Doing the Math For DP4--Question

[al carmichael]

I recently purchased the Project Pak, just to get started using the UAD 1 plugs--which are awesome, by the way.

My confustion stems from Digital Performer 4.12 latency issues (I PRAY that delay compensation is implemented in the next release). Here's my question. Let's assume that I have one audio track with no UAD plug ins, one with 1 AUD plug and another with 2 UAD plug ins. I want all three to be in sync with each other. Do I have to set up three separate busses to correct the timing? It seems that each new plug in adds more latency, so the track with 2 plugs is later than the other two. How to I keep this all sample accurate?

OK. Now, how do I keep my midi tracks in sync with all this? The manual states that I can't use track advance with MAS. Shifting by ear and trial and error seems awfully archaic.

I know the ideal fix is in the hands of MOTU to get delay compensation into their program. Logic and Cubase/Nuendo are already there. In this day and age of virtual drums, synths and cards like TC and UAD-1, there is really no excuse for them to wait any longer. I love and live DP4, but it seems like I'm spending a lot of thought and time trying to figure out workarounds to get past the latency issues. Its no fun and counterproductive.

Ah, but, meanwhile I need a fix or some understanding to at least operate from where I am. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dcorwin]

Well I feed my MIDI sounds back to DP (GigaStudio, Battery, SPD20, Handsonic , ddrums and BFD, all software running on a seperate PC). Then I put a delay compensator on the returning signal, so I don't think you really need to delay the MIDI data persay, just the sound the gets produced.

 

[giles117]

Now that is the best advice I have heard for that.

What audio card do you have.?

 

[dcorwin]

I have a MOTU 2408MKIII , the 24IO on the main DAW Mac, and an RME9652 Hammerfall DSP on the dedicated synth/sampler PC. It's a pretty painless process to work with the compensation. Route a couple things, slap on a couple compensators here and there and I'm set. I have a UAD and the Powercore and they work well together btw.

 

[al carmichael]

Those are some resourceful solutions!

Well, I finally figured out that by running a couple of different auxes with different amounts of delay comp settings, I can get around this issue pretty easily, thanks to an article in an old Webzine. It just took some getting used to and taming my dislexia with the idea of negative numbers, LOL!

Thanks everyone!

 

[giles117]

Yep. you got it al. And I was actually asking al what he had.

I use my system with outboard verbs n stuff as well. PCI-424 card and a 2408mkIII.

 

[al carmichael]

Thanks Giles. Let's see, my system is a Mac Dual 800 running DP 4.12. I have a Motu 2408 mkII and one UAD-1 card. I could use external verbs but the latency of the 2408 prevents me from auditioning the verb in real time. There must be a whiz bang way around that but I haven't thought it through yet.

 

[dcorwin]

Heh heh, I thought that was Al asking me what I had, guess I should look at the name of the poster in the future. :lol:

 

[demonsp]

Hey kids!!

We're all DP4 users, huh?

Am I the only one experiencing frequent crashes??

I have a suggestion for you all, e-mail MOTU and ask for latency compensation. Unlimited sends from chanel would be great too.

This program rocks hard it just needs more fine tuning, c'mon MOTU!!

I've heard DP4.5 is coming. (from a developer)
Not sure when though.

CHeerS!

 

[al carmichael]

I DID E-mail MOTU asking for delay compensation. They said they have had \"several\" requests and are considering it in a future release. As for crashes, for me, the best medicine has been: save, save save. All the time--even after each action if you can get in the habit. Even MOTU suggests this in the manual, and it keeps my sessions running as long as I keep saving as I go.

DP 4.5? Are they skipping 4.2, 4.3, 4.316, etc?

Anyway, delay comp would make life simpler--much simpler for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I do NOT want to bail on this program, believe me. Me and DP have done a lot of great stuff and I'd like to keep it that way if possible.

Oh yeah--as far as the hardware reverb thing. I have it working. It does requiere printing the verb and sliding it in time to get it in sync, but thats easy enough to do.

 

[giles117]

The solution to using outboard verbs with DP4 is to upgrade your card to the 424 card that way you have the DSP at your siposal and when you are happy you can \"print\" the reverb as an audio Track.

Me personally, I am setting aside funds to buy an 828mkII so I can use their Cue Mix bounce Back feature which prints a 2 track of what the interface sees on it's output.

As far as crashes I get the occassional crash but since I am in OS x I dont even care. I save a LOT and when she does act up she relaunces in seconds. Instead of the old system reboot I had to do with OS 9. That I hated.

 

[demonsp]

Al: Yes, they're skipping all the way to 4.5. -)

Giles: I know what you're saying, DP4 rocks like there's no tomorrow and no system reboot after crashes is a dream come true....BUT, no crashes at all ARE possible and a few improvements will make DP the best DAW available.
IMHO it is the best DAW available, but when considering how stable programs such as Reason are, I'd like to encourage this same level of efficiency.

Thanks..