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I have a question about microphone latency. I'm trying to record specifically with band in a box. I just got a new headphone with a microphone on it and I'm trying to use it but it seems that when I try to record my voice on my song the audio of my vocal is falling behind the music what can I do to fix this? Thank you for any help. I have band in a box 2020 and I have never tried to record with the USB in band in a box, but like I said my voice keeps falling behind the music and I'm wondering what's wrong and how can I fix this?


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Generally this is fixed by using an appropriate auidio driver. You need to install an ASIO driver. Not MME or WAS you need ASIO... to reduce latency to an acceptable level.


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Trapper.

most people/project studios use a low latency usb interface with asio/wdm drivers.and plug a xlr mic into the interface. a lot of interfaces now have v low latency.some of the order of a few millisecs which one doesnt notice.

heres a example user list of interfaces....

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=635707#Post635707


i'm not at my pc right now...but if i remember there is a adjust in the drivers section of prefs for latency.
(i would also talk to support n' see if they have any triks/solutions....cos ive never used your approach/gear)

it might be a good idea to post back more info on manufacturer of your mic etc as well as pics of your
bb driver settings...which helps in diagnosis.

finally have you ever run latency mon on your pc ?

link...and info...

https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

happiness

om





Last edited by justanoldmuso; 03/26/23 02:29 PM.

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If your audio card/module has direct monitoring, then you're probably better using that as it will have essentially zero latency.
If not you'll have to use one of the above methods to get low latency.


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Trapper456, My USB gaming headset with integrated headphone and microphones is likely similar to what you are using. You can not minimize your audio latency with your existing setup.

There are three solutions to your issue: (1) Use an external audio interface that includes direct monitoring. (2) Use different software that has a direct monitoring feature. (3) Update Band-in-a-Box to 2023 which has (new this year!) the direct monitoring feature.

Option 1: Most audio interfaces include an internal mixer that combines the outgoing computer audio signal with incoming audio coming from a microphone or instrument and then sends the combined audio signal to a headphone jack. The interface delays your incoming audio signal long enough for the incoming and outgoing audio signals to match. Not all audio interfaces have this feature and they all seem to have their on marketing name for the feature. Loopback, echo, direct input and direct monitoring are names I can think of off hand. The +++ Samson Go Mic +++ is a relatively inexpensive USB microphone with this feature. This from the webpage link:
Quote:
It also includes an 1/8″ (3.5mm) headphone output for zero-latency direct monitoring. This means there will be no delay between the audio you’re recording and the audio you’re hearing.


Option 2: Many DAWs have a button or setting that adjusts track audio output to match a recorded audio input. The DAW I use, Cakewalk by Bandlab, calls this echo and it is discussed in more detail +++ HERE +++.

Option 3: A +++ new feature +++ in 2023 Band-in-a-Box is audio input monitoring.
Quote:
Audio Input monitoring to hear your Audio Input (e.g., electric guitar with effects) through to Audio Out.
Quote:
This is like "Audio Thru" and it routes incoming audio to Audio Out.

To use this feature, you need to arm the track that you are recording to. Right-click on the track button in the Mixer and select the Arm Track for Audio Input Monitoring menu item, or right-click on the VU meters and select Arm Track from the menu.

The VU meters right-click menu has options to select an audio input. For example, if your audio interface has two inputs (right/left) and you want to record from a microphone plugged into the right input, select the Mono Right to Stereo menu item.

When the track is armed, blue borders are drawn around the VU meters. You can now monitor audio input along with the effects that you select on that track. For example, if you want to add a tremolo effect to your recording, right-click on the first slot in the Mixer, select Choose Plugin from the menu, and select a tremolo effect. Now, when you sing or play an instrument though the microphone, you will see it on the VU meters and you will hear it along with the tremolo effect.


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I'm assuming this mic with headphones uses a USB connection. When USB mics were first introduced, they were cheap and were promoted for podcast use. It was simply not possible to get anything really good out of them. I don't know if that's still the case, but I don't see a lot of USB mics in the Sweetwater catalog and I assume that's for a reason. The better solutions have been discussed above.


If this headphone / mic unit does not connect via USB, then never mind; please identify the model and brand.


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Originally Posted By: trapper456
I have a question about microphone latency. I'm trying to record specifically with band in a box. I just got a new headphone with a microphone on it and I'm trying to use it but it seems that when I try to record my voice on my song the audio of my vocal is falling behind the music what can I do to fix this? Thank you for any help. I have band in a box 2020 and I have never tried to record with the USB in band in a box, but like I said my voice keeps falling behind the music and I'm wondering what's wrong and how can I fix this?


Get a proper audio interface with proper ASIO drivers and a proper microphone. Done.


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So what I have is a H390 USB computer headset with the microphone attached that I bought from Walmart. For $47.00, when I recorded my voice, and my voice falls behind the music. I have Band in a Box 2020.


Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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So what I have is a H390 USB computer headset with the microphone attached that I bought from Walmart. For $47.00, when I recorded my voice, and my voice falls behind the music. I have Band in a Box 2020.


Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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Originally Posted By: trapper456
So what I have is a H390 USB computer headset with the microphone attached that I bought from Walmart. For $47.00, when I recorded my voice, and my voice falls behind the music. I have Band in a Box 2020.


Not suitable for recording.

Once again:
Get a proper audio interface with proper ASIO drivers and a proper microphone. Done.

Last edited by Byron Dickens; 03/27/23 06:15 PM.

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Originally Posted By: trapper456
So what I have is a H390 USB computer headset with the microphone attached that I bought from Walmart. For $47.00, when I recorded my voice, and my voice falls behind the music. I have Band in a Box 2020.


What is your audio interface, also called a sound card. If you are using your mic directly into your computer you are probably using a REaltek sound card and they are not for recording music/vocals. I believe what you purchased is used for games and talking/work, not for vocal recordings.

Even a single input audio interface like this one for $40 USD:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Audio-Interface-XLR-TRS/dp/B09C5Y7SKS/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1N9EK8ZW1JP67&keywords=audio+interface+for+pc&qid=1680010530&sprefix=audio+interface%2Caps%2C367&sr=8-7

and a mic like this one for $26 USD:

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Dyna...C292&sr=8-7

is much better than what you have. YMMV

Last edited by MarioD; 03/28/23 03:42 AM.

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<< So what I have is a H390 USB computer headset with the microphone attached that I bought from Walmart. For $47.00, when I recorded my voice, and my voice falls behind the music. I have Band in a Box 2020. >>

<<I'm trying to record specifically with band in a box. >>


The USB Mic/headphone combo you have is more than sufficient for the task you are attempting. The microphone has no affect to causing latency. Latency is between the built-in usb interface, the pc and program. The solution to latency can be fixed in BIAB without any additional cost or changes in hardware. Using 2020 version of BIAB doesn't have direct monitoring capability so you're unable to hear yourself playing an instrument or singing vocals during recording. You hear latency when you playback the recording. That's all that needs to be adjusted. BIAB has latency adjustments for MME, WAS, and ASIO drivers. Latency will only need an initial adjustment to synch the mic/headset to BIAB. Once the latency offset amount has been determined and adjusted, recorded audio and BIAB will be synched.

Even if you don't adjust the latency, since it's a fixed amount of milliseconds, it is a simple matter to highlight to select the entire vocal/instrument recorded audio track and cut/paste the track into synch with the BIAB tracks. This is done from the Audio Edit Window. Cut the audio track from the very beginning of the audio to past the ending and this stores the cut audio to the clipboard. Use the red curser line to mark where the beginning of the audio recording needs to be moved to. The audio recording beginning will paste at the red curser which will synch the audio recording with the BIAB tracks.




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I have used that 'Latency Adjust' button in Charlie Fogle's picture a couple times when working with very basic setups.
That little tool may in and of itself help you adjust your issue.

For better results, an audio interface (as mentioned) is a better approach, but usually you can get around it when needed.


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Bryon nailed it.

If you are serious about this hobby of recording, you should invest in the proper tools. That includes a good interface such as a focusrite Scarlett or equivalent, that runs ASIO drivers and purchase a decent condenser mic that plugs into the interface.

Neither need to be particularly expensive. There's decent condenser mics that are under $100 and will give you good sounding audio. You can get a used interface for cheap but research it first to make sure it uses ASIO and that it has phantom power for the condenser mic. You can't generally go wrong with focusrite


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There are always delays in sampled systems. ASIO will only reduce the delay to a low value, that you may or may not notice.

Synchronising at playback/mixing is sensible, and if you are mixing to a video signal it becomes essential. That's why the clapper board was invented over a century ago, to sync sound and film accurately.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapperboard

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I would recommend ensuring your headphone microphone and audio interface drivers are up-to-date. Also, check Band in Box settings for any latency adjustments or buffer size settings you can tweak to reduce delay.

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