HT201530: Logic: About I/O buffer size and monitoring latency

Learn about Logic: About I/O buffer size and monitoring latency
NTimez

Q: Why would I have latency in Logic X on a 2015 MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt interface?

I have a new MacBook Pro 16GB Retina 15" and a Focusrite Clarett 2 Thunderbolt interface as well as a mic running on phantom power. 

This set-up is an upgrade from a 2008 MacBook Pro rocking 6GB of RAM although I was formerly using 4GB.

My interface has been the original Agogee Duet connected by a Firewire 400.

My hope was to avoid latency forever as well as the need to freeze tracks which wouldn't be necessary on a file at this stage.

I also checked the latency and buffer size in the Logic audio preferences.  I changed the buffer and the latency persists.

I can't believe that my setup for 2008 on Logic 9 is besting this beast of a machine and a Thunderbolt interface.  I also tried the Sternberg U22 which has usb3 and the latency was similar. 

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 17, 2016 1:35 PM

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Q: Why would I have latency in Logic X on a 2015 MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt interface?

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  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Jan 17, 2016 2:01 PM in response to NTimez
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Jan 17, 2016 2:01 PM in response to NTimez

    In Logic's Preferences/Audio  How many Processing Threads do you show available when accessing the drop-down menu, it's usually set to "AUTO". Whatever the maximum number is, choose half that value, close Logic, restart Logic and check your latency again.

     

    Another thing to consider...was your 2008 MBP running El Capitan and Logic-X?

  • by NTimez,

    NTimez NTimez Jan 17, 2016 2:17 PM in response to Pancenter
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 17, 2016 2:17 PM in response to Pancenter

    Thank you for responding.  The 2008 MBP was operating Yosemite and Logic 9.  I tried your trick setting the Processing threads to 4 and the latency remains even after restarting the computer.  The Buffer is at 512 although previous it had been at 128.  The machine was relatively impressive up to this point.  I have worked on other tracks that would have slowed down the 2008 model as far as I suspected.  Thanks for trying. 

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Jan 17, 2016 2:45 PM in response to NTimez
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Jan 17, 2016 2:45 PM in response to NTimez

    Ahhh well, there is a bug in either Logic or the OS causing latency on some machines, the only solution for those that have the problem is to reduce the number of processing threads. Either way, I'm not sure the default "Auto" is the best selection.

     

    A buffer of 512 will cause considerable latency, 128 might work, 64 is better yet.

     

    Funny, my old dual processor G5 w/RME hardware could run the buffer at 32 and do a surprising amount of tracks/effects in Logic 8.

  • by jseq,

    jseq jseq Mar 2, 2016 8:27 AM in response to NTimez
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 2, 2016 8:27 AM in response to NTimez

    Hi there, i´m having the same issue with a Focusrite clarett 8 pre running on a iMac 27" late 2012

    If i click on low latency it works fine.

    Also sometimes the interface disconnects with Logic and i get no sound at all, have to re enable core audio to make it work. Does this happen to you too?

     

    Thanks

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Mar 2, 2016 8:40 AM in response to jseq
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Mar 2, 2016 8:40 AM in response to jseq

    Because it works fine with "Low Latency" selected should give you the answer.

     

    Low Latency Mode checkbox and Limit slider: You need to select the Low Latency Mode checkbox in order to activate Low Latency mode and use the Limit slider. The Limit slider lets you determine a maximum amount of allowable delay that can be caused by plug-ins when Low Latency mode is enabled (by clicking the Low Latency Mode button on the Transport bar). In Low Latency mode, plug-ins are bypassed to ensure that all delays (across the entire signal flow of the current track) remain under the Limit slider value. This is useful when you want to play a software instrument with several latency-inducing plug-ins inserted in the channel.

     

    Working in Low Latency Mode

    Low Latency mode allows you to limit the maximum delay time caused by plug-ins. Plug-ins will be bypassed to ensure that the maximum delay that can occur across the entire signal flow (of the current track) remains under the chosen value. The Low Latency mode is extremely useful when you need to play a software instrument (or to monitor through an audio channel) when plug-ins with high latencies are already in use—at any point in the signal flow for the selected track/channel.

  • by Iaamusic,

    Iaamusic Iaamusic Mar 2, 2016 12:21 PM in response to NTimez
    Level 1 (29 points)
    Mar 2, 2016 12:21 PM in response to NTimez

    HI,

    I use a clarett 8pre on latest logic and mavericks and I have round trip latency of around 3.9 m/s at 64 samples and 48khz - I'm using a iMac i7 3.4ghz - i have had no problems and in fact the clarett will work at 32 samples with no real latency at all. I have the latest driver installed from http://beta.focusrite.com/  this version fixed the fact that I could not see the clarett midi driver - all sorted now.

     

    Are you using anything else on the thunderbolt chain?

     

    Assume you have nothing else running when you use Logic and plenty of disk space?

     

    Ian

  • by moonsali2,

    moonsali2 moonsali2 Aug 3, 2016 5:24 PM in response to Iaamusic
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 3, 2016 5:24 PM in response to Iaamusic

    thanks everyone.  anyone know how to delete a thread on here?

  • by kerochan,

    kerochan kerochan Aug 4, 2016 2:23 AM in response to Pancenter
    Level 1 (68 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 2:23 AM in response to Pancenter

    Pancenter Hi

    Thanks for the info, most useful.

    Is there any reason not to just have the LOW LATENCY MODE on all the time?  

  • by geomjr,

    geomjr geomjr Aug 4, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Pancenter
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Pancenter

    So is this the answer then?  If so where do you go to set your Mac up for this?  I use a Fractal FX II and get latency in GB, LP, and Reaper.

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Aug 4, 2016 10:01 AM in response to kerochan
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 10:01 AM in response to kerochan

    kerochan wrote:

    Pancenter Hi

    Thanks for the info, most useful.

    Is there any reason not to just have the LOW LATENCY MODE on all the time?

     

    Yes!  It will cut out effects that exceed the latency limit so you won't be hearing the mix as intended.


    "The Low Latency mode is extremely useful when you need to play a software instrument (or to monitor through an audio channel) when plug-ins with high latencies are already in use"


    Low-Latency-Mode puts newly recorded material in the correct position when high latency plugins are in use by bypassing said plugins.

     

    If the Logic developers had meant for it to be on all the time, there wouldn't be a switch to enable/disable it. LLMode has a specific function... if there's no Latency causing plugins involved.... it does Nothing!

  • by Pancenter,

    Pancenter Pancenter Aug 4, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Pancenter
    Level 6 (9,998 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Pancenter

    Let me be clear... Low-Latency-Mode does not magically reduce or lower latency, it only affects plugins that cause latency (using look ahead technology) by bypassing them allowing recorded material to be placed correctly in the timeline.

  • by octopi,

    octopi octopi Aug 4, 2016 10:44 AM in response to NTimez
    Level 4 (1,392 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 10:44 AM in response to NTimez

    "I can't believe that my setup for 2008 on Logic 9 is besting this beast of a machine and a Thunderbolt interface"

     

    It's sad but true. My Mac Pro 2008 8 core running 10.6.8 and Logic 9 leaves all of my friends newer rigs standing. Last song I had in had 120 tracks and the CPU hit was barely 50%. Open the same song in Logic X on 10.11.x iMac with thunderbolt storage and interface and SSD internal and it won't even play back.

     

    Sad but true indeed...

  • by geomjr,

    geomjr geomjr Aug 4, 2016 6:03 PM in response to geomjr
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 6:03 PM in response to geomjr

    Unfortunately, this did not resolve the problems I have been experiencing and documenting in this thread:

     

    Delayed Response/Out of sync

  • by kerochan,

    kerochan kerochan Aug 4, 2016 11:47 PM in response to NTimez
    Level 1 (68 points)
    Audio
    Aug 4, 2016 11:47 PM in response to NTimez

    It is unfortunate that you still get latency with such a powerful set up.

    though there will be an answer, as frustrating as it is.

    computers can play tricks on us, and could be one of many reasons, don't let it get you down.

     

     

    I Can imagine how you feel after spending money on the best set up you can, though this kind of situation is not isolated and happens to many people, and many people revert to earlier set ups.

     

    it could be one of many reasons, if you have tried everything thats been suggested on here.

    there could be conflicts with other applications running on your computer, it could be your OS, etc etc, I dont think having  6 or 16gb RAM is gonna make a difference, having Flash storage and a powerful processor will.

     

    You will get this sorted one way or another, cant you go back to using an earlier version of Logic?  does it matter if it doesnt have all the functions of the latest one, getting things stable is the most important.

     

    in the meantime, there is something you can try, try downloading the free copy of REAPER, you can use this for a few weeks free, you dont need to buy it. If you have the same latency problems as Logic, then you will know its something to do with your set up, and not Logic!

    worth a try

     

    2008 is old for a computer trying to run 2016 applications,  but if you can get some version of Logic running with your Focusrite, with an acceptable amount of latency, and all stable, this should be your goal.