Difference between host buffer size and host safety offset?

[Godly]

Hi,

It's not clear to me what the difference between the buffer size and the safety offset.
Which one gives me latency in sound?
I'm on 128 buffer size and tried 48 safety offset.
But lately my mk4 is acting weird so I'll go to 256 again i think.
Any advice here?
Point is that on 128 i still have a noticable latency when using my soundcard as mixer for the monitoring.
Also above 128 the synth play action is way to much delayed.


Host Buffer Size
When connected to a Windows host, the Host
Buffer Size menu (Figure 3-2) is available in the
Device tab (page 12). This setting determines the
amount of latency (delay) you may hear when live
audio is patched through your Windows audio
software. Smaller buffer sizes produce lower
latency, with sizes of 256 samples or less producing
virtually imperceptible delay. Many host
applications report audio hardware I/O latency, so
you can see what happens to the reported latency
when making adjustments to this setting.
Figure 3-2: Access the ‘Host Buffer Size’ and ‘Host Safety Offset’
settings in the web app Device tab for your MOTU interface.
Be careful with very small buffer sizes, as they can
cause performance issues from your host software
or PC.
☛ At sea level, audio travels approximately one
foot (30 cm) per millisecond. A latency of ten
milliseconds is about the same as being ten feet
(three meters) from an audio source.


Host Safety Offset
When connected to a Windows host, the Host
Safety Offset menu (Figure 3-2) also becomes
available. This setting allows you to fine tune host
latency. Larger offsets allow the driver more time to
process audio as it transfers to and from the
hardware. Lower settings produce lower latency,
but if you go too low, your host software may
experience performance issues. Generally
speaking, 48 samples should serve as a good
baseline setting. You can then experiment with
lower settings from there. Be mindful, however,
when reducing the safety offset, as this parameter
can have a significant impact on your computer
system’s performance.

[Godly]

Up

[bayswater]

I've never heard of host safety offset, but from the descriptions, it would seem that both affect latency.

[terrybritton]

As well as trying different settings in those, make sure you are not using any plugins that inherently introduce latency. Some EQ plugins and compressors do, as they are intended only for mixing and mastering, not for live monitoring and adding takes.

Terry

[HCMarkus]

As well as trying different settings in those, make sure you are not using any plugins that inherently introduce latency. Some EQ plugins and compressors do as they are intended only for mixing and mastering, not for live monitoring and adding takes.

Terry

This.

And it is important to note that any such plugins will still cause latency even when bypassed. Any such plugins (mastering limiters are the typical offender) must be removed from all channel strips to avoid their impact on latency.

[HCMarkus]

I've never heard of host safety offset, but from the descriptions, it would seem that both affect latency.

I believe you are correct bays but, as Mac users, we will never see the safety offset option. It is a PC only parameter.

[HCMarkus]

Up

The brevity of your response has me pondering your intended meaning and whether additional verbiage may have been inadvertently omitted. The possibilities intrigue...

... yours (scandalous!)
... (a wonderful Disney film)
... Up and Away (another balloon reference)

and so on. But, please, rest assured I am not up(set).

If only Tim were still active here at MOTUNation. He would be at a loss for word.

[CharlzS]

I think he was going for Bump. The post had gone unanswered for two days - the OP just wanted to put it at the top and have it show up in New Posts.

[HCMarkus]

I think he was going for Bump. The post had gone unanswered for two days - the OP just wanted to put it at the top and have it show up in New Posts.

I was having a little fun... just woke up, feeling groovy.

[cuttime]

I was having a little fun... just woke up, feeling groovy.

Slow down, you move too fast...

[HCMarkus]

I was having a little fun... just woke up, feeling groovy.

Slow down, you move too fast...

[Godly]

I think he was going for Bump. The post had gone unanswered for two days - the OP just wanted to put it at the top and have it show up in New Posts.

I was having a little fun... just woke up, feeling groovy.

Haha, should i have said SEX to get your attentions hahaha.

But again on topic, still don't exactly know what it means.

I updated my mk4 to the latest firmware and i got allot more latency.
Seems that setting it to 256/256 instead of 128/64 as before, got me back to normal workable latency. Strange.

Good to know that Terry, I'll need to check my cantabile programs.

[HCMarkus]

From MOTU:

Host Buffer Size
When connected to a Windows host, the Host Buffer Size menu (Figure 1) is available. This setting determines the amount of latency (delay) you may hear when live audio is patched through your Windows audio software. Smaller buffer sizes produce lower latency, with sizes of 256 samples or less producing virtually imperceptible delay. Many host applications report audio hardware I/O latency, so you can see what happens to the reported latency when making adjustments to this setting. Be careful with very small buffer sizes, as they can cause performance issues from your host software or PC.

Host Safety Offset
When connected to a Windows host, the Host Safety Offset menu (Figure 1) also becomes available. This setting allows you to fine tune host latency. Larger offsets allow the driver more time to process audio as it transfers to and from the hardware. Lower settings produce lower latency, but if you go too low, your host software may experience performance issues. Generally speaking, 48 samples should serve as a good baseline setting.You can then experiment with lower settings from there. Be mindful, however, when reducing the safety offset, as this parameter can have a significant impact on your computer system’s performance.

[bayswater]

Haha, should i have said SEX to get your attentions hahaha.

You may be underestimating the average age of the list regulars.

[Godly]

From MOTU:

Host Buffer Size
When connected to a Windows host, the Host Buffer Size menu (Figure 1) is available. This setting determines the amount of latency (delay) you may hear when live audio is patched through your Windows audio software. Smaller buffer sizes produce lower latency, with sizes of 256 samples or less producing virtually imperceptible delay. Many host applications report audio hardware I/O latency, so you can see what happens to the reported latency when making adjustments to this setting. Be careful with very small buffer sizes, as they can cause performance issues from your host software or PC.

Host Safety Offset
When connected to a Windows host, the Host Safety Offset menu (Figure 1) also becomes available. This setting allows you to fine tune host latency. Larger offsets allow the driver more time to process audio as it transfers to and from the hardware. Lower settings produce lower latency, but if you go too low, your host software may experience performance issues. Generally speaking, 48 samples should serve as a good baseline setting.You can then experiment with lower settings from there. Be mindful, however, when reducing the safety offset, as this parameter can have a significant impact on your computer system’s performance.

Thx, i also have the manual.
But what does it mean