When I record the drums using metronome I have the following time shift off the grid:
why is that?
I use NI Maschine MK3 as an input MIDI device.
After enabling
Studio Setup → MIDI Port Setup:
Use System Timestamp for ‘Windows MIDI’
then it recorded correctly by listening to the metronome.
BUT when recorded by listening to the Superior Drumer (SD) VST Kick, then it was again OFF the grid .
After disabling delay compensation
it recorded correctly my new midi signals by listening to the SD Kick.
when I record DRY guitar signal from my DI box, I have it ON the Grid, but my second track with WET signal, that records processed signal from the VST plugin, it is OFF the grid.
Delay compensation is on:
If it is OFF then its not possible to play guitar via VST, latency and time shift is too high.
Maybe because I route my VST to a group track and then record it inside other tracks (like a loop back). Instead of using RME’s loopback adapter, I route signal in Cubase via Group track
So after those experiements I have conclusion that I need to
For Audio:
- Enable Delay Compensation while playing the guitar via VST
- Shift left my WET recorded audio track to the Grid
For MIDI:
- Set Use System Timestamp for ‘Windows MIDI’
- Disable Delay compensation
How do I remember all that?
Why is that not a default setting? Can I make that default?
How do you normally do that?
How do I know about those things?
I bought a drum machine this year, it’s really annoying. I’m probably going to get a sample accurate midi clock.
I think it depends on your system and what you are trying to do. I find this helps:
-
Turn off “midi follows project position,” otherwise when it loops over things get out of control.
-
Use real midi cables through MOTU, not USB.
-
Small sample rate on interface like 64 if possible.
-
Set up as external instrument and use the delay compensation in instrument control.
Or Direct monitoring if possible then shift audio as necessary with track timing.
Why are you recording the wet signal at the same time? Maybe try feed it through the same chain after it’s recorded?
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your findings.
Why do I record wet ”processed” signal, because it is the sound of electrical guitar distortion, that I hear and want to immediately record.
I record it for my demos , if I record only clean and add vst plugin on each guitar track, then it will take too many CPU resources.
Think about it, just one moment.
Processing takes time. Recording unprocessed and processed signal at the same time will always lead to latency issues. If the interface would compensate the latency, your input monitoring will be delayed.
The goal for the DAW is, to record the unprocessed signal with the best precision available, while maintaining a low latency monitoring signal.
After thinking about it and reading more, I’ve realized that the better approach is to use standalone plugins for guitar or piano when I need the lowest possible latency. This way, I can run those standalone instruments with a very small buffer and play without delay, while Cubase can stay on a much larger buffer just to keep the project stable and prevent any audio crackling.
What I mean is that you could try listen to it wet if that’s what you prefer, but if your dry signal is in time and the wet is not, just re-print the wet signal (send dry into the same group) afterward with the same chain.