Latency w/ Audacity???

[Jamasaurus]

I'm using Audacity (the beta that runs on 7) and trying to play along with some mp3s. I import the song into Audacity and, through my Presonus Audiobox, play along with the tracks.

Unfortunately, when I go back and listen to both together, it sounds as if the bass track I recorded is slightly behind the music track. I've heard the term latency tossed around but really don't know what it means. Is this a latency issue?

Anyone know how to fix this???

[DarkArwen]

This is interesting. I use audacity and don't have a problem as long as I am using headphones. At the risk of sounding stupid.. you are using headphones aren't you? Perhaps it's a problem with your computer. Try making sure all other programs are closed and you are not connected to any network/ethernet.

[peledog]

Originally Posted by Jamasaurus

I'm using Audacity (the beta that runs on 7) and trying to play along with some mp3s. I import the song into Audacity and, through my Presonus Audiobox, play along with the tracks.

Unfortunately, when I go back and listen to both together, it sounds as if the bass track I recorded is slightly behind the music track. I've heard the term latency tossed around but really don't know what it means. Is this a latency issue?

Anyone know how to fix this???

I have the same problem. I'm using a Tascam - everything sounds fine while recording along with the mp3 - using headphones. Then when I play it back, the bass track is late a split second. I'm searching the Audacity forums - this is a Windows 7 issue as far as I can tell.

[Charling]

It sounds like you need to go into your DAW's preferences and tick a box that says 'adjust audio for record latency' or similar. Most DAW's have it on as default but it may be off in your case... if its not that then its an odd problem. Could be a soundcard not reporting its record latency properly to the host, this would be very rare with a decent interface, but COULD be a problem when using a computers built in soundcard..

[Jazz Ad]

You could try Reaper, which will allow you to use ASIO drivers. Latency be gone.

[3506string]

You have two options. One is to manually correct it. Second is to set audacity to automatically compensate.

When I was running audacity I used the metronome on my keyboard. I recorded the metronome. Then I went back and re-recorded a second track over it until the tracks were audibly in sync. After that you can go in and enlarge the two files and highlight the start of one of the clicks on the first track to the start of the same click on the second track. The selection time is what you will use to set back your latency.

For example say say the click on track one starts on :.0487 and on track to the same click starts on :.0514. so the difference will be .0027 that is the latency. So you will set the latency correction for -.0027

It was a bit of a pain but you only have to do it once.

[peledog]

Originally Posted by 3506string

You have two options. One is to manually correct it. Second is to set audacity to automatically compensate.

When I was running audacity I used the metronome on my keyboard. I recorded the metronome. Then I went back and re-recorded a second track over it until the tracks were audibly in sync. After that you can go in and enlarge the two files and highlight the start of one of the clicks on the first track to the start of the same click on the second track. The selection time is what you will use to set back your latency.

For example say say the click on track one starts on :.0487 and on track to the same click starts on :.0514. so the difference will be .0027 that is the latency. So you will set the latency correction for -.0027

It was a bit of a pain but you only have to do it once.

Will Audacity remember these settings?

[3506string]

Originally Posted by peledog

Will Audacity remember these settings?

Yeah, once you set the latency correction it becomes default every time you use audacity. The only time you would have to change it is if you change interfaces or somehow you alter some parameter of the driver that would cause you latency to be greater or less.

Once you record and hit stop you will visibly see audacity shift the wave back the preset time or at least I did because my latency was pretty bad.

[peledog]

Nice! I will give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

[3506string]

Here's the video where I got the idea. In the video he uses vocals but I substituted a metronome. Also one of the commenter has a good idea.

There's a better way to do this. Using vocals allows for too much measurement error. If you want to make the correction much more precise click on generate and choose to make a 'click track'. Any click track settings will do. Then use your mic to record the click track playing back from the speakers, headphones, etc. Then adjust the latency as described in the video after measuring the difference in milliseconds between the original click track and the recording of the original.

[MNAirHead]

I've had some glitches with the new one.. waiting to get the version with bugs removed.

Nothing is really wrong with the software, just a beta release.