Problem with delays when overdubbing

[Craiginnes]

As ive stated in an earlier post, im a complete beginner to all this, but ill start of by listing my setup:

Computer:
3 ghz intel single processor
2gb RAM
Windows XP operating system with latest service pack

Audio Interface:
Presonus Inspire connected by firewire to my computer

Microphone:
AT2020

Software Used:
Tried Both Audacity and Cubase


Right, my problem seems a common one from what i've heard, that when recording, in my attempt to record a second track over the first one ive recorded, it sounds fine when i'm playing along, but then when i hear it back after ive recorded it, it sounds like i am terribly out of time. I was told this was perhaps something to do with latency but i'm not quite sure what that means or how i would change it.

So, what course of action would you recommend i take? If the answer involves "latency correction" or other large words I've hard thrown about but am not quite sure of their meaning, could you please detail how i would go about doing this and to what numbers i would set various sliders and buttons on my computer. Thanks in advance for any advice recieved

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by Craiginnes

If the answer involves "latency correction" or other large words I've had thrown about but am not quite sure of their meaning, could you please detail how I would go about doing this and to what numbers i would set various sliders and buttons on my computer?

If you want to get into recording you'll have to get used to new terms. Latency is the delay that happens in the process of moving all this audio data, turning into digital zero's and one's and then turning it back into sound. Some devices and software drivers take longer than others. Your Presonus audio interface is up to the task, you just need to fine tune some settings.

In Audacity, go into EDIT> PREFERENCES> AUDIO I/O> LATENCY> LATENCY CORRECTION. I'm affraid you will have to experiment with changing the settings to get a useable match between high audio reliability and low latency. (everything comes with a price).

In Cubase (you didn't say what version you have, these instructions come from LE4) go to DEVICES> DEVICE SETUP> VST AUDIO SYSTEM> ASIO DRIVER (here it may get Presonus specific) > Control Panel.

Again you may have experiment ofr get someone with your exact interface to help you with the settings. But at least now you know where to go. Good Luck, Dave

[archiegood]

Hmmmmmm... Electriclight:

My stable version of Audacity does not have such a preference setting for latency.

Latency can easily be fixed by time shifting the new tracks.

[Electriclight]

Yeah, I have a couple versions on my computer. I noticed one has alot more options than the other. I guess they keep improving it.

[Heinrich Kollner]

This also happened to me and it was my CPU!

[MetalDave]

Latency is usually fixed by adjusting loo ahead time or by installing more RAM so seeing you have plenty of RAM I am not sure what the problem may be. What soundcard are you using? If it is a creative or similar this is going to be a problem. I had to adjust latency before but it was to get rid of clicks in the recording. I have seen where using the front inputs has caused this problem also. You may just have to adjust the track to be in time with the other(s) as you go. You may have to view the track magnafied or streched to get it just right. I hope these things may help you.

[P.P.T.]

I don't use Cubase, but my recordings line up with the rest of the tracks no matter what latency I use.

[MetalDave]

If you adjust your latency to 3 ms this is the time it takes sound to travel about 3 feet. Most people if any can't tell the difference in 3 ms. it would be like listening to headphones and also the monitors 3 feet away and being able to tell the difference in the speed it got to your ears. 3 ms is unaudiable by humans.

[MetalDave]

I believe that this is a different problem other than latency. although latency can be a problem. I can't imagine a computer with a 3ghz CPU and 2 gb of RAM would have this issue. Try this site and see if it helps.
How To Speed Up Windows XP

[P.P.T.]

It's probably a setting in Cubase.
I have never had alignment problems even on a 500mhz machine.