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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
I'm currently using an M-Audio Fast Track USB interface and their ASIO drivers while doing tracks in Real Band on my Windows 7 64bit laptop. I got it cuz it was low cost, but willing to spend a bit more on something basic, BUT with ASIO drivers that behave VERY well in Real Band.
I use BIAB and RB on my only laptop. It's not dedicated to music only, so I'd like something that I don't have to do a lot of 'turn this off to do this, and 'turn it back on to do that'... is that asking for the moon ? Hope not.
Suggestions welcomed !
Last edited by MitchC; 12/10/11 05:56 PM.
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RealBand
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
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What is the spec of your laptop? Recently found that the cheapest Toshiba laptops with their e-series duo core processors are not up to the task of any USB ASIO drivers with Win7 64 bit at play. When I say 'any' I should say these three:
M-Audio Fast Track
TASCAM US-800
E-MU 0404 USB
This laptop was one which you can get at Office Depot and other similar places for around $300.
Office Depot ended up taking it back, thankfully. I bought a refurbished Samsung with an intel core i3 for $80 more and the issues have nearly, not entirely disappeared.
I found out that AMD E-300 series processor is pretty low spec, not much higher than the atom processors that are in the little netbooks. Actually slower than the core 2 duo that was in the 4 year old Thinkpad that I was replacing.
Regarding the turning this on, don't turn that on - I grok with that. Don't get the US-800 for reliable customer service or an active driver refresh.
It could very well be your Win7 setup needs a little tweaking that will also work for your other apps as well. I'm learning that Win7 has many more hooks into power management on various busses that can interfere with audio streaming.
ASIO does require a little extra handling and knowledge on the end of the user, but shouldn't be prohibitive to getting stuff done. What exactly about ASIO is it that you think you need? If you are not using the play-through capability of soft-synths, or need to hear low-latency feedback from effects (for example, with guitar amp simulation) you may not need ASIO capability.
-Scott
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
Scott,
I have a Dell XPS 17 Core i7 laptop 8gb ram, running Windows 7 64 bit.
I have found it absoultely necessary to run ASIO if I want to add any live performance to a Real Band track. MME drivers have too much latency. Actually the M-Audio has been working OK, but in a recent support call, the tech noted that the M-Audio ASIO drivers were not the best 'fit' for BIAB / Real Band, thus my post asking if there were better alternatives.
I get frequent 'garbled' sound in Real Band doing this or that, and have to quit and relaunch RB quite often. I could very easily continue using the M-Audio Fast Track and their ASIO drivers, just curious if there might be something better ?
Last edited by MitchC; 12/11/11 01:56 PM.
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
To repeat what Scott said. You do not need ASIO unless you are playing a soft synth with a controller OR you are trying to record audio while using & monitoring a VST/DX effect. If you are doing neither then your problem is that you are monitoring THROUGH the Fast track. Check your manual for proper setup.
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,497
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,497 |
Mitch, ASIO is the way to go for low latency especially if you are using many soft synths like I do. While the "quality" of the ASIO drivers varies from manufacturer to manufacturer of your respective interface, IMHO the real key to low latency is setting up Win 7 properly. The biggest issue you may run into is running your computer with your wireless adapter switched on. ASIO and wireless do not play well together. Also, if you are using an external audio interface, which it seems that you are, go into the Win 7 Device manager and be sure that your internal sound drivers are disabled...no need to uninstall them, just disable them. If you want to probe further into Win 7 tuning take a look at this link: http://www.native-instruments.com/knowledge/questions/847/Windows+7+Tuning+Tips+for+audio+processing over at Native Instruments. The use of DPC Latency Checker followed by the use of the more specific LatencyMon will help you pinpoint your tuning.
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Quote:
What is the spec of your laptop? Recently found that the cheapest Toshiba laptops with their e-series duo core processors are not up to the task of any USB ASIO drivers with Win7 64 bit at play. When I say 'any' I should say these three:
M-Audio Fast Track
TASCAM US-800
E-MU 0404 USB
This laptop was one which you can get at Office Depot and other similar places for around $300.
Office Depot ended up taking it back, thankfully. I bought a refurbished Samsung with an intel core i3 for $80 more and the issues have nearly, not entirely disappeared.
I found out that AMD E-300 series processor is pretty low spec, not much higher than the atom processors that are in the little netbooks. Actually slower than the core 2 duo that was in the 4 year old Thinkpad that I was replacing.
Regarding the turning this on, don't turn that on - I grok with that. Don't get the US-800 for reliable customer service or an active driver refresh.
It could very well be your Win7 setup needs a little tweaking that will also work for your other apps as well. I'm learning that Win7 has many more hooks into power management on various busses that can interfere with audio streaming.
ASIO does require a little extra handling and knowledge on the end of the user, but shouldn't be prohibitive to getting stuff done. What exactly about ASIO is it that you think you need? If you are not using the play-through capability of soft-synths, or need to hear low-latency feedback from effects (for example, with guitar amp simulation) you may not need ASIO capability.
-Scott
But Scott ASIO sounds soooo much better. 
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