• Registered: 2010-05-18
  • Posts: 8

Topic: New Fireface owner. Questions regarding samples and latency

Just bought a new Fireface 400 and have started to use it over this past weekend and just had a few questions.  The card was set by default to use 256 samples which gives me good latency however I'm just wondering what the advantage is to using fewer samples, say 64 samples, other than even lower latency.  What exactly are the benefits the lower you get with latency?  Does latency only affect the timing and delay of things and nothing more, like quality for example?  I notice the lower samples I set, the more taxing on the CPU so 256 seems to be about right and I can work comfortably here however the lower sample options just got me curious.  Thanks all!!

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
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  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,665

Re: New Fireface owner. Questions regarding samples and latency

Lower buffer sizes are helpful when monitoring through software (with effects) or using virtual instruments. There is no quality difference, other than when set too low for your system, you may start hearing clicks and pops.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

3 Reply by Randyman... (edited by Randyman... 2010-05-18 20:55:14)

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,191

Re: New Fireface owner. Questions regarding samples and latency

It's mainly about the realtime "feel" when tracking while monitoring through the DAW (either for a "Wet" mix or for things like realtime VSTi's, etc).  Some people can accomodate higher latencies w/o sacraficing feel, but others like it as close to realtime as possible.  I generally stay at 32 or 64 samples from start to finish since I monitor live drums through the DAW and also feed a PA System and monitors for band practice in realtime...

Some plug-ins also add some latency (anywhere from 1 sample to literally THOUSANDS of samples) - so if you have a Plug-in that adds 64 samples, it makes sense to use the lowest ASIO buffer possible to help negate the added plug-in delays.  The AD/DA conversion also adds some latency - so I generally like to run as low as possible.

Jeff beat me to it smile

cool

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  • Registered: 2010-05-18
  • Posts: 8

Re: New Fireface owner. Questions regarding samples and latency

Awesome thanks guys!