M-Audio Fast Track USB recording delay / out of synch

[tigerflystudio]

Hi, I have been trying to use the M-Audio fast track USB to record guitar on my PC. After downloading the latest drivers from M-Audio's website (for Vista 32 bit SP1) I tried doing a few recordings.

The problem: I am hearing the audio from the PC fine, and I am hearing my guitar perfectly fine and in synch. But when I listen back to the recoridng, it is out of time with the first track.

I wondered if it might be a latency issue? (Although I am hearing everything in synch whilst recording - it's only upon play-back that the newest 'take' seems to have recorded slightly too slowly (delayed).

I changed the latency sllider in the Fast-Track menu (which seems to be the only slider there is in that menu) from 256 to 128 and then re-recorded some guitar. I noted (after a rather long-winded test) that the first recording (256) was delayed by 53ms. The second recording (128) was 48ms delayed.

Any ideas on how to cure this? I'm new to PC recording and this is really doingy head in.

 

[Jim Lad]

I wondered if it might be a latency issue

Yes. That's what latency is.
If you are adding more tracks, simply mute that one while recording and the new track will line up with it.

Any ideas on how to cure this? I'm new to PC recording and this is really doingy head in.

Yes.
Upgrade.
If you move up to the Fast Track Pro or similar Audio interface then you will start using ASIO which is basically designed to reduce latency.
The Fast Track USB is entry level and doesn't support ASIO.

 

[tigerflystudio]

thanks again, Jim. Thing is, I need to hear the other tracks to play along to, but I guess if I'm just doing a few bare acoustic tracks that could work.

If the Fast Track USB has this kind of latency and it can't be gotten around, how do M-audio sell any?! Is there really no work-around? If not, it really is a totally useless unit for multi-track recording.

Looks like I might have to stick with the multi-trackers and trasfer the files to PC via USB (as I have been doing). It begs the question, is there any interface for the PC which provides true, 100%, zero latency?

 

[TeyshaBlue]

thanks again, Jim. Thing is, I need to hear the other tracks to play along to, but I guess if I'm just doing a few bare acoustic tracks that could work.

If the Fast Track USB has this kind of latency and it can't be gotten around, how do M-audio sell any?! Is there really no work-around? If not, it really is a totally useless unit for multi-track recording.

Looks like I might have to stick with the multi-trackers and trasfer the files to PC via USB (as I have been doing). It begs the question, is there any interface for the PC which provides true, 100%, zero latency?

I agree with Jim, it's undoubtably a latency issue. However, I would be extremely surprised if it were enough to be noticeable. Even with WDM drivers, a simple USB interface moving 1 or 2 tracks at a time should not introduce noticeable latency.
Keep adjusting the latency to the least possible and see if that helps.
I used a simple, 1st. generation Tascam US-122 for a couple of years...building projects of increasing complexity. I never, ever, had a latency issue that was noticeable.

I suspect that what ever software you are using to record with, that you have enabled the monitor/echo function on the playback track. This will add significantly to the latency. Deselect this on each track.
You have direct hardware monitoring on that interface...use it. It should solve your problem.

 

[Jim Lad]

If the Fast Track USB has this kind of latency and it can't be gotten around, how do M-audio sell any?!

You're the 3rd one in two days with the same model.
I bought one (against the shopkeeper's advice) simply to see if I could record on my PC.
I kept it for a month then passed it on.
It served its purpose.
What I did was
1) Record my foundation track. (Guitar & Vocals, one mic)
2) Record my guitar.
3) Mute the guitar during playback while recording the vocals.
4) Mute the foundation track and playback the other two. They should be in perfect sync.
5) Bought an M-Audio, Fast Track Pro and put the other interface back in the box.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

You're the 3rd one in two days with the same model.
I bought one (against the shopkeeper's advice) simply to see if I could record on my PC.
I kept it for a month then passed it on.
It served its purpose.
What I did was
1) Record my foundation track. (Guitar & Vocals, one mic)
2) Record my guitar.
3) Mute the guitar during playback while recording the vocals.
4) Mute the foundation track and playback the other two. They should be in perfect sync.
5) Bought an M-Audio, Fast Track Pro and put the other interface back in the box.

The latency is really that bad? Amazing they sell any of 'em!

 

[davey7865]

The latency is bad. Even a two track recording is hideous without readjustment. I've sometimes used 10 simultaneous tracks, and each track seems equally lagged. I visually re-align it, which uh, doesn't always work. I tried doing a lag test to set the adjustment settings like Audacity told me to, but for some reason my shit stopped working after I tried. I had a cable on the fritz and thought it was that. Now it's all working again. I don't know. I like his 5 step approach much more than the way I've been doing it. It's been hell and I can't wait to move on.

 

[8track]

I bought one of these this week. It works with my dynamic mic. Latency doesn't seem to be an issue if you use the 'Direct Monitor' option on the front panel and plug your cans in there. I have left it on its default settings.

I'm using Ableton Live and an old Acer i5 with 8G RAM. Hope this helps.