Windows 7: Ok, this time another newbie question

When I turn on the recorder and play I can hear my guitar as well as record it; problem is the guitar sound from the headphones is delayed so I am hearing the first notes while I am hitting the 2nd and 3rd notes .. Definately a no no! Help.

Normal audio hardware/drivers on windows is not necessarily aimed at being low latency.

But any pro level audio device will be. I'm still using my old Delta44 with about 5ms latency I think. So it doesn't have to be an expensive card, just one actually made for doing audio production as opposed to just playing sounds.

Before going out to guitar center and buying one though, try updating your drivers from the manufaturer of the chipset instead of using the windows default (if that's what you have installed now) and see if that helps.

Yup it is a latency issue, most on board soud cards are awful for recording. They don't handle full duplexing well at all. You can either grab an inexpensive PCI card that supports AISO drivers or go with an external usb or firewire setup. These ar designed to give you no latency and are fully duplexing.

I run an EMU0404 PCI and love it. I think these are discontinued now for the PCIe version though. You also have to keep in mind alot of the new interfaces expect you can hook your speakers via RCA, or on a card like mine need to be done through 1/4 inch via some adaptors. I also have to have a preamp for my inputs. Some of the USB stuff has the preamp built in, but be careful how you connect the speakers or monitors, you may have to buy some cable and adaptors.

I have my outputs going from 1/4 inch to RCA then into my Stereo reciever and it acts like powered monitors.

Geeve

Thank you fseal and geeve420, looks like I will have to do a little homework before I buy a usb device

Anyone know if this would be a good device .. guitar, vocals, harmonica, and whatever.
Long & McQuade - Products - Tascam DP-004 - Digital Portastudio

From the info on the site, it looks like a standalone multi track recorder. So it'l mix down before you can transfer to your PC.

I use a Tascam US1641, it came bundled with Cubase LE4.
Being USB, it does have a latency of about 4-5ms. Its not too noticeable because I'm a guitarist, and my timing is off anyway :P
It is noticeable when using MIDI though, so my drumming is off even more.

If you really want to do PC based recording, I'd definitely recommend using something that supports ASIO.

In terms of finding a good product, you need to decide how and what you want to record now, and in 12 months time.
Tascam and Roland both make a wide range of very good products.

Ok, this is actually a setup problem as most internal audio systems offer direct monitoring. I just tried it with the Realtek internal audio on this system and there is no delay.

First, under Recording Devices/Default Device/Properties whether you're using Mic or Line in... under the "Listen" tab.... you should NOT have "Listen to this device" checked.

That should get rid of the delay... now you have to go find the Direct Monitoring volume control for whatever input you're using.

Open Control Panel, then "Sound" Select "Speakers' and then select the Properties button then select the LEVELS tab.

These levels should let you monitor your guitar directly with out any delay, right off the preamped input and before the A/D converter.

So, sit there, play your guitar while raising the level of the inputs until you find which one controls the direct monitoring.. probably Line-In (Blue) or Mic (Pink).

Adjust to suit.

Ap