MIDI latency with USB-C MacBook 2019

Hi all!

I'm not very happy with the USB-C ports on the new MacBook, as there is serious MIDI latency with my regular USB cables and adaptors. It comes and goes, and I've tried different buffer sizes and eliminating plug-ins to no avail.

My 2012 MacBook never had this problem. Could it be something with my new Apollo Twin interface? Seems more like a USB adaptor issue. I've tried all of the ports on the Mac, but I've seen no difference.

Thanks!

Jon

Could be cables/adapters. Which ones did you get?

The Apollo is Thunderbolt 2, correct?

It's Thunderbolt 2. I'm using an Apple T2 to USB adaptor on the Apollo, and a Hyperdrive USB/HDMI hub to USB-C.

It's Thunderbolt 2. I'm using an Apple T2 to USB adaptor on the Apollo, and a Hyperdrive USB/HDMI hub to USB-C.

 

So when you connect your keyboard/controller to the hub via usb you get latency when you play?

Yes. Almost a 16th note at slower tempos.

What plugins do you have going in that session? Anything on the stereo out track?

definitely check your plugins. i know (for example), that if i have a certain plugin effect on a track, with a certain setup... i get that same sort-of issue (an almost-16th note delay) on notes i play... on any track. it's more likely that then the usb-c ports or adapters.

 

does it happen with no effects plugins? can you see if you can pinpoint a plugin causing this? otherwise... the usual: reset nvram, and the smc for you mac (google for instructions for your specific macbook pro).

I noticed it when I had the adaptive limiter or multiprocessor on, so I took that off, and still there is latency. I just tried a brand new project with no plug-ins and 6 midi tracks (all Classic electric piano) and the latency was better , but still there. Do I need more than 16 GB of RAM?

I did the NVRAM, but I'll try the SMC reset.

Thanks all!

I didn't notice any difference with the SMC reset.

I noticed it when I had the adaptive limiter or multiprocessor on

 

These will create latency even when bypassed, so you have to get rid of them.

Linear Phase EQ is another that creates latency.

 

Did you try Low Latency mode?

I tried low latency mode and took the fancy compressors off.

And?

I noticed it when I had the adaptive limiter or multiprocessor on, so I took that off, and still there is latency. I just tried a brand new project with no plug-ins and 6 midi tracks (all Classic electric piano) and the latency was better , but still there. Do I need more than 16 GB of RAM?

I did the NVRAM, but I'll try the SMC reset.

Thanks all!

 

16gb is fine, something else is happening. did triplets suggestion work? (to completely remove those plugins)?

I tried low latency mode and took the fancy compressors off.

 

And?

If I record with very few plug-ins, it's almost normal. I started a new empty project and added 5 audio tracks (with no plug-ins) and 5 Classic Electric Piano tracks, with the minimal plug-ins that patch comes with. The latency was barely noticeable. But when I added a couple of plug-ins to a MIDI track, it slowed down a bit.

IS there an ideal port on a MacBook 2019 for MIDI and/or audio? Thank you all for your help!

But when I added a couple of plug-ins to a MIDI track

 

Which plugins are we talking about? Logic plugins? 3rd party? Compressors, EQ?

Logic plugins. The last test had no third-party ones. I didn't have these problems with my 2012 MacBook. Still figuring out the Apollo, but I didn't use any of its plug-ins on this test.

I have to ask the simple stupid, but what is your buffer setting, could it have inadvertently been increased?

There are no stupid questions. I’ve tried the buffer size at various numbers, but went down to the lowest per the recommendations. I didn’t notice any difference between the lowest and 256, where I originally was.

256 is high for live performance. Should be 64. If you don’t hear a difference, then there’s a latency inducing plugin somewhere.

...just another "stupid" thought...any plugin on a channel, active or NOT, will induce it's time delay. To be certain about a plugin's effect, it has to be removed...(this dog has bitten me more than once)...hth.../s~

I had it at 64 and the MIDI was still dragging. It's still a mystery to me. Recording audio with plug-ins isn't a problem at all. It's only MIDI latency.

I had it at 64 and the MIDI was still dragging. It's still a mystery to me. Recording audio with plug-ins isn't a problem at all. It's only MIDI latency.

 

I wonder if it's an issue with your controller.

 

Did you try the Logic software keyboard? Press Command-K

I've tried several different controllers, and none of them consistently work well with the USB-C adaptors.

I've tried several different controllers, and none of them consistently work well with the USB-C adaptors.

 

did you try triplets suggestion above? the usb-c adapters should not slow things down; are they 3rd-party adapters? all the same? and, perhaps, time to call apple...

I've tried several different controllers, and none of them consistently work well with the USB-C adaptors.

 

That's not what I asked. Did you try the Logic keyboard? Any latency there?

Sorry for the delay! (no pun intended). I've never used the Logic keyboard and I'm not sure how it works. I can do some research. Thanks!

There doesn't seem to be any delay with the Logic keyboard.

Then there's an issue with the adapters if the Logic keyboard has no latency.

It has to be those. But I've tried different adaptors and taken off effects and the latency is there, but not always at the same delay time. I didn't have this problem with my 2012 MacBook and regular USB. It frustrates me that Apple made their Macs with a new port that doesn't work as well with adaptors and there aren't many devices for USB-C. I'm having to quantize keyboard parts that I wouldn't normally quantize, so I'm losing some of the grease. Thanks for all your help.