how to avoid latency: using an analog mixer?

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tojo

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I'm trying to think of ways I can avoid latency before I decide to spend money on a macbook for recording. I've done lots of recording before, but now that I think of it I can't really remember what I've done about latency. I've noticed that in software programs (gareband, cubase, live etc) when you turn on the monitor option you will hear a latency in the sound. Of course many know this, as well as being able to lower the latency by changing the buffer size on your computer (using something like ASIO4ALL). I think that what I have done is run a behringer analog mixer into my line in on a computer, and then it just comes out the headphones and there is no delay... because it's just line in and right out the headphones. I can't really remember though (i know thats dumb) but, I'm trying to think of a routing option for recording tracks for a song using my analog mixer to monitor, I suppose you would say. I'm having trouble thinking up the routing option though...

If I send the tracks that I have recorded to the mixer I can hear them, while recording a track at the same time. So example. I have guitar recorded on my program (i.e. garageband/logic whatever) and I send it to input 2 on my mixer from the computer headphone out. Then I have my nice condenser on channel one recording my vocals. So I should be able to hear it with no latency...right? But then the problem is mixer has to go back into the computer in the line in port... and therefore the guitar will get re-recorded onto the vocal track. There must be some button I can work with on my mixer so that like the guitar channel (#2) is routed to a bus or something (so I can still hear it) but so it doesn't go out the main outs. I don't have a great knowledge of my mixer... but should this provide someone the ability to monitor without latency? I guess you would consider it monitoring the signal dry, because you can't hear the efx that you might apply in the program (which I probably wouldn't anyways)

I'm just thinking I should get a firebox and use the software mixer to get zero latency and record that. I also heard that you can get pretty low latency with the firebox (like 4-6 ms?). Anyways, sorry about the huge post, and if it seems really trivial, as the answer may be extremely obvious... I just haven't picked up on it yet.

Thanks for reading.
 
Most interfaces have zero latency monitoring. Get something with ASIO and you should be pretty well set. I have never had problems with my firewire interface and latency.
 
but i don't know if i want to spend money on something like that quite yet. first I'm getting the computer, then probably better microphones... so it might be a while yet.
 
the best computer in the world will still suck without a good soundcard.

In contrast, an old p4 with a good soundcard will record at very low latencies just fine
 
thanks, but i'm looking for help on how to route with a mixer properly to avoid dealing with any latency at all.
 
I use a Peavey PV6 mixer to record into my laptop; here's how I rig it:
1) Laptop's line out to mixer's tape in
2) Mixer's tape out to Laptop's line in
3) I select "tape to headphones/ctrl room" on my mixer

I monitor using the PV6 and I've gotten great results...no latency!

Hope this helps.
 
oh! I think that will work just fine. I'm not a big fan of using rca cables... i think its unbalanced and i don't know if thats a great thing... can you control the levels using the control room out?

also what is a control room supposed to be? isn't it like the place where the person recording controls who they are recording
 
Nope, you can't control your levels using the control room, but you can using your master level faders.

I really don't know if they are unbalanced, but they have worked great for me.

In my mixer board, the control room outs are used to connect an amplifier and monitors. I just select "tape to headphones/ctrl room" so that the signal that comes into the mixer go just to my headphones and not into the actual mix. There's another switch that routes the tape to the mixer "tape to mix".

Here's a pic of the board I use.

Cheers!
 

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alright this is great...

so: tape to mix adds an extra channel to your mix? and also is there any ways you can make any channel go just to headphones... because i was thinking to record drums in my band for a quick demo, here's why.

-my drummer takes cues from the guitarist and being able to hear it just helps...
-headphones go out to drummer and guitarist.
-guitar track goes to headphones but not to the mix...
-drums go to the mix.

i guess i could use the tape to cntrl/ph room, which is what you told me before...

I'm not great at coming up with the connections and routing and such.

by the way, why are your 3 and 4th inputs labeled 3/4 and 5/6... are they stereo tracks?
 
I'm sorry mate, I have to be honest here, I've never done that, and don't have the slightest clue as to how to achieve it.

I record by myself, so what I do is I record a rough guitar track and vocal track, playing along a metronome; then I record drums following the rough tracks; and then retrack guitars and everything else.

Can somebody please enlighten us how can we do it?

Yup 3/4 & 5/6 are stereo channels.

Cheers!
 
oh sorry, i didn't notice the two trs inputs on your mixer... i just thought there were 4 gain knobs...

anyways, it sounds like the way you do your tracking is pretty efficient, considering you do it yourself (do you play drums?)

also, when you record drums... do you record to the rough guitar tracks that have been layed down? Or do you just use the guitar parts to write a drum part and then just record it without hearing any guitar part..

I would think that it would be best to record drums to just a metronome...
but, whatever works!
 
Yup, I'm a drummer:D

I record to the rough guitar. I have also recorded just to a metronome before though, but I have to know the song very well for doing that;).
 
oh awesome, multi-talented. what kind of music do you write? I'm also just wondering, what software do you use?
 
Thanks mate:)

Multitalented....I wish LOL

To track I use:
1) Tascam 2488 tracking drums
2) Laptop + PV6 tracking guitars, bass and vocals

To edit and mix:
Cool Edit Pro 2.0 and Adobe Audition 2.0

Cheers!
 
neat-o. by the way, just to clarify... tracking is the process of actually recording your tracks?
 
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