Wet Monitoring with TASCAM US-144

[Alter79]

Hi everyone...

"Hello Alter79,
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And I said to myself, ok, now's the time... I tried the search function and couldn't find anything.

I just bought a TASCAM US-144 ... one of the things that I will use more, is like a mixer... I'm a sax player, but sometimes I use MIDI, so... I need to play my sax, and get a zero-latency wet mix... and, in the same gig, I play keyboards...

Did I bought the wrong audio interface? I was between this TASCAM and the NIO24, because of the DrectFX feature...

The TASCAM Direct Monitor is the dry signal... so, I turn the knob all the way to the right (to "computer") but when I check the option "Input Echo" on SONAR 8, even with "lowest latency" in the Tascam CP the latency is RIDICULOUS.

Which software should I use to perform live... I need only the DirectX or VST effects... not recording in that situation, actually...

Can somebody help me?

Thanks to all, in advance

David

PS: I bought it from zzounds a couple of days ago... do they replace items? I think there's nothing defective with this item...

[Alter79]

anyone?

[garww]

I'm not sure I get it ?

This should play back tracks no problem.

You bot this to add effects - add reverb to sax or keyboard ?

[Alter79]

Thanks for being there

Well, I'm going to return the item tomorrow, and get a Novation Nio.

I need to play the backing track and mic the sax through the audio interface... I need the sax signal with FXs -DX or VST- ...

Like a mixer, let's say... The Nio has DirectFX.

Am I being clear? My english is not so good.

Thanks,
D

[jagcmos]

Unless the interface has a built-in dsp, you will need to go through your daw to play back a wet signal (effects active) and will suffer a latency hit. The amount of latency depends on the size of the audio buffer for your interface and the intrinsic delay added by each effect.

For what you're trying to do, the Novation nio will probably work much better than a standard recording interface like the US-144.

[garww]

I got my behringer mixer with FX just a few days ago - to run along with my sound card. The FX on the behringer are preset and not very subtle.

[Alter79]

wow... what a coincidence, I've ordered the 1202fx from Behringer... The FX are presets, that's not good... but for USD 99, I couldn't find something similar.

I'll use the FX in a live situation... so, I think I'll need to work hard with the EQ and how much of the signal I will wet with the onboard FXs...

D

[garww]

I don't think they sit real well for recording. Live is what they are designed for - my guess. I got the 1002fx - trying to figure it out again this evening. The mixer isn't so difficult, but I'm messing with connection possibilities.

There is a blue power LED that is kinda blinding in low light situations !! Ha !

[brandondrury]

I've considered running live sound with computer recording setup, but I just can't scrape up the balls to do it. Maybe some day.

You can certainly run your sax through a computer setup to get the ambiance you want, but the latency is depended on your computer power and your audio interface. You didn't mention if you were able to crank down the buffer at all.

Personally, I don't think a live show should be this complicated. Show up and play. If the gig is worth this kind of effort, a real setup should be used where reverb is a no brainer.

Brandon

[Alter79]

Thanks

Actually, this is a step up for me, I've doing gigs with a Ion Portable Amplifier -similar to the Alesis Transactive but cheaper- and my iPod. No mics, no cords, ... those were the days, I used to love the Ion, the wheels and the retractable thing like a suitcase... those were the days, my friend.

But -the cons- sometimes I needed to borrow extra gear, for bigger venues, and mic the things, or sometimes a quartet... u know.

Running live audio through the computer is trying to go cheaper, that's all. I want to use the Nio as an interface at home and a mixer for gigging. It's smaller than a mixer and I have MIDI with ASIO...

How about adding FXs yo the sax through the computer + using a Virtual Grand Piano with the controller + launching Band in Box with RealDrums & RealTracks + capturing the performance in a DAW... I think we are far away from things like that, what do you think...?

Best wishes,
D

PS: I tried changing the buffer size with the Tascam, but it doesn't make a big difference... and btw, the Tascam Control Panel is too limited: "lowest latency, low latency, normal latency, high latency, highest latency" and a couple of options regarding SPDIF output... it's a bad joke.