Problems with ''keys to computer'' delay

[godsmcktma2]

I searched all around, but I couldn't find anything to anwer my question:

I think this is in the right forum so ill ask here...

How do you deal with the delay of when you hit a key on a MIDI keyboard untill it sounds in the computer...

For example, I have Native Instruments FM7 on my computer connected via MIDI to my keyboard, and when I hit any note, it sounds like 2 seconds later in the computer.

How do I fix this?

Thanks,
Doug

[Deceit]

It's actually called latency. Your pc sound card has a high latency, which means the audio cpu is too slow to process input midi signals and convert them to the audio samples triggered FM7. The ONLY way to resolve this issue is buying a new PROFESSIONAL audio card, I'd go for Audiophile USB (or anyone other) by M-Audio, the best buy computer music company. If you have money to spend, then MOTU (Mark of the unicorn) is THE answer, but if you do home recording like me, just go for the model I told you. I paid less than 200 euro for it and have always been pleased with an impressive quality in ANY application.
The cheap way is using Sonar by Cakewalk, most of them have a different processing system which allows lower latencies, which I have experienced in the past hardly go under 50ms, which is still way too high. You'll need 5ms to play almost anything-and yet not everything-you want.
Computer music still has a lot of things to be improved, IMHO. That's why I prefer buying used old gear at the moment, than buying a brand new laptop and doing everything on it. Hardware at the moment is still way safer and stable, and for live performers (no sound engineering (except for Dave :D)) like most of we are that's a basic requirement.
My two cents (wow, sounds so cool :D),
Deceit.

[Quili]

Yep, probably the result of a soundcard that can´t keep up. However, if you do have installed a more powerful soundcard there should be a control panel for it where you can choose you´re latency settings. If you have plenty of rom and a quick processor you can get the settings real low. Especially if you don´t use too many softsynths at once. I usually have my soundcard set for 64 samples latency which is around 1.5 ms at 44.1 kHz. If I use more than 8 VSTi´s at the same time things get real heavy for the soundcard...

[ktriton]

You might already have a decent soundcard and for some reason the latency wasn't setup correctly. Try going to your program's properties and putting the latency lower.

[Deceit]

If he had one, he was supposed to tell us...I guess he doesn't. And 2 seconds later is a latency way too high even for a cheap professional audio card that supports ASIO drivers.
Deceit.

[godsmcktma2]

Thanks so far..

My sound card is a Creative Sound Blaster PCI, and it is very good with almost no latency if i was playing general midi on a midi recording program, but with a softsythn it is just too late.

Does that help some?

[Fossil Records]

Creative's cards are ASIO-intolerant and tend to have problems with plugins unless it's a basic DXI. Even with the simple DXI plugin I use for synth I get a few second delay between hitting the key and hearing the output.

The Solution? Convert the synth tone you're using into a SoundFont (the only reason to stick with a Creative card) and then you get instantaneous reproduction of the tone. I did this with the Monster Lead tone that I concocted (with much help from my friends here and at ARS' forum).

And don't think I'm bashing Creative - I've used them exclusively since I first started computer recording (95?). You just have to work around their limitations. Oh, and my Audigy doesn't have any problems with DXI and digital audio - just DXI and MIDI. Go figure... :)

[lighthouse]

Well n Audigy2 zs and it comes with Asio 2.0 drivers.....it has been working perfect with the Ni B4 and the Trianlge and even the Moog modular.....you can adjust the Asio latency to the minimum (i just lower it to 7).....and get very acurate results....
My experience anyway


Juan Pablo

[FunkyDigits]

Some guy had the same problem on the DT boards a while back. There were some special sound drivers that completely fixed the problem for him. I haven't tried them myself, as I don't play with soft synths as much as I prolly should, but it's worth a shot, eh? Here:

http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/

PS: The drivers are for Live and Audigy cards, so I'm not sure how many other creative cards they'll comply with.

[Fossil Records]

Yeah, I think they're called kx drivers. I could never get them to work. But I wasn't having any problems that I couldn't work around so it wasn't critical.

Oh, and yes, the Audigy2 uses ASIO... but before that you'd be hard pressed to get drivers to work with your Creative cards.