Audio Interface for Axiom 25 + MPD 24?

[ohiwantoscratch]

Hey guys.

Currently i'm using these 2 equipments.

However i have experienced latency and i'm using it wif FLStudio.

After doing some research, i've realised i need an audio interface to cut down the latency.

Is that true?

Which do you recommend?

I'm trying to get an interface ontop of the ASIOdrivers that i'm using.

Currently i'm using USB for both equipments.

Does it mean if i use the audio interface, i have to use midi cables?

Cheers.

 

[blueprintstudios]

you using asio4all.com ?

 

[ohiwantoscratch]

yes sir, i am.

however still experiencing latency.

plus there's alot of popping in my fl.

i'm sensing its due to overloading.

or could upgrading help?

wat do i upgrade?

the onli shitty thing abt my com is my soundcard, pretty standard ish.

 

[blueprintstudios]

like you said, both your gears are running on "midi usb". actually i'm not too familiar myself with midi USB cos I only got a M audio midisport uno which I use in conjunction with roland v-drums. I tried it with a MicroKorg it's fine on the latency too. sorry I can't be more of help. what's your PC specs?

does it only lag when you load alot of "instruments" ?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

if with a dedicated audio interface, it should have its own asio driver from manufacturer site, which will cut down on the latency in general. But at times, depending on the computer spec, software and hardware spec, setting etc, it might differ among different setup

With the 2 usb device, it will still be connected via usb, dont have to connect to audio interface.

the 2 usb midi devices, will send midi signal via usb to within FL or any other daw you will be using, in order to trigger the sound from software. After which the triggered sound will be output to the audio interface.

 

[Cheez]

Do let us know the specs for your notebook. 2 USB devices should be OK as midi isn't a data transfer hog. But if your specs is low, then it may become a real bottleneck.

 

[l0u5y]

is it the latency of the playback when you press on your midi controllers or when you use fl studio and it lags?

it should most likely be the 1st one. That can be solve by using a dedicated audio interface. any cheap decent one will do the job fine unless you are looking at recording/mixing etc.

once you set fl studio to always work with your audio interface, there won't be any problems already.

 

[ohiwantoscratch]

it's like when i record on FL, it's like a few milliseconds off.. so i haf to like requantize again.. so i don't need an audio interface?

 

[ohiwantoscratch]

i'm sensing its more of a soundcard issue rather than an audio interface issue.. agree?

 

[squarehero]

Latency is caused by your soundcard. An audio interface is essentially a soundcard to replace your onboard sound. If you have firewire, try the presonus firebox. But it tends to be very sensitive so make sure you can return it if it doesn't work.

Alternatives to presonus are m-audio, focusrite and motu. I am not too familiar with the models from m-audio/focusrite I read the focusrite ones are pretty good. If your budget is higher, you can go for motu soundcards.

If you don't have firewire, you can try the usb variety from the above vendors. This is not recommended, of course, as usb shares bandwidth with the other usb peripherals you have.

 

[ohiwantoscratch]

for the axiom and mpd24, they conenct using usb.

means i can't use firewire right?

 

[squarehero]

Hi,
I think you are confused about what the axiom and mpd24 actually do.
They are midi controllers and don't make any sound. So, they control the synthesizers in FL Studio.

How your setup flows currently is like this

Axiom/MPD24 ---- connected via usb to latop generates MIDI signal-->FL Studio Synthesizer--->generates audio routed internally to DAW outs 1/2--- audio routed to ---> laptop soundcard --does digital conversion to analog --> laptop speakers

Your future setup with an audio interface would be something like this (courtesy Presonus firebox manual)

Except, you don't connect your controllers through the midi in of the audio interface.

Also, if you buy an audio interface, you won't be able to play the sound out of your laptop speakers any more. Unless your speakers have aux in. You will need a pair of dedicated speakers as per the diagram

Since yours is a laptop, you can buy a pc card with firewire and use the firewire. Just get a card with VIA/TI chipset and you're pretty ok.

 

[blueprintstudios]

ohiwanttoscratch : pls let us know your exact pc specs?

to answer your question : No. you can.
I'm using creative prodikeys (via PS/2) as a midi controller + M-audio MidiSport Uno USB (as another midi controller) + a synth with midi in/outs cable into my presonus firebox and all 3 of these playing at the same time in conjunction with Presonus firebox as an audio interface on my cubase. it can be done. but ASIO can only load one audio interface. remember that.

if I wasn't using ASIO , using something old like cool edit. there's latency issues (but have to manual sync later) but I could on demand use onboard soundcard + presonus firebox + a usb audio interface like zoom h2 on demand combine recording. but sure out of sync one heheh. but this is out of the question now.

 

[teleholic]

ohiwantoscratch: pm-ed you..

 

[ohiwantoscratch]

let's say i decided to get the presonus firebox.

hows it even possible to connect the mpd and axiom, which connects by usb, to it? seriously i don't get how.

b4 ya'll get pissed wif my noobness, i'd like to thank ya'll for taking time to school the noob! greatly appreciate ur patience and knowledge

 

[blueprintstudios]

ohiwanttoscratch : I'd be pissed if i had to ask for your pc specs again though lol

e.g

etc > firebox > firewire > laptop
mpd > usb > laptop
axiom > usb > laptop

you can only have 1 audio interface via ASIO, but if i'm not wrong (at least for me) can use multiple midi interfaces/controllers

so in your case if you bought the firebox you are using that as audio interface.