User guide

REDUCING MONITORING LATENCY
67
ADJUSTING THE AUDIO I/O BUFFER
A buffer is a small amount of computer memory
used to hold data. For audio interfaces like the
896mk3, buffers are used for the process of
transferring audio data in and out of the computer.
The size of the buffers determines how much delay
you hear when monitoring live inputs through
your audio software: larger buffers produce more
delay; smaller buffers produce less.
Buffer size adjustment is made in MOTU Audio
Console, as shown in Figure 8-3 via the Samples Per
Buffer setting.
Figure 8-3: Lowering the ‘Samples Per Buffer’ setting in MOTU Audio
Console reduces patch thru latency. But doing so increases the
processing load on your computer, so keep an eye on the Perfor-
mance Monitor in your host audio software.
2. CueMix FX immediately patches the
live mic signal directly to the main outs
(or other output), completely bypassing
the computer. This signal could be dry, or
with 896mk3 effects processing, such as
EQ, compression or Classic Reverb.
3. Mic signal is mixed with the main outs, and you
can control the volume (relative to the rest of the
mix) with the mic’s fader in CueMix FX.
Figure 8-2: This diagram shows the signal flow when using CueMix FX no-latency monitoring. Notice that this method does not process the
live input with plug-ins in your audio software. Instead, you can apply 896mk3 effects, such as the reverb, EQ and/or compression.
1. Live input (from mic,
guitar, etc.) enters the
MOTU interface.
896mk3 Hybrid book Page 67 Friday, August 19, 2011 2:04 PM