Newbie to PT 5 (Free or otherwise)

[Gary D]

'Been using PT 3.4 for some time with just the software DAE engine (no extra H/W)...great product. Since I've downloaded PT5, I've noticed a few things... The first is that I get noticeable lag/latency when I record my guitar through the Mic inputs. I was able to reduce this by minimizing the DAE buffer size, but it is still noticeable. Any hints on tightening this up? It makes it hard to do multi-tracking of guitars/etc.

My other query is regarding the use of the Midi click. I want to use the Quicktime instruments for my click track, and I think I figured out how to set up OMS 2.3.8 to get some sound, but all I get is a piano... How can I change the click instrument to some sort of percussion sound? Is there a Quicktime Instruments controller somewhere? I'm using QT 4.1 presently. Any help is greatly appreciated...

[Gary D]

Me again... After searching the threads, I'm a little closer on the Quicktime click issue... I guess a more pointed question would be: Does anyone know of a good resource for defining the different instruments for the click? i.e. what notes in the click option = what instrument? Furthermore, does the channel assignment have anything to do with the instrument? upon first experimenting, I got nothing...

Still searching on the lag issue... Thanks for any help in advance folks..

[Gerald-o]

I hope I understand your question, I'm new to PT Free.
I enabled my click by selecting
MIDI>click options>quicktime music>channel-10>ok
I assume you also you configured your apple system software settings according to the quickstart guide. Among other things your your disc cache should be set to a custom setting of 512k.
I'm learning too so forgive my ignorance if these suggestions are points you've already addressed.
good luck
Gerald-o

[Gary D]

Gerald O - Thanks... I did figure out that channel 10 gets you the Quicktime drum kit...and I found some click sounds that I can live with. I haven't tried recording again since I've changed the disc cache... It seems that latency is indeed a hot topic on this forum, but since I'm using the built-in Mac sound system (no PCI cards or breakouts or extenal DSP's) most of the disussion seems irrelevant... I'll keep my fingers crossed... http://www.digidesign.com/ubb/images/icons/wink.gif

[Gerald-o]

Hi Gary D,
Have you made any progress on the latency issue? I have not .
The manual says to go to the Hardware Setup window to decrease the sample/buffer size but "Setups>Hardware" gives me the cpu% (they lied!) there is no buffer setting available.
I can't record guitar overdubs because the delay is too distracting.
Have you found the sample settings popup window?

[Larry M]

Just thought that i would chime in a bit. But do you guys have a function in PT free called "Low Lantency Monitoring"? It would be under the pull down menu for Ops I do belive.

I have PT LE/digi 001 but i did set up PT Free for a fiend and I remember not have a latncey problem.

Larry :-)

[Gary D]

Gerald-O:

I was able to cut down much of the latency by setting the DAE buffer to 0. You do this by selecting DAE in the application switcher (while Pro Tools is running)..go to preferences, and you should be able to set that value. After you restart Pro-tools, you should notice an improvement. If you want to use any plug-ins, etc you need to increase that again. Now, having said that, I am still noticing a small amount of latency which is more an annoyance - but it does not make it impossible to record as it was before. I don't believe the H/W CPU usage affects lag necessarily...and I think that selecting sample sizes on the H/W buffer is a function for Pro-Tools H/W such as the Digi 001, or Audiomedia 3. Since we are using the built-in Mac sound, Pro-tools has no control over that parameter...thus you did not find it. I will try some more tricks today after searching the manual and let you know what I find... I will also look for this "latency monitor" options that Larry M mentioned...thanks guys....

[Gerald-o]

Hi Gary D,
The "0" setting in DAE did not make a noticeable difference. (Thanks anyway.) I can not find a "low-latency monitoring" feature. Sounds like you must pay for that luxury. The monitor latency is still there but the test material I've recorded turns out in sync, it's just monitoring of the live program that is delayed. I can make a submix with my VS-840 to hear the live program material while monitoring the ProTools tracks and this keeps timing in line. It's kind of mickey mouse but it works. I just can't preview any plugins while I'm tracking and recording w/o plugins is kind of joyless.
I hope your experiments have been more fruitful than mine.
Gerald-o

[Gary D]

Well, I've gone back to PT 3.4. I can not deal with the lag on the recording monitor....and I don't think I should have to buy an outboard mixer... I will miss some of those slick new features, but having installed OMS 2.3.8 opened up some features in PT3.4 that I wasn't using before... If PT 5.0 free had a way of letting me monitor the direct input the way 3.4 does it would be great....

[Gerald-o]

Hi Gary D,
This is my 1st experience with ProTools so I am not familiar with 3.4 but a direct monitor for recording is something I would consider basic functionality.
This is like giving away free T-shirts but leaving out the whole at the top for your head! But hey, what are we complaining about, it's free, right!??!!!??!?
Gerald-o