the dreaded usb route

[notbradsohner]

i read up, and usb seems like a terrible way to go. so why would you go that route. Is it because you dont need a fast computer?

 

[crankz1]

USB can be used if that is your only option. I wouldn't recommend it, but it can be used. Typical use would be for better audio than what a laptop would provide with it's internal sound chip, but multitracking via USB is risky business unless you only ever intend on doing a very few number of tracks.

 

[minofifa]

i use a USB tascam. it has served me well in my entrance to home recording. I have never had trouble with bandwidth limitations. I use it for tracking two tracks at once, direct monitoring and MIDI controlling. It has served its purpose well with me. It's time for me to move on to better things though, perhaps a delta 66.

 

[brzilian]

i use a USB tascam. it has served me well in my entrance to home recording. I have never had trouble with bandwidth limitations. I use it for tracking two tracks at once, direct monitoring and MIDI controlling. It has served its purpose well with me. It's time for me to move on to better things though, perhaps a delta 66.

Try running some softsynths and see how bad your latency is.

 

[notbradsohner]

so do i need a custon built machine?

 

[NewbMediaGuy]

Does using USB matter when we're talking about using it to connect a MIDI controller, such as This lovely Evolution MK-449C MIDI controller? Or is USB just a bad idea when your talking about USB sound card interfaces?

I was told in another thread that using USB for a MIDI controller would be no different than using MIDI cables, now I just want to make sure your talking about like external sound cards or something right?

 

[tedluk]

i read up, and usb seems like a terrible way to go. so why would you go that route. Is it because you dont need a fast computer?

Could you be more specific? What USB device are you talking about? What processor and how much RAM etc. is in your computer? Is this a laptop? What software are you using?

Do you need a custom built machine? Well, I know people who are using pre-configured computers for their DAWS and then tweaking them, but I don't think I would ever go that route. A lot depends on whether you feel comfortable building your own machine or know someone else who does and is willing to learn what hardware combinations work best for audio. There are a number of companies building dedicated DAWS now, but they're pricey. Of course, you get a box made for what you want it for and a warranty and support so that's the advantage of going that route.

Ted

 

[minofifa]

i am thinking along the same line as newbmediaguy. I just ordered the keyboard MIDI controller he mentioned (coincidence) and it is connected to the computer VIA usb. So Brazillian if i run several soft synths this controller will have high latency because it is USB? hmmm that will suck... i wonder what the point of having USB midi controllers is.

 

[brzilian]

There are issues with USB MIDI connections as well. Problems with both audio and MIDI with USB exist because of the USB communications protocol. It is terribly inneficient, hogs bandwidth and CPU time and is not timing sensitive. Packets sent down the USB pipe are not guaranteed to come out the other end in the same order timing[wise as the went in. This is why there are been timing issues in recent years with USB to MIDI interfaces.

 

[tedluk]

i am thinking along the same line as newbmediaguy. I just ordered the keyboard MIDI controller he mentioned (coincidence) and it is connected to the computer VIA usb. So Brazillian if i run several soft synths this controller will have high latency because it is USB? hmmm that will suck... i wonder what the point of having USB midi controllers is.

You are confusing a lot of terms here and I don't have the time right now to explain it all.

When you're talking about latency with your soft-synths you are dealing with audio, not MIDI. All hardware will introduce a certain amount of latency because it takes time for a computer to process any information. How bad it is depends on a lot of factors; drivers, interface, hardware (soundcard), processor speed, memory, etc.

While USB is not ideal for MIDI, there is no question that it can handle what you are talking about. There will be a small amount of latency (7-8ms) but that is lower than you are going to be able to perceive.

NewbMediaGuy- you were concerned about problems with USB MIDI interfaces. The technology has matured to the point where the problems that people had originally with incompatibility between mobos and drivers have been eliminated.

The kind of latency you are worried about is most often related to the soundcard and, in particular, the drivers for the soundcard. This is why everyone tells you not to use a SB card. It has MME drivers and they will make it impossible to monitor and record (overdub). Better are ASIO and WDM drivers.

If you can afford it, you will get excellent performance from dedicated MIDI interfaces, using USB, from Edirol and Midiman and MOTU as they use technologies to improve the performance of MIDI over USB.

I'll try to find some information and post it here later (tomorrow).

Ted

 

[Tartan_Keyboard]

I have a USB Maudio evoultion ekeys midi keyboard at the moment no seqencer, im on a toshiba laptop and a usb sound blaster external soundcard and i have no trouble with either.