Subject:My first midi controller.... 2 problems with ACID

Posted by: garybeck

Date:3/29/2016 12:58:21 AM

Hello, I've been using ACID for a while now, but only with audio tracks. I've done a tiny bit with MIDI but only with the built-in piano roll... no real midi input device.

i bought a cheap midi controller that has good reviews on amazon.

ACID recognizes the device, and on a brand new midi track it will play a piano sound.

However if I change the output to one of the soft synths that I have installed, it plays silent. I can see the meters going but there is no sound.

If I change the output back to the MS Wavetable synth, it plays the piano again.

Can someone please advise me on how to get it to play the sound when another software synth is enabled? THANKS

There is one other thing. There is a significant delay between when i hit a key and when i actually hear it out the computer speaker. Is there a way I can improve this? If not, how am I going to stay in sync with the metronome and the other recordings on the song?

Thank you for help with either problem!

gary in vermont

Subject:RE: My first midi controller.... 2 problems with ACID

Reply by: pwppch

Date:3/29/2016 8:38:58 AM

Hi Gary,

Second problem first:

The problem you are experiancing is latency caused by your audio device. For a "real-time" feel, you need to lower the buffer size used by your audio device.

The best solution for this is to use a audio device that supports ASIO drivers. ASIO is a driver model that permits very low latency buffer settings. Typically a buffer size of 256-512 is usable, but the lower you can go the better the real-time feel will be.

What type of audio device are you using? (Your system specs are not filled out and/or exposed in your profile.)

If you device has ASIO drivers available install them if you have not. Then select the device in ACID's properties Audio tab.

If your device does not have ASIO drivers, you should consider purchasing such a device. There are many - and the forum users can make some recommendations. It depends on your needs.

The other alternative is to download ASIO4All. This is a generic driver that can provide lower latency with many audio devices that do not provide native ASIO drivers. YMMV as to how ASIO4All will work with your particular system, but in general it should improve on the problem.

The final alternative is to adjust the buffer size ACID uses for non-ASIO devices. In Properties | Audio, there is a buffer setting you can adjust. Try lowering it. Caution though: Setting it too low can cause audio to break up as the hardware /system may not be able to keep up.

You might also want to try using the DirectSound Surround mapper as an output device. This device can sometimes permit lower buffer settings that the MS Mapper or Wave Classic driver support in ACID.

First Problem:
What is the soft synth that you are trying to use?

Every VSTi is different in how it connects and listens to MIDI. Make sure that it has a voice loaded on the MIDI channel that ACID is sending on. There are lots of moving parts here, so the more information you can provide, the easier I can help with the problem.

Peter

Subject:RE: My first midi controller.... 2 problems with ACID

Reply by: garybeck

Date:3/29/2016 10:46:10 AM

Hello and thank you for the reply!

To answer your qeustion about my system, I am using an external USB device for audio. It is a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.

I discovered something this morning that resolved most of my problems. When there is no sound coming out because I switched to a soft synth, there actually IS sound coming out of the headphone jack in the Focusrite. It just stops coming out of the computer speakers. I guess this is acceptable because when I'm recording I don't need to hear it out of the speakers. But is there an explanation as to why the midi controller plays out the computer speakers when I first create a new midi track and it is playing a generic piano sound with he MS Midi Mapper, but as soon as I switch to a soft synth for output the computer speakers go silent?

Also, when I listen through the heaphones plugged into the Focusrite, the latency on the midi controller is much better. I don't understand how/why but that's OK for now!

So I think I'm OK for now but I am wondering about those other midi outputs you mentioned, the DirectSound. I do not have that as option. Should I? where do I get it?

thanks again

Subject:RE: My first midi controller.... 2 problems with ACID

Reply by: garybeck

Date:3/30/2016 11:34:25 PM

"The best solution for this is to use a audio device that supports ASIO drivers. ASIO is a driver model that permits very low latency buffer settings. Typically a buffer size of 256-512 is usable, but the lower you can go the better the real-time feel will be."

I have the ASIO driver working but where is this buffer setting? Is it in ACID? I looked all over the preferences and all I can find is track buffering (in seconds) and latency offset. where is the 256-512 setting you describe?

thank you

Subject:RE: My first midi controller.... 2 problems with ACID

Reply by: pwppch

Date:4/1/2016 3:25:20 PM

I have the ASIO driver working but where is this buffer setting? Is it in ACID?

The driver provides a configuration tool for this. It can be accessed in ACID'd Audio setup preferences by selecting the configure.

- From the Options menu, choose Preferences.

- If the ASIO device is not active, in the Audio Device tab, select the ASIO device you want to use. Click Apply to make it active

-Ont the Audio Device tab and click the Advanced button. The Advanced Audio Configuration dialog is displayed.

- Select the ASIO driver tab and click the Configure button to display the configuration applet from your hardware manufacturer.

Peter