Major Ableton Latency Issues with External Instruments

[MrBree]

So I recently acquired an Ableton Push, and it works perfectly, but an issue of latency arises once I start adding external instruments.

I have a brand new Focusrite 18i8 audio interface, so my interface isn't the issue.

The error occurs as soon as I add 'External Instrument' into a MIDI track in Ableton. Once I do this, the Ableton Push has noticeable lag... As soon as I remove the 'EXT INST' plugin, the lag is fixed.

I have a DS Tempest & a MicroKorg XL. The korg is connected via usb to my computer, and as a stereo out to my audio interface. That is literally all that's going on.... (I don't even need the usb cable from Korg to computer as it works the same without it...)

Pls halp!!

[nowaysj]

I'm a bit confused about your setup. Can't really say, maybe the ableton forums would be best?

Maybe have a midi loop going?

But, you are going to have latency when working with external gear. Lets say you program a note - when the (virtual) playhead gets there to trigger the note, the midi note has to go out through your midi/audio interface, the note travels to the gear, the gear plays the note, the note comes back into your audio interface, is sent to your audio application, is reproduced in your audio app, and sent back out to your audio interface, then out to your speakers or headphones. Each of those ins and outs adds milliseconds, 4 of those at 12ms each adds up. One thing that you can do (if your audio interface can do it) is monitor the audio input live, so you can cut down on the delay caused by the audio going to your daw, and being bounced back out. That will cut some lag, but not all. If you have a problem beyond ~40-50ms and you kinda know what you are doing with audio, probably best to talk to ableton.

Have you searched? Come up with anything?

[fragments]

I'm a bit confused too. I'd say link everything via 5 pin MIDI to your interface and try that instead of using USB on the Microkorg. If you are connecting the Tempest via the interface and the Korg via USB maybe that is freaking out the MIDI clock in Ableton. In my experience daisy chaining two synths shouldn't cause any lag problems.

Otherwise, sounds like an Ableton issue?

[tpc_uk]

I maybe wrong but I think any USB audio interface will have a latency depending on brand/model etc etc.

[Capture pt]

I maybe wrong but I think any USB audio interface will have a latency depending on brand/model etc etc.

While "true", the Focusrite (and many other well regarded brands) pride themselves on super low latency - it's so low you wouldn't be able to hear an audible difference.

For example my Focusrite I have at 8ms buffer length with the option to go lower and it still works without stutter - but there's no need to as at 8ms it's really unnoticeable.

FL also has some pretty good playback tracking/offset options when are great for dialling out slow midi.

My MicroBrute uses its own USB midi, with sound going back through the 2i4 Focusrite and the latency is not noticeable at all - can trigger the synth over midi perfectly through the whole track without having to bounce to audio (if you wanted)

However my Volca, with a much more shady USB-MIDI converter lags quite bad - not possible to trigger that whilst playing the track - best to sequence on board or record to audio. Not the volca's fault - it's the shit USB-MIDI converter that cost 2.50 or whatever.

[nowaysj]

However my Volca, with a much more shady USB-MIDI converter lags quite bad - not possible to trigger that whilst playing the track - best to sequence on board or record to audio. Not the volca's fault - it's the shit USB-MIDI converter that cost 2.50 or whatever.

That is disappointing.

[Capture pt]

Well I mean - you get what you pay for - the midi converter was £2.50 - I could buy a more expensive branded one for £20 and it would probably work.

Just to clarify, it's not the Volca causing the lag - it's the shit converter I have.

can still use it perfectly fine by bouncing to audio or sequencing on the volca and just sending the master sync to the Volca (which doesn't seem to lag oddly) - so while not ideal, still not the end.

I could probably dial out the lag with the offset option in FL - but then that would create lag in my midi or the brute if I wanted to use those at the same time.

[nowaysj]

Achilles of fruity is external gear. Should have some pdc compensated plugin that does it all for you.