Latency Changing During Recording

Hello. My recording sessions have been fraught with changing latency lately. This is happening while recording audio only, and very little plugin activity. Here's the scenario. While recording, for instance a vocal track, I'll hear a click, and all of a sudden, there is latency. I then proceed to stop recording and change the I/O buffer size to one option away from where it originally was, and it will be fine for a little while, and then a click, latency again, I'll change it back, it'll be fine for a while...and so forth and so on. Any ideas? I've been using Logic for years and this has never happened, until now.

 

Here's a possible clue. Shortly before this began happening, my interface (or something) began acting up outside of Logic. Once in a while, I'll be using the MOTU interface to watch a youtube video or listen in iTunes and all of a sudden the sound will become garbled and static-laden until I reset the interface.

 

I'm aware that reinstalling the MOTU software and restoring the device to factory settings may solve the problem, but I wanted to reach out before I did this and see if anyone has had this experience with a similar setup or can steer me in the right direction. I'll look to see if MOTU has an update as well; perhaps since I upgraded to Mavericks recently something ain't lining up proper. I searched for this topic but there doesn't seem to be any accounts of it. Thanks for reading:)

 

Logic Pro 9.1.8

OS X 10.9.4 (recently upgraded to Mavericks)

Mid2010 15"MCP, 2.54 i5, SSD, 8GBram

MOTU Ultralite MK3 Interface

Yep, reinstall the Motu driver or look for an update.

I downloaded the updates, I reinstalled the driver, and it's still happening. It doesn't always happening while recording; during play back the audio will skip a little bit and then when I try recording, latency until I change the buffer.

Make sure Plugin Delay Compensation in Logic's preferences is Off for recording. Or click the Low Latency Button in the transport bar.

Okay, Plugin Delay Compensation was set to "All." I switched it to off. I hadn't seen that since it was on a different page. I do record with the Low Latency Button on. We'll see how it goes this time; thanks triplets:)

Okay, now I'm getting latency on every setting, and the plugins are orange colored (low latency safe off) and they are still being heard in record mode.

Are you using latency-inducing plugins like Adaptive Limiter, Multipressor, Linear Phase EQ, or anything with a lookahead function?

I am using an Adaptive Limiter on the Output. The plugins I'm using on the channel being recorded are Compressor, EQ. Plus sending to a couple buses with reverb. I've always used these same plugins and have never had this issue.

Don't use the Adaptive Limiter when you're recording. It creates latency regardless. Take it off for recording purposes.

I'm still getting the half a second of fragmented audio and changing latency, during playback & recording - with no limiter on.

I would start over and check the preferences.

Set Plug-in Latency Compensation to All and Software Monitoring and Software Monitoring engaged.

Your Adaptive Limiter can be on engaged on the Output as long as you remember to turn Low Latency mode on.

 

Thats's it.

 

Click this link to your signature and add your system information:

• Logic version and sub-version (e.g. Logic 10.0.7)

• OS X version and sub-version (e.g. OS 10.9.4)

• Computer (e.g. MacBook, Mac Pro, iMac)

• Processor (e.g. 2.2 GHz Intel i7)

• Memory (e.g. 8GB)

• Audio interface manufacturer and model (e.g. RME Babyface)

 

(most of that information can be found by choosing Logic Pro X > About Logic Pro X, and  > About This Mac)

Thanks for the correspondence. I went through and double checked all these settings. And it's just happened again, but this time not while recording or playback - only while the track was armed, practicing a vocal through it. No limiter, everything in low latency mode (aux buses colored orange and nothing but a compressor & EQ on the channel strip). Same issue: audio hiccuped and then noticeable latency. Any ideas of what to try next?

That sounds like a driver issue to me.

Choose Preferences > Audio > Devices and turn of Core Audio then Apply. Turn on Core audio again and Apply.

Is it holding up now?

Did that. Same issue.

edited to state: Here's a possible clue. I was just recording in a quantized drum track (audio), and this issue happened in the middle of the recording. Upon playback, I notice the timing is altered after the click and latency change. Meaning, the actually altered the timing of the recording, from where it started. Curious!

You're not recording onto a Flex enabled track, are you?

No. And keep in mind that this is also happening during simple playback, with no track armed for recording. I usually disarm the track for playback because the sound is different when it's armed for record (not sure why - probably a latency mode artifact).

 

I should probably add - for possible hint sake - that sometimes I get a strange windy static sound. When this happens, it's worse when the channel is armed for record. It's louder. Usually I restart my interface to solve it (temporarily). This isn't a constant problem but it does happen and perhaps it can shed light on the final issue.

Where are you saving your projects to?

Sometimes my Mac hard drive, sometimes to a USB-connected external. I save to both for backup.

 

Would checking Independent Monitoring Level for Record Enabled Channel Strips allow me to get through a take without the latency changing in the middle of it?

 

Thanks again for your correspondence.

What are the specs for the USB drive? USB 3, 7200 rpm? If it's USB 2.0 and 5400 rpm you're gonna have speed issues.

Strange issue.

How is the MOTU connected? USB or Firewire?

Have you tried using the built in interface as system audio... Maybe there's something hijacking sync.

Open System Preferences > Audio and change the system output and input to something else than MOTU.

Looks like my MacBook has 2.0 USB.

 

The MOTU is connected via Firewire. Sometimes I use the built in interface as audio, for listening while I cook. I can't record anything that way, though, so I wouldn't know how the latency is, but the audio sounds fine.

 

I did another factory reset on the MOTU yesterday, and so far the issue is happening less, although it has happened a few times, which is way more than I'd like.

 

edited to include, it seems like my interface might be the problem. I was just working in Logic, everything cool, and I closed the project and loaded up another to listen, and I got no sound whatsoever. I tested iTunes to see if it would come through, and the audio was all broken up, stuttering like a golden tremolo effect. Yuck. So I restarted MOTU and now it's fine. I'm still hearing little clip sounds during Logic playback, which has also been happening.

Are you running the macbook on battery when the Motu is connected?

No, AC.

 

More info: this issue occurs when I'm recording condenser mic with 12v, and audio from a synth (different input on the MOTU).

I believe you are running the Ultralight bus powered by firewire. That could be the issue.

Try using the DC power supply to make sure that it gets enough power.

Nope, the MOTU is always connected to the power supply.

More info: this issue occurs when I'm recording condenser mic with 12v, and audio from a synth (different input on the MOTU).

 

Are you recording to the USB drive? Is the drive 5400 rpm?

Hmm...

I'm out of ideas.

 

Is the firmware up to date? I believe the latest is 1.07?

Other than that I would contact MOTU directly and see if they can help you out.

I believe the USB drive is 5400. The system report says it can handle up to 480 Mb/sec. Sometimes I record to it, sometimes to my internal drive. I was just listening to a Logic session - without any record-enabled tracks active - from my internal drive - and it made the same skipping sound that means it changed latency.

 

Eric, which firmware are you referring to?

I'm referring to your interface.

Thank you. I just updated the firmware, after I started this thread. I'm contacting MOTU for support/ideas.