Midi Latency and Buffer size of I/O

[BouncyJones]

Hi,

I was wondering if the buffer size affects the timing of midi notes recorded through a keyboard or if Logic automatically compensates for this after the fact?

For example, if the buffer size is greater (and thus the latency is larger I believe) then will this be recognised by Logic after the notes are recorded in? If not, is there an equation to relate buffer size to latency in milliseconds? (ie – 256 equals 4ms, 512 equals 8ms or whatever)

Thanks,

Jon

[David Nahmani]

I/O Buffer is an audio buffer. It has nothing to do with MIDI. As such it does not affect the timing of the MIDI notes, but it does affect the latency you get from playing a software instrument. The MIDI note is recorded at the time you play it (or thereabout, depending on the MIDI latency of your system), but the time it takes for you to hear the note depends on the size of your I/O buffer.

[BouncyJones]

Thank you for that excellent quick answer.

 

I'm reading threads as we speak on loopback tests and other things. Is there a simple way of calculating midi latency?

[David Nahmani]

MIDI latency? Or MIDI controlled Software Instrument audio latency?

[BouncyJones]

The timing of when the midi note is recorded (not the software instrument output, which I believe on playback is compensated for within Logic)

[David Nahmani]

The timing of when the midi note is recorded (not the software instrument output, which I believe on playback is compensated for within Logic)

You might not be able to calculate that without certain measurement tools. To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. You're overthinking minute delays when there are much bigger delays everywhere around your system anyway.

 

I would just play music and not think about it. That's what most successful producers and musicians do. Trust me, even Herbie Hancock did not measure the MIDI latency of his keyboard.

[BouncyJones]

Ok,

thanks for that recommendation.

This is an awesome site and a fantastic resource of different material and questions.

Jon