Old 07-14-2011, 12:19 PM   #1
mpark
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Default MIDI input lag?

I have a MIDI keyboard and MIDI-to-USB cable attached to my computer. When I play a note, it takes Reaper almost a second to echo the note back on the MS synth or ReaSynth. Is that normal?

(Well, maybe not a second, but a significant delay. Makes it unplayable.)
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Old 07-14-2011, 12:47 PM   #2
XonXoff
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It is normal... mostly, but you can do something about it.

The problem is called latency and put simply the delay is caused by the time it takes your computer and soundcard to process the midi hits from the input through Reaper and off to whatever is making the sounds for you.

First up - avoid the MS synth - it's not great for latency.

Secondly, you need to reduce your buffer settings (the amount of "buffer" than the PC uses incase it gets busy when it needs to go and grab more audio data).

You do this by going to the Preferences in Reaper, but if you are using ASIO drivers you will need to alter the buffers in the soundcard's control panel.

Now, it is a tradeoff.... the more you reduce the latency the more likely you are to start getting pops and clicks, especially when your project is heavily loaded.

But it's fine to swap between a lower latency for tracking and a larger latency for mixing.

Last edited by XonXoff; 07-14-2011 at 12:48 PM. Reason: typo
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Old 07-14-2011, 05:31 PM   #3
audioguytodd
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Deactivate (uncheck) the MS Synth in the Midi Devices page. Even just having it checked can cause uber latency.
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Old 07-14-2011, 09:51 PM   #4
derek.john.evans
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Do you have a decent ASIO USB device?

You cant play live MIDI using standard audio hardware.
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Old 07-15-2011, 02:42 AM   #5
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.. though it's possible with lots of standard/onboard soundcards using asio4all.
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Old 07-16-2011, 06:08 AM   #6
mpark
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Thanks for all the information. I installed ASIO4ALL and it eliminated the latency problem.
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