How to run Live MIDI w/laptop & cakewalk

[first cause]

I am a fairly experienced cakewalk user and I have been trying to setup my laptop to run MIDI for live shows. I have all the configurations setup right, but I'm getting too much latency. Probably about a one second delay from MIDI note-on message to sound generated. I was wondering if my laptop is not good enough, or what I can do to make it work?

I have a Compaq Presario 500MHz w/64MB RAM. I have Cakewalk Pro Suite installed. The playback of the audio is fine, but all MIDI sounds are delayed. I know I need a new laptop anyway, this one doesn't even have a line-in.

What kind of laptop setup would you suggest for running live MIDI through a serial port interface? What features should I look for in a laptop to run Pro Suite? I am anxious to learn all that you can teach. Thank you.

Kevin
First Cause

[kennedy connor]

In the 80's I used to take cakewalk 3.1 to gigs on my "laptop 286" and never experienced any latency of midi functions....I don't know what your problem is but midi shouldn't be it....1st rule of computer purchasing....get the biggest fastest sexiest one you can! I run a 750/256 and still have latency (approx. 1 sec.) with softsynths but never with hardware keys.

[Rish]

I have used Cakewalk for many years, in addition to other programs that do the same. I work for a computer company and have supported these for sometime. In 90% of cases where there has been a latency problems I have found it to be the incorrect drivers (older drivers) having been loaded for newer sound cards, or Midi devices.

For example: I have a SC88Pro (Roland Sound Canvas) that needs serial drivers. The older serial drivers for Windows 9x actually work on Windows NT... strange but true, and I've proved it... after looking at another chaps machine, I have managed to recreate the problem again but only managed to do it the once again afterwards...so if you have Midi latency problems check your drivers first.

Audio, this is another of those 1st to check things. usually all you need to do is ensure you have a 5400 rpm hard drive minimum, loads for memory and then last of all that DMA is selected, you may also want to reduce your foreground applications and video rate to 256 colour as this has an effect as well. I use Windows NT so that I can setup different hardware profiles for my machine. That way if I was going to just use the Word processor package I would start-up the machine in a different profile...

I believe there are problems with USB multiport MIDI Controllers, once again most of the problems associated are driver issues and speed compatibility problems. I have not got one of these so I can't be sure what the problem is, but those that do have one seem to say that they can be a bit funny especially if you are using a lot for Sysx messages...don't quote me but try be sure you have the right and most up to date drivers...if nothing else...

I also have the same running off a laptop...
Good Luck
Rish