USB motu 828 mkii, and minimun latency - help please?

[yapweiliang]

I folks, I've noticed that (using Sonar, or the MOTU's audio console) I am unable to choose any sample buffer size less than 512 samples per buffer (which approximates to 11.6 ms latency).

I've seen in various fora that people using the 828 mkii have tried lower settings e.g. 256, 128, etc (and described the outcomes, i.e. worked or not), but for me I can't even seem to choose anything lower than 512. The choice is not there in the Motu audio console

I'm using the USB interface however, and on Vista 64 bit, so I'm wondering whether this is a limitation of the USB interface (if it is then motu sales / website are misleading because it advertises the FW and USB version as having the same specifications otherwise), or is it a limitation of Vista x64? Or both? My machine is fairly powerful, so I think I deserve a shot at trying a lower latency to see if it works.

Wei Liang

PS I have asked MOTU tech support but am still waiting for their reply

[RJH_MUSIC]

I am having all kinds of troubles with the 828mrkII FW version. I cannot get it to work at all on VISTA 64 with 4 gig of ram. It will work on VISTA 32 which onyl sees 3 gig of ram and I have had buffers down to 512 whihc yields a little poppyness and about 11 ms latency. At 768 samples, popps and clicks are gone and latency is about 14 ms. At those numbers, the latency is not audible at all.

I am trying to decide whether or not to exchange the FW unit for a USB one. WIth the numbers you quote for latency, that seems very doable.

Are you using 4 gig of ram in VISTA 64? And if so, your 828mrkII USB is working fine?, (other than the problem you are having)

RJ

[yapweiliang]

Apparently there is a known issue with specifically 4GB of RAM installed. It has been mentioned somewhere in these fora. I am using 2GB of RAM, on Vista 64 bit.

Re: latency, I have no problems at 512 samples per buffer (=11.6 ms latency) however, I am a bit surprised, and disappointed that I can't use a lower latency. Theoretically, I should be allowed to go down to 256, or even 128 samples per buffer, which I am aware other people have reported (but using different OS, and using FW), however mine doesn't seem to allow me the option of choosing any lower than 512. I don't know why.

BTW as an off topic - if you put your ear to your 828mkii, do you hear any soft buzzing noise from the power supply transformer? or is it completely silent?

I am having all kinds of troubles with the 828mrkII FW version. I cannot get it to work at all on VISTA 64 with 4 gig of ram. It will work on VISTA 32 which onyl sees 3 gig of ram and I have had buffers down to 512 whihc yields a little poppyness and about 11 ms latency. At 768 samples, popps and clicks are gone and latency is about 14 ms. At those numbers, the latency is not audible at all.

I am trying to decide whether or not to exchange the FW unit for a USB one. WIth the numbers you quote for latency, that seems very doable.

Are you using 4 gig of ram in VISTA 64? And if so, your 828mrkII USB is working fine?, (other than the problem you are having)

RJ

[yapweiliang]

now...

On Windows Vista x64, with my USB 828 mkii, the lowest 'samples per buffer' that the MOTU audio console allows me to choose is 512.

On Windows XP, on a lesser (CPU/RAM) computer, with the same 828 mkii, the MOTU audio console allows me to choose 256 - which is half the latency!

How is it that with faster hardware, and an apparently superior operating system, I have to accept a longer latency? Is there a problem with my Vista setup? Is it a known Vista limitation? Any ideas how I can try a lower latency on my Vista system?

[mudgel]

Sorry but Vista any version is just not ready for prime time audio yet. My advice go back to XP, dual boot and experiment with Vista but do any serious work in XP.

that's what most of the pros are doing.