Latency issues... Help? PC/Tascam US-1800

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NavyWulf

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Hi there!

I am a newbie here and somewhat to recording (as many seem to be) so bear with me...

A week or so ago I bought a Tascam US-1800 interface to record my drums. I got my drivers installed, mics plugged in, and the computer/DAW software recognized the device and specific lines with little to no difficulty. The problems started directly after that. Right away I was hearing these "pops" and "crackles" at pretty consistent intervals when listening to what was being fed back through to the computer (this would happen even without the mics plugged in as well). When I would actually attempt to record anything or even talk into a mic, the pops and crackles would get louder and many more of them, but no actual noise that could be considered notes or music would come through.

After doing some research, I found this seems to be an issue of latency. I read forums and manuals of similar issues in which people recommended more RAM, AISO4ALL (Don't know how to use/utilize it), and getting rid of background programs running. I was prepared to buy a 750 GB 7200 rpm hard drive when mine wouldn't suffice for 8+ simultaneously recording tracks, but I wasn't even able to record one track of more than pops and crackles. :confused::confused:

PC specs:

Dell Studio 1535 (4-5 years old)
223 GB hard drive (half used) 5400 rpm
Core 2 Duo processor
3 GB RAM
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Any insight or ideas anyone can give me would be VERY appreciated! :thumbs up:
 
I also just got a US-1800. I typically use mac but I have used it with my pc just to hook up monitors. I just poke around in audio settings till it works. Maybe unplug the interface. Tried to find a solution and got the blue screen of death. Restarted and now It works again! I am using windows 7 64 bit and pretty much getting the same popping issue. I would be interested to seeing others solutions.
 
There are lots of US 1800 users around these parts so you'll likely get a more specific answer soon. However, some general guidelines (some of which may repeat things you've heard already.

First off, the overheads on a computer for RECORDING are actually pretty small so you shouldn't be having so many problems.

Some things to do:

Yes, shut down everything else running in background on your computer, paying special attention to Wifi and any anti virus software you have. Shut it right down, don't just pause it.

Optimise your computer for audio with the tips on a site like Optimising your PC for Audio on Windows Vista | Focusrite

Forget things like ASIO4ALL. Tascam have specific ASIO drivers. Download the latest of these and use it.

You don't mention what DAW you're using but, between the Tascam and the DAW, there are bound to be controls for the record buffer size. Make this nice and big.

If you're hearing clicks etc. in your monitoring, this implies you're monitoring via the computer. Note that the Tascam has a control to mix monitoring between off computer and direct from your mics. Turn OFF any feature in your DAW that sends what you're recording back to the 1800--set the monitoring so only pre recorded tracks are being fed to the monitor and the new stuff is direct monitored.

If you do have pre-recorded tracks, turn off any real time effects that may be set. Turn off any amp simulators etc.

Quite seriously, 8 tracks should be a dawdle for your system--sorting it out should be something simple.
 
Thank you for your reply!

As far as DAW, I'm trying to use Mixcraft 6, but I have cubase LE 5 as well. If I can get either of them to really work, I'll use it. I had fiddled with the latency settings on both (making them as big as I could) and it didn't seem to help at all, but I'm new to both DAW's, so perhaps I'm just doing it wrong.

I see what you are saying about the monitoring going through the computer... I had thought when I read through the manual that you were supposed to be able to have the computer play back in real time the mix that you have going into the PC, and that's essentially what I was attempting to do (I could very well be wrong about this) but I can live without it.

When I had the interface set up as the main audio output through start-up, the windows sounds were severely crackled and the pop/ticking was still present. That may not mean anything more, I'm not sure.

It is relieving to hear SOMEONE say that my PC specs should be fine! Mostly people point to lots of RAM, huge rpm's, exc. for the recording process to go smoothly.
 
Instead, have the computer play back ONLY tracks that are already recorded, not the new stuff you're recording. I don't use Mixcraft or Cubase so can't be much help there--but the front panel of your US1800 has a knob that allows you to control the mix between playback from the computer and the live mics you're recording. Be sure to turn OFF any feed back of what you're recording live.

It worries me that you're getting pops and crackles when recording but this could be that your latency/buffer is set too low. If you use the direct monitoring then latency can be set as high as you need and not cause you any problems (unless you're trying to use live effects or amp simulators...but that's a different kettle of fish).

In any case, trying to monitor via a round trip through the computer will always be a problem. It always results in a messy compromise between low latency (as needed to keep your drums in time) and high latency (as needed to prevent clicks and pops). Direct monitoring is always better.
 
Who said your PC specs were fine? Oh lordy lordy....lol

Hey man, I have to put myself down for the evening, but you should be able to get good quality, tolerant latency, and no dropouts/glitches from your setup. As long as you set it up to do so.

I have had a few years with your interface (US 1641/1800, though the only time I played with Mixcraft, was while looking at it, and wondering why anyone would use the program. Cubase is a much more capable DAW. Reaper, is also a favorite among the 'home slice' members here. Again, much more involved than MIxCrapt.. < My personal opinion. I am just another guy with an opinion. Whatever works for you, is what is best (for you).

Welcome to the forum NayWu! Sorry, I just gotta go now.
 
That makes plenty of sense, when the nob is away from the computer setting, I can monitor that way without popping, but it is on the quiet side.

I'll play with it some more tomorrow and see if I can get better results the way you suggested. I also will install the drivers on newer computer to see if it happens to be my PC that is part of the problem then go from there.
 
Haha... I know they are far from great and like many people, I'm on a tight budget so if they will do the job, I'm happy.

As far as DAW, I'll use whatever I can get to work first! ;) Then someday I may get a bit more picky.

Thanks for the welcome!
 
Well, I downloaded the drivers and a trial DAW software on 3 other computers and the interface works on all 3 without any problems or hassle, just not mine. So my computer is screwed somehow and will just use one of the other computers. Thank you for the suggestions, bobbsy!:thumbs up:
 
NavyWulf said:
Well, I downloaded the drivers and a trial DAW software on 3 other computers and the interface works on all 3 without any problems or hassle, just not mine. So my computer is screwed somehow and will just use one of the other computers. Thank you for the suggestions, bobbsy!:thumbs up:
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure that your computer is screwed man. Have you taken steps to optimize it, for recording? You can just Google, to find that info. I have saved direct links for W7, but I cringe every time I see the word Vista. Have two laptops with Vista at home, that just have a bad smell. lol.

Run DPC Latency check, setup your performance stuff for recording, and came back with results. :)
 
I didn't read all the replies, so your problem may have been solved. Looking at your computer specs, you should start to think about getting a new computer. Something quad core, min of 8GB ram, and two hard drives, 1 for apps and 1 for project files.

To you're immediate problem....try different USB ports, they're not all the same. Also adjust your latency settings. Turn off any programs you're not using, disable your anti virus while tracking. Reverb plug ins sap CPU power big time, I'd only use verb on a drum bus, not each track.

I don't believe your daw will have a impact.

I hope this helps.
 
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