Delay when recording on PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Crysiq
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Crysiq

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I am currently connecting an SM57 to my computer without a preamp but i am about to buy a Xenyx502. I have extreme delay when i try to sing and record using Mixcraft 5 or Audacity. Will a preamp fix this? I also tried installing the ASIO driver and it did not work and also lowered buffers and all that but it just reduced sound quality.
 
Adjusting buffer size should have no effect on quality. It should have an effect on latency though.

low buffer size = low latency but high potential for over working the pc and audio dropouts.
high buffer = high latency but high potential for smooth playback.

If your mic is plugged into the built in sound card, that's gona be the reason for your high latency.
Built in sound cards aren't really designed for this kind of audio use.

If you run the xenyx into the built in sound card, you will get the same latency.

A usb or firewire mixer/interface is much more likely to solve your problem as it will have drivers that are designed for low latency use.
 
thanks man that was the answer i was looking for. so would this be a good solution?:

Amazon.com: Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp: Musical Instruments

if not then do you have a suggestion for a budget USB preamp?
Steenamaroo said:
Adjusting buffer size should have no effect on quality. It should have an effect on latency though.

low buffer size = low latency but high potential for over working the pc and audio dropouts.
high buffer = high latency but high potential for smooth playback.

If your mic is plugged into the built in sound card, that's gona be the reason for your high latency.
Built in sound cards aren't really designed for this kind of audio use.

If you run the xenyx into the built in sound card, you will get the same latency.

A usb or firewire mixer/interface is much more likely to solve your problem as it will have drivers that are designed for low latency use.
Click to expand...
 
I don't have personal experience with that, but i'd say it's probably not the answer.

It's an input only interface, so your built in sound card still has to handle the output.
I'm pretty sure that'll mean latency.

The best bet would be a small usb I/O interface, like a tascam/edirol/maudio or something like that.

You plug your mics, speakers and headphones into it, so your built in sound card is completely out of the loop.
 
What you want is an interface that has hardware monitoring. That shortens the round trip between the mic and your headphones to just the interface rather than going into the computer, the software, the hard drive and finally back out to your headphones.

The Icicle doesn't even qualify as an interface because it doesn't have the output and input integrated into one piece of hardware. You would have the exact same problem you have now.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
What you want is an interface that has hardware monitoring.
Click to expand...

Hadn't thought of that. BSguy is right!

Just remember, that means you wont hear your eqs or reverbs when you're recording.

Some people rely on that. You may not.
 
These are both on the right lines, but i can't really offer an opinion as i've never used them.

Start googlin pal :)
 
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