Hi, I'm having an issue with unexpected latency while using my Focusrite Scarlett Solo in Cubase 13. When setting the buffer low so I can record MIDI in real-time, I still get a noticeable delay when playing short notes even though my input and output latencies are just under 4ms each when the buffer size is 64 (I could potentially go down as low as a buffer of 16 but the sound is not pleasant so that's apparently not an option). The delay is large enough to be noticeably 'off' (at least half a second) and is constant regardless of what settings I choose.

Is there something wrong with my settings that I've missed? I have the same setup on another computer which works as expected so I'm a bit puzzled why it doesn't work on this one (I even used to be able to record in real-time with ASIO4ALL on the other one but can't do that here either). I've also made sure that only the track I'm recording is active so the buffer isn't overloaded.



I also don't appear to be able to control the Focusrite's volume within my PC, I can only alter it manually on the interface by turning the knob. Not much of a problem you might think, but I like to keep the knob at 12 o'clock and have the PC output volume at 20 which is comfortable on the other computer and gives me a consistent audio level. If anyone knows what's causing that too, that would be very helpful. I thought it might be to do with not using the right output (the ones in image 3 were automatically there the first time I connected the Focusrite) but choosing others didn't do anything so I guess the Monitor is the correct one. I also unchecked the 'allow apps to take exclusive control of this device' in my sound settings.

Thanks!

 

Although I've not used ASIO4ALL for a while I think it looks like you are using the 'Focusrite USB Audio' in the middle screenshot.
You should be able to switch it there to ASIO4ALL I think as looks like your using default Focusrite

 

There may be a problem with the MIDI settings rather than the audio settings.

 

Is there a plugin in your project causing additional latency? Mute all effects and see what happens.

Edit- I blame myself! I said mute, should have said bypass...

 

Last edited: Sep 7, 2024

i have the 3rd gen solo. i'm using it like you, 48khz@64 samples. i don't hear ANY latency. well i'm using reaper, i had dropouts with cubase 13 pro so i ditched it. reaper doesn't even blink, its better optimized. i hate latency, i play keys and guitars. i wish i could help ya. what system r u using? i'm on a ryzen 7 5700x, w/gen4&3 nvme's, 32gb ram, win10-revios. why asio4all? focusrite drivers are the bomb

 

Oh no, I wasn't saying I wanted to use A4A specifically, just that I could do it on another system. I'm happy using Focusrite otherwise. I just tested both the Focusrite and A4A on my other machine and the problem wasn't occurring in either Cubase or Studio One so it seems to be something on my new computer that is causing the issue.

@azz could you elaborate on that please and I will investigate further.

@Smeghead muting the effects didn't do anything, the delay amount remains the same (nice name btw, love the boys from the Dwarf myself)

@vuldegger I'm on W11, i9-13980HX, 2x NVME SSDs, 64GB RAM

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2024

I second this point.

Check if you use DirectMusic or Windows MIDI drivers. And try to switch to the other type.
Check MIDI settings (back to default may be).

 

I assume I change it via the tickboxes at the bottom there:


If so, that didn't do anything either. I got sound from all 3, but had the delay in all of them.

However, I have just found that the latency problem vanishes if I start a new empty project or load an old project with a small number of active tracks in it. It seems larger projects, even if everything has been bounced to audio, all have this latency issue. Deleting unused tracks doesn't appear to help.

Do I have any options now? I'd REALLY prefer to not have to rebuild this template as I've just got it set up the way I want it.

 

I have a Solo 2nd Gen and in Reaper I am doing 44.1KHz 16 samples. With 16 and 32, the midi timing is pretty tight but I noticed a bit of drift with buffers above that. I keep it at 16 as there are no dropouts being it with edrums or guitar through VSTs.

I used to have Cubase 12 installed and the performance was comparable to Reaper but honestly I can't remember if I tested midi with edrums on Cubase.

With these settings I get less than 4ms RTL, which is great. Your Cubase settings look appropriate and you should be able to achieve the same if you disable that safety buffer. I believe the most important thing for that is to setup your BIOS and Windows settings appropriately. For reference, I am using a 10400F with Turbo Boost disabled and never get crackles. CPU stability is very important for real time stuff.

 

my guess is that a plugin that creates big latency.

 

or other programs running in the background and using excess cpu cycles. Midi is a fairly light data stream for an interface to handle, compared to audio..

 

Yeah. Know your DAW/Template/Plugins well enough, otherwise make a new template
This is the reason why you should know your tools well, people don't say that for no reason

 

Honestly, I still suspect this. Do you have the same latency issue in a brand new project with nothing else in it?

 

Disconnect the Focusrite and deselect it in your DAW. Then do the above test again. Rule out the Focusrite and it's software entirely. If you have a second DAW or Wave Editor like Audacity,etc. also check what latency is reported in there too.

I'm not on Windows, but this thread has no mention of using Latencymon to figure this out. The problem is more likely an issue caused by Focusrite's software, but you shouldn't jump to conclusions. https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

 

Oh sorry, I thought disabling them was enough. Cubase has this nap function which is supposed to switch them off when nothing is going through them. After removing the plugin chain from my sub-master bus (it's a trailer music template so there's a fair amount of processing going on) I'm happy to say the latency is gone. There's a Channel Latency option in Cubase's mixer window setup which I was unaware of which shows it's adding about 380ms of latency. The biggest offender was Newfangled Audio's Elevate which added 114ms alone!

Thank you all, this has been very educational

 

In Cakewalk simply bypassing would have worked! I guess Cubase is different. Anyway, there you go!

 

Each DAW react differently to "plugin disable".
And options are important too.
It is not a simple "disable like it is not there at all".
Especially to avoid CPU spikes when automated.
And there are some "eco when not in use" tricks too, to reduce CPU drain.

It seems Elevate being a "mastering"' plugin, they didn't wanted to reduce latency at all, and used big buffers to avoid digital clipping (like any brickwall limiter do).
But here, they put a REALLY big buffer :D
And probably stacked buffer in each module.

Usual brickwall buffers are less than 10ms.

LoudMax (very nice freeware) is 1.25ms only :
https://www.audiotechnology.com/free-stuff/thomas-mundt-loudmax

Happy you found the source :D

You can replace Elevate by any good freeware when tracking only.
And not disable it

Like Limiter6 :
https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/

"low latency mode : only 14 samples"

 

it seems like putting a high latency linear-phase plugin on the master bus during the tracking/songwriting stage was not a good idea...

 

May be... but DEVS didn't told anyone it was not possible to TRACK with it.
There is no info about this point before you buy.