's possible to work around the additional latency introduced when stacking multiple ReaInserts in one signal chain as long as the audio itself passes through REAPER and then back to hardware without breaking phase sync between tracks? To my understanding, this is true for all DAWs; passing audio from DAW to external hardware and back inheritly introduces system latency on each pass. Also, REAPER (or any other DAW) has no way of 'knowing' the additional latency introduced from additional routings done in TotalMix and/or external hardware. Except via pinging the latency, of course, and this seems to work properly.

The problem I've encountered with ReaInsert is while 'rendering' individual tracks with ReaInsert hardware inserts. In REAPER I also do this by setting the track recording source as track output (normal mode, not latency compensated), then record the track onto 'itself' as a new take, and after that just bypass the FX chain. Although the latency is compensated while listening/monitoring after restarting the playback, sometimes the recorded track output doesn't get placed correctly resulting in phase/time offset between the original source and recorded output.

But this might also be buggy behavior with ReaInsert. For example, the FX chain latency based on driver reported latency could be 201 samples, and ReaInsert Ping detected additional latency is 9 samples. For some reason, REAPER might compensate the recording with 201 sample offset, instead of the correct value of 210 samples. This can be seen in the track FX chain total reported latency in REAPER, which might show the driver reported latency (or previous manual adjustment) for ReaInsert(s), and not take the current Additional Delay Compensation of ReaInsert(s) into account even after restarting playback, as suggested in ReaInsert UI.

This can be 'fixed' quite easily. After setting up all the routings, ReaInserts and pinging the latencies, simply disabling (bypassing) the entire FX chain in REAPER, and then re-enabling it makes REAPER now show the correct Plugin Delay Compensation values in the FX chain, and now also recording track output gets compensated correctly.

Note, when doing render/freeze/bounce-in-place/commit with hardware inserts in REAPER by recording track output, choosing the latency compensated output recording will compensate the recording into a position after monitoring latency. Which naturally introduces 'latency' in form of positioning offset in the source item. Choosing the non-compensated output recording will maintain the original source position.

In my case, default/stock settings in REAPER seem to work correctly, without any need for manually adjustments. Only the ReaInsert plugin itself needs 'manual' attention, requiring to be pinged and finally 'restarting' the FX chain after routings/changes are done, just to be sure.

5 (edited by Skoo 2021-09-24 18:21:21)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Reaper buffers internally. If you follow the steps i layed out here you will be able to stack your plugins/hardware inserts to your hearts content.

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

en5ca wrote:

Only the ReaInsert plugin itself needs 'manual' attention, requiring to be pinged and finally 'restarting' the FX chain after routings/changes are done, just to be sure.

THIS! This is it! This is the bug!

After bypass and  re-enabling the FX, this is what gets rid of phasing when adjusting dry/wet knob on the Reainsert. I have multiple fx and reainserts stacked on the channel. This appears to keep it working correctly.

Thank you guys!

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Almost what i was looking for - not using the anoying reainsert at all.

my hardwareeffects, just route it all via totalmix, do a so-called live mix and record it back to a track (stereo) to reaper.

im still struckling to find out how to record the mixdown to 1 track (stereo) back to reaper all live

I use free mode, i hate submix mode :-)

I have raydat installed, and a ´802

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

YES! it works! dont know how i managed it :-) i quickly saved the workspace

i will look more into the routing

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

No. It's not works in my case. FF800 192K 2048 buffer.
I manually measure and change interface latency 4424 smpls.
Reainsert still not sync right.
I send my DAW tracks to FF hw outs connected to analog console.
I route my kick drum to console L-R bus (mixbus) and 1-2 group.
This console 1-2 group outputs connected to FF inputs 3-4.
I ''catch" them on separate Reaper track (tittle HW Side Chain)
I want my "Analog Kick" signal to duck DAW BASS track (via RMSC plugin)
So i send my HW Side Chain track to DAW BASS track (channels 3-4 in Reaper) to RMSC can see final kick waveform and make correct changes to bass track audio signal before it goes to analog channel of console.
I get no right timing on this returned from console kick signal.
Reainsert and simple track input workflow. I try all, "preserve PDC...", manual offsets, record output with compensation.
Nothing written here helps to solve this.

I see now only one way - print soloed "analog kick" signal to separate Reaper "ghost kick" track. Mute master send. And send same 3+4 to DAW BASS track to make my ringmod sidechaining.
But i work 192K 64bit audio.
I need to store this 650 mb kick print file.
This is the problem because i have around 2000 projects to work with.
I need to store everything + make backups.
Used drive space for these prints will be insane. So i try to avoid this with this "online workflow" with no prints, but Reaper is bugging out.

If anybody have a solution for my situation - i would be glad to hear it. Thank you.

10 (edited by waedi 2023-12-10 02:58:09)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Never heard of this complicated loopback over console for a sidechain compressor.
This is done all in the plugin and in Reaper.
The compressor plugin has a sidechain connection where you select the kick track for being the sidechain signal.
The compressor itself is on the Bass track.
This video explains how to : https://youtu.be/8Tt5yWOxB2E?si=G_MjtOuZM9wqegRm
No need to re-record anything

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

11 (edited by MFS90 2023-12-10 03:26:41)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

You just don't read with attention, or don't understand why regular DAW sidechain is not the way to do it right.
Main audio signals changes happens on analog console channel strip, plus bus and mixbus, and ADC clipping.
Kick is changed drastically.
That's why i need all this crazy ass routing, partner.
I need final kick waveform send ducking signal to bass, not DAW kick.
Ringmod sidechain is very detailed. It's not simple volume drops.

https://i.ibb.co/nBsPdLP/image.png

Plus side chaining with compressor it's a bad way. Compressor can't make inaudible ducking without pumping.
I hate EDM style pumping. My genre is not the place to use it.
Learn how ring modulation sidechain works. It's perfect.
If it be possible to do it in analog with no plugins, i would not appear hear.

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

The problem is the timing of the returning signal, you said.
One piece in the chain is inducing too much latency.
the ADC clipping is suspect..
if you bypass it for a test ?

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

waedi wrote:

The problem is the timing of the returning signal, you said.
One piece in the chain is inducing too much latency.
the ADC clipping is suspect..
if you bypass it for a test ?

ADC is analog to digital converter clipping. Clipping Fireface physical input.

Completely no PDC in the session. RMSC zero latency. no FX on tracks, no monitoring FX.
I even try to offline RMSC plugin (same as delete it from the DAW).
I'm still have misssyncronization with Reainsert or with regular Analog Input approach.
Turning off antisipative FX procession dosen't help too.

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Sometimes Latency correction features inside DAW making things worse.
If you have something like that ON in Reaper, try OfF

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Bro, i'm advanced. I even try to manually disable PDC in plugins
Here
https://i.ibb.co/rfYxr9W/image.png
Anywhere.
All what can affect PDC or any latency i already toggle.
In the HW chain is no digital outboard devices (they can and will add some latency).

I doubt that my FF800 works wrong. It's always on the Reaper side.
Gypsy DAW because all of this little secret bugs that will never be fixed.
Justin bans be on reaper forums 5 or six times.
Devil always hides in details.

Reainsert is strongly recommended to avoid from now on.
Even simple loopback dosen't sync. And i don't understand why delay between two my signals
dosen't change even when i set a time nudge delay plugin on one of this tracks.

I try to sync with simple kick drum in another session.
And watch on Psyscope how they align.
Ignore gain difference on the screen below

https://i.ibb.co/4WK9hjf/image.png

Red is DAW kick, Green is analog return kick. No any PDC, no nothing in the session.

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Ouch ! Thats not latency its a coffee pause !
I avoid ReaInsert since the first time.
The direct access from each track to every interface audio channel is for me more convenient.
The Totalmix Loopback gets the same delay ?
If so then only the DAW is the guilty.

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Total Mix loopback
https://i.ibb.co/whc5BCT/image.png

I don't understand why polarity is flipped?

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Another bug !
Justin starts eating his socks

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Nah. It's maybe because of cables or console (it's unbalanced early 90s Tascam board)

I connect FF800 out 1 to in 8 with just one physical cable, and seems that polarity flip is not audiointerface or Reaper thing.

But even now with this simple one cable routing i have huge gap
https://i.ibb.co/mG2x2wz/image.png

20 (edited by MFS90 2023-12-10 05:52:07)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

Seems like Reaper track with enabled Record Arm always late in time
https://i.ibb.co/sWdrLry/image.png

Red is from track with Record Arm (cable real loopback)
Both Green are DAW tracks sends.

Nothing here helps neither
I toggle these all
https://i.ibb.co/g46yfsT/image.png

21 (edited by waedi 2023-12-10 07:29:59)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

I did a test in Reaper

Play a stereo track with kick-drum
Routing over Totalmix Loopback back into Reaper
Record stereo track with that kick-drum
zero latency !

I did Solo the play track, no plugins and the master-bus plugin block is off.

The upper stereo-wave is Play
the lower stereo-wave is Record

It is latest Reaper on Mac M1 Sonoma
Reaper in factory state, no preference settings changed, only selected RME Digiface audio device.

https://i.ibb.co/7zqsf1G/Bildschirmfoto-2023-12-10-um-07-02-59.png

Here the same with zoom in :

https://i.ibb.co/rw0GX8m/Bildschirmfoto-2023-12-10-um-07-02-36.png


Did you try with a new empty project ?
Only 2 tracks, 1 play, 1 record

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

I have same no problem when i record after i set manual 4424 smpls latency in Reaper Recording preferences.
I have issues with "online" workflow. Live (non-recorded signals) are late.
Yes, i try different projects, different sample rates, etc.

23 (edited by waedi 2023-12-10 22:28:06)

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

The timing problem is made by this huge 4424 samples buffer on the input channels, do you agree ?
When sample rate is 192 kHz, the delay is 23ms !

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

Re: Latency Free Hardware Inserts in Reaper

I try to set zero in Recording prefs.
I try all buffer sizes and sample rates.