MIDI latency question

[gjsven]

Hi all,

I've just ordered a new rack-mounted effects unit to replace an old Behringer Virtualizer (which has found a new home in my PA rack ). I use the Behringer FCB1010 midi pedal to switch patches and with the virtualiser I noticed about a 1/2 second signal dropout on patch changes. Irritating as this was, I set my amp's effects blend on about 3/4 wet so there was at least some signal there on patch changes.

However - my next purchase after the new effects unit will be a new amp head! I'm 95% keen on an Eden WT800 - however this amp doesn't have an effects blend control.

So my question - is MIDI latency a factor of the device being switched or the device switching it? If the former I'm happier as the unit I've bought (a Digitech GSP1101) should be about a million times better quality than the Behringer and better designed for live switching, however if the latter then I might have to go buy a new midi pedal or reconsider which amp I buy.

Cheers!

 

[Ramsy]

There's no latency (or at least not a noticable amount) when sending just one signal between two pieces of equipment. I've played synth in bands for years with up to a dozen different MIDI devices and the only time I found latency is when the unit itself has a delay when changing patches. Does the new effects unit take a second to adjust when changing patch by hand instead of the FCB1010?

 

[bongomania]

The time it takes for a MIDI signal to pass from one unit to another and be processed is dependent on three main factors: the processing speed of the master, the processing speed of the slave, and the general speed and bandwidth limitations of the MIDI format.

So changing one unit may help, but then again it may not. And even if it does help, there's no way to predict by how much.

Oh, and Digitech gear is fine but it's generally not a "million times" better than Behringer. I wouldn't expect any improvement in processing speed.

 

[gjsven]

Thanks for the replies folks - I think perhaps 'latency' was the wrong word for me to use. It's more a considerable delay between patches when switched with the MIDI footswitch.

I'm not experiencing any patch change delays when I switch by hand on the Behringer effects unit, just with the FCB1010. The Behringer Virtualizer was really designed more for PA use so I'm hoping the problem is because they just didn't put too much thought into the MIDI part of the product.

I haven't actually got the Digitech yet [and if I was at all patient I'd wait until it arrives next week and just try it ], but being the inquisitive type it'd be interesting to know which part of the chain is causing the trouble.

So I guess the next logical question is: Does anyone else use the FCB1010 to switch an effects unit, and if so do you have any problems with patch change delays?

Cheers

 

[speak_onion]

So I guess the next logical question is: Does anyone else use the FCB1010 to switch an effects unit, and if so do you have any problems with patch change delays?

Cheers

The Virtualizer is the source of your patch-change delay. I have one and it does that. Are you sure you dont' hear the delay when you change by hand? I did. My workaround was to use a CC message to turn the patch bypass the unit and then change the patch and then unbypass it with another CC message. I rarely had to use one effect right after another, so it was workable. I don't use that junk anymore though.

I use an FCB1010 and it doesn't cause any delay between patch changing when I am changing effects patches on my computer.

 

[Ramsy]

I use the FCB1010 to send messages to four different units at the same time. My sampler and and one synth changes patch immediately, Lexicon MX200 takes a fraction of a second and a Nord synth takes a full second. All from the same signal so I'd have to agree that the unit is what is causing the delay.


I've really got to get over this synth nerd compulsion.

 

[gjsven]

Thanks everyone! That's pretty much the news I wanted to hear, ie that it's most likely the device not the pedal!

speak_onion - I actually spent a good part of today transferring my virtualiser into my PA rack and setting it up as a reverb send (and making patch leads to wire it all together!) and on closer inspection there is a delay when changing patches by hand. I first set it up with my bass rig and the FCB1010 about 3 years ago so I guess I'd forgotten or just never noticed it at the time!

Ramsy - Thanks for passing on your knowledge. Your MIDI signal path looks far more complex than mine (synth technology bamboozles me, all those HFOs and LFOs! ), it's was really useful to hear about the differences in 'response time' between the different devices.

Thanks everyone!