Latency in GarageBand

[fullcircle]

Hi all,
I have been using GarageBand for a while and recently switched from a Line 6 interface (like the cheapest one they make) to an ART Project Series w/ USB. This is a definite improvement, as the bass sounds more real. It also feels better when I'm playing but I am wondering in there is a way to reduce latency that I haven't discovered yet. There is still a bit of latency and it affects the flow of things, if you know what I mean. I know how to go into GarageBand preferences to adjust for live instruments to get the least amount there, but is there a way to do this in the MacBook's operating system preferences, or elsewhere in the Mac? Any other helpful suggestions?
Apologies if there is a thread on this elsewhere..


Thanks.

 

[stranger0]

hmm try rebooting your mac, sounds funny, it works, esp when its only 2 gig of memory like i had

 

[Dogbertday]

i've heard using firewire instead of USB helps this a lot. I use USB and i'm deffinately not a serious recorder, but if i was looking to upgrade i'd deffinately investigate a firewire interface

 

[Alcyon]

firewire definitely helps, so does quitting all other applications and getting off talkbass while recording... other than that, garageband sometimes develops odd latency and deleting the track and making a new one sometimes fixes it. it can be very finicky at times.

 

[stranger0]

yea, Firewire is better than USB

 

[stflbn]

However... Leopard Firewire drivers have some SERIOUS missgivings that are being sorted out. Apple kind of dropped the ball on it and seem to be expecting the vendors to rush develop drivers if there are problems. For products that were designed to use apple's driver.

So, just a warning... there are potential issues out there. Mine have only been some random weird dropouts of firewire service that can be kicked back into service by deleting existing firewire and audio preferences and such and rebooting.

Firewire audio products are vastly better then the USB ones though from my experience.

 

[fullcircle]

Some good advice. I may try a Firewire device(recommendations appreciated), but for now am going to stick w/ usb. I was wondering mainly if there are any settings in the Mac (in prefs or elsewhere) that can reduce latency. Anyone?. The advice on quitting other applications sounds good and I agree that GarageBand can be finicky.