Using outboard gear with SX2

therecordingart · New Member Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

I bought SX2 about a year ago, and I can't afford the upgrade to SX3. I just got an iMac G5 and some outboard gear (that's why I can't afford the upgrade) and I'd like to use the outboard gear with SX2. So far I'm digging the switch from PC.

Here is my question.....is there a latency compensation for using outboard gear with SX2? Also, I never worried about latency before when tracking bands (recording vocals and guitars over pre-recorded drum tracks)... is there a latency compensation for that? What I mean is....when listening back to the recorded drums and recording guitar along with it....won't there be a delay slight delay between the recorded guitar tracks and recorded drums?

I haven't noticed anything too crazy, but I'm now thinking that the lack of a "tight" sounding mix is due to this....especially when doubling guitars I've noticed it sounds a little wierd (even recording some really top notch guitarists).

How do I fix this?

PookyNR · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

It all really depends on what interface you are using and how you are monitoring your signal. Using the Metric Halo 2882+DSP I was easily able to use outbaord gear with SX 2.

What interface are you using? How are you monitoring (direct through interface or through Cubase)?
_________________
Nathan, HV Studio
Cubase 5.5.1, OS 10.5.8

therecordingart · New Member Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

I'm using an FW-1884 and monitoring Cubase and the active inputs through that.

PookyNR · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

If you are able to directly monitory your input signal through the FW-1884 (assuming the device has sub 2ms latency within itself) and monitor a mix with the Cubase output, there should not be a problem.

Sometimes, however, if the driver is not properly reporting the device latency to Cubase correctly, the delay compessation will not be correct and will need to be adjusted in the record offset dialog.

What I would suggest is to test your system and find out:
1) if there is a delay and how much
2) if it is a consistent delay

I would suggest testing this by taking a snare track and sending it to an output. I suggest a snare or something with a fast rise time so it is easy to line up samples and count the discrepency. Then physically patch the output of that track into a new input. Record it 5 or 10 times. Check for delay and if it's consistent.

Next run the same test, but send the snare to multiple outputs and multiple inputs. See if it is still the same delay and if it is still consistent.

Once you know if there is a consistnet delay, then compensating for it will be no problem.
_________________
Nathan, HV Studio
Cubase 5.5.1, OS 10.5.8