• Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 25

Topic: UCX suitability for live shows

Hi there,

I'm on the verge of buying UCX which I plan to use primarily for live show performances and recording.

My question is about suitability of this interface for performing live with super low latencies.

Here is my most typical scenario:

I have about 6 tracks that will be played from computer through UCX, I will be playing acoustic guitar which will be processed within my DAW (Samplitude/Reaper) with zero latency plugins, my singer would be also processed with other zero latency plugins ( EQ, compressor, delay, reverb) + another three vocalists, piano and bass.
How realistic is it to use only UCX and DAW (Samplitude or Reaper) as a processing recording medium for live shows?

As I mentioned all processing will be done inside DAW not UCX.

Thanks very much


AES MAN

  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: UCX suitability for live shows

Should work....I imagine a reasonably fast laptop will help matters if running the UCX at a low buffer...

I do a similar thing for my solo project using Ableton and the UCX.  Two things that are not especially live worthy on the UCX are the external power supply and the midi breakout cable ( for space saving reasons) which has been discussed elsewhere.

Despite this I recommend the UCX as I think it is the best soundcard out there for realtime DAW fx processing and I'm very happy with it indeed.  Totalmix is also really good for basic live fx processing.

  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 25

Re: UCX suitability for live shows

Thanks volcanoexile!

Do you use complex processing chains? Also, is it possible that Ableton Live is more suitable for low buffer settings then other DAWS?

  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: UCX suitability for live shows

I wouldn't know whether Ableton is better than other applications but it is designed to be used in live situations and I know people that use it professionally including myself.  I don't have any experience of Samplitude or Reaper so can't compare but it works pretty well for me.  You can also automate/trigger fx changes in Ableton which is handy but that may also be possible in other programs.  I had a little check on my setup and was able to use a buffer size of 25 with my UCX and the laptop below:

Processor  2.8 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory  8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

This resulted in 3.15ms of latency using reverb and delay live on my vocal (inaudible) but I imagine the more you stack up in terms of instruments and channels and fx the more it will come under pressure.  You probably don't need the latency to be as low as 3ms for reverbs and delays anyway.