Latency issues with Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - advice!

Darylc

Hey,

So just got the Liquid Saffire 56 about a week ago for general recording, live drums, etc etc.

Anyway, im having a big problem with latency, i can reduce it a little bit, but it would still be a problem to record properly with the amount im getting.
Even creating a new project with 1 track, no plugs i get the same amount of latency.

I've updated everything to the latest drivers, checked all tech support possibilities, apart from ringing them, changed all the buffers, latency etc etc, to the best possible settings & all inbetween
My system hasnt gone above 20% CPU power even on the best settings.

The only other thing i can think of doing is updating to Logic 9

I've also got an Apogee Duet, which i can get near zero latency on in with the exact same setup & recording situation, the whole point of the 56 was for the 8 Mic pre's & expandability.

Spec on my system below,

MBP '09
Mac OSX 10.5.8
2.8ghz dual core
4GB ram
7200rpm HD
8 pin FW

DAW
Logic 8.0.2

Liquid saffire 56 is the only FW device connected, internal HD is being used.

Any help or advice would be great, im contemplating returning this for a Motu 828 or even a Fireface 400

MilanPan!c

I may be wrong, but isn't this a known issue?

PaulBrewer

Darylc wrote: »

apart from ringing them

That's the thing to do.

danjokill

Bet you're trying to monitor through the DAW? .... you always have latency
..... monitor direct ..... the 56 software allows you to route the incoming siginal direct to the headphone or any of the analogue outputs on the unit.


I don't own one ..... my mate has one, and a couple of times he's called me up to FIX it for him (he aint very technical)

You need to get your head around the focusrite software.

Not a bad unit main issue i have is the poor gain on it.

Darylc

danjokill, thats exactly it, DUH! you'd think this would be the first thing a manufacturer suggests before you tear all your frigging hair out.
cheers, have it setup perfectly now.

yea there's not much gain on there, although its enough for our applications so its not a killer.

So i take it you cant really get any, reasonably priced, interface monitoring through the DAW to get to near zero latency, or at least to a manageable level?

I mean would i get a better latency with a Motu 828 or an RME Fireface?
Or is it just pointless trying to achieve that without spending a couple years salary on apogee ad/da's, mac towers and all the rest?

GTE

Darylc wrote: »

danjokill, thats exactly it, DUH! you'd think this would be the first thing a manufacturer suggests before you tear all your frigging hair out.
cheers, have it setup perfectly now.

yea there's not much gain on there, although its enough for our applications so its not a killer.

So i take it you cant really get any, reasonably priced, interface monitoring through the DAW to get to near zero latency, or at least to a manageable level?

I mean would i get a better latency with a Motu 828 or an RME Fireface?
Or is it just pointless trying to achieve that without spending a couple years salary on apogee ad/da's, mac towers and all the rest?

Would the ability to monitor through a daw not be dependent on the speed of your computer? Bus speeds and all that. I wouldnt think that its directly ONLY to do with the interface.

Also, what is your FW card? I had issues with the Pro 40 because I wasnt using a Texas intruments FW card. Once I got one every aspect improved.

What you can do is setup DAW1 and DAW2 outputs in the monitoring section of the Saffire software. Send it to whatever headphone outputs and essentially you have 0 latency since you are recording with what you are hearing.

In my experience Cubase sorts out any latency so the recordings match up with each other timewise.

I have never had a problem with zero latency recording and my Saffire.

danjokill

Darylc wrote: »

So i take it you cant really get any, reasonably priced, interface monitoring through the DAW to get to near zero latency, or at least to a manageable level?

I mean would i get a better latency with a Motu 828 or an RME Fireface?
Or is it just pointless trying to achieve that without spending a couple years salary on apogee ad/da's, mac towers and all the rest?

You'll never get zero latencey, manageable yes ..... adjusting the buffer size will help, streamlining your PC for Audio will help ..... there are loads of tweaks ..... I have always thought that you can lower it enough to get away with intruments etc but vocals will show. Once the PC is processing something it will show.

MilanPan!c

This is very true and one real immediate area where having external hardware is really useful.