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Hey guys,

I'm getting into music production with Ableton Live 8. I use my synth as a MIDI controller, and use mostly VST synths for stuff, because I have too much latency to input any sounds. Latency for me is a big problem, and my sound card on my computer sucks a lot, but then again, my computer sucks too. I hope to eventually get both, but which do you guys think is more important- getting an entire new computer, or getting an audio interface? I would really like to have the capability of having separate headphone and master mixes as well. I also would like to record my band, which requires audio inputs.

i'd say the audio interface will give you more bang for your buck right now, especially if you already have a synth. something like this (http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio ... ire_pro_24) would easily transfer over to a new computer too (assuming both have firewire)

Thanks for the reply. I'm on a limited budget, I'm checking out the interface you just showed me, but I was also thinking about an M-audio fast track ultra, which has plenty of inputs for everyone my band. Using the audio interface as a sound card would decrease MIDI latency, correct?

that m-audio looks pretty good. i'd definitely go for something in that direction, and i bet you can get one refurb/used for cheap.

usually, the worst latency issues will come from audio rather than midi. i'm not sure how you differentiate between an audio interface and a sound card. i have always used the two term interchangeably (a sound card just being an audio interface in a "card format" which is put in a PCI/PCI-express slot).

A high-quality external audio interface will almost always give you a drastic reduction in input/output latency ability for audio. On my old laptop, if I used cubase with the built-in sound I couldnt get below 300ms in+out latency. When I used a SB audigy 2zs card (PCI express format), I got it down in to around 40ms for output (i never really used it for input). It would need to be increased on bigger arrangements, but it was pretty decent. I bought that focusrite saffire box about a year ago and can do in+out at less than 15ms. On my current computer (desktop, home-assembled) I can bring it down even lower than that.

long story short: a decent interface will help with latency. so will a faster processor and more memory (if you use a lot of VSTs)

Alright, sounds good. I like the saffire 24 too, thanks for the recommendation.

no worries, best of luck