Audio Buffer Settings and stuttering - Newbie Needs Help!

[bigbossross]

Hey all,
After experiencing choppy, stuttering audio, I changed my audio buffer settings in Resolume from 512 to 2048. This fixed the issue, but as i understand it this introduces latency. I have a beefy PC (see my specs below), and am wondering if it is normal to be unable to playback audio normally when the audio buffer is set to 512.
Would using ASIO4all help with this at all?
I am using my onboard Realtek integrated sound card. Would a dedicated sound card allow me to reduce the buffer further? If so, any recommendations for a decent inexpensive soundcard ?
I am looking to eliminate as much latency as possible so that my audio responsive FFGL effects are dead-on with the music. Thanks a bunch!

Boss Ross


My Specs:
Resolume Arena 4.1.11
3.5 GHZ Intel i7
16 GB RAM
WIndows 7 64 bit
7200 rpm Hard drives

[Zoltán]

it is normal to be unable to playback audio normally when the audio buffer is set to 512.
Would using ASIO4all help with this at all?

yes normal, this has to do with resolume playback engine,
you can try asio4all, but I think it will not help much, if at all.

2048 samples are 42ms @48kHz (about 1 PAL frame)
I think an average user will not notice any delay when playing back.
when anything, you will have better audio-video playback sync as all your video equipment introduces some delay.

latency is more an issue when recording&playing back at the same time in studio conditions.
an artis can hear the delay, when playing guitar for example, or singing
(a slight variating delay in an audio stream mixed with the same signal non delayed makes the flanger effect you know.)

when playing back and audio or video stream have a delay to one another, with a very small delay it is hard to tell which stream is behind the other.

in your application where you are using audio input -as I assume- to control your effects,
the video delay added by the devices and the 1 frame audio latency on the input are added.

I am using my onboard Realtek integrated sound card. Would a dedicated sound card allow me to reduce the buffer further? If so, any recommendations for a decent inexpensive soundcard ?

a dedicated sound card will have better latency, better sound quality, symmetrical i/o which is good for long signal cables.
I have m-audio profire 2626 (firewire) and can play back at 48 Khz with buffer set to 128.

latency is not all about the soundcard, you have to have a cumputer that can handle very low latency - realtime audio.
you can check it with DPC latecy checker :
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml
if you have problems then the method is to disabling unneeded devices like wifi, bluetooth, usb mouse, etc.

edit:
you could try one of these:
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is USB
M-Audio Fast Track Pro is USB
M-audio profire 610 is Firewire
you can get them around 100 Euros on ebay.

[bigbossross]

Awesome thanks for your help!