Subject: vocal delay in Logic 8

I have a samson usb mic plugged into logic express 8. Firstly, I had to set up an aggregate instrument in the audio/midi application (no one says anything about that when you buy it!!), but now I get an appreciable delay when I try and record into Logic. There are no delay plug ins working on the track, so I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be as fast as my guitar and midi keyboard, which work with zero latency. Any suggestions?

You may need to turn off any mastering effects on the output channel while recording. When you have your audio interface working with your software it can put a load on your processor. I'm assuming this mic acts as an audio interface. To many tracks being processed at once can also cause some issues. I don't know what kind of computer your using but I find myself freezing a lot of tracks with my G5, especially when I'm using 3rd party software. You can try changing your buffer size in logic express, click on Preferences in Logic/Audio/Devices tab/Core Audio tab. One more thing, if your using a G5 go into your System preferences, you know the light switch, click on energy saver, choose options, and on processor performance choose "Highest". Sorry your having issues.

I hope this helps.

John

I found that when I switched to Logic 8, I noticed more latency with my Tascam US-122 USB interface that previously worked well with minimal latency in GB and Logic 7. And it was most noticeable when using a microphone, with few effects if any. I've since switched to a Firewire interface (an Apogee Duet) and it seems to have solved the problem. In other words, it may just be the Samson USB mic. Maybe there's a driver update? Has it ever worked well and all of a sudden it's not? What do you use for your guitar interface?

I have this problem sometimes in Logic 8 even with my Firewire interface, but not always and not even often. It is really bizarrely random and I can't figure out the "logic" behind it. You can go to Preferences-->Audio---->General--->Plug-in Delay and then check the Low Latency Mode box to correct it while you're trying to record and monitor, this does mean you have to record pretty much dry though, because it disables any processor hogs on the track.

I've had this happen to me when recording against a single mp3 file with a single vocal track. Most of the time I can run as many tracks as I like with as many effects as I like and have zero issues with latency. It's just so random and annoying!!

I know what you mean. Everything was running fine on my machine until lately... I wonder if it was the last "Logic Pro" (8.0.2) update back in May. Might be a conspiracy from Apple to get me to buy one of the newer machines.

Thanks for everyone for their responses - I will look at all the options you've mentioned,and get back to you! Cheers...

You're probably already doing this, but just in case you missed it, there's a "low latency mode" button to the left of the loop button in the transport control.

I have absolutely no problems with latency in LP8, and I'm using an anolog Behringer UB802 interface (ie not Firewire/not USB ). I seem to be able to load up any track (vox, guitars,midi) with as many plugins as I like - even Sound Designer. It doesn't seem to be disabling any "processor hogs" either.

I'm using a new 2.8GHz iMac with 2 gig of RAM - how much RAM do you have Bill? That might be the problem.

Good luck!
Neil
B)

I use Logic Express 7, and sometimes I get the same thing. When I do I bring down the Audio and Hardware Drivers box.

Check out the I/O Buffer Size therein. Sometimes when I record vocals at 512 I get the delay. I simply lower the Buffer Size to 256. Then I unplug my USB mic and shut down LE7.

Next I plug the mic back in and THEN bring LE7 back up. It solves the problem every time. Once your vox is recorded, you can raise the Buffer Size back to 512 or even 1024.

Hope this helps...

Peace!

Solution for me seems to be recording with no effects at all, then introducing effects later. I was trying to get that death metal growl effect, which is difficult to do cold. Ah well, soldier on eh? Pushing the low latency button in the transport seems to do the trick anyway, so thanks to everyone for their brilliant responses.