Remote tracking and latency issues

[donalddemon]

I'm starting to record vocals for my band's album at my home studio and need to figure out how to record my vocals in another room. I looked into it and found one option is to share screens between my computers (2021 MBP and 2017 iMac), and use the laptop in the vocal room.

I was able to set it up and give it a quick test and it definitely works, only thing is I'm getting some bad latency and bugs, e.g. cmd + space won't engage recording and reactions are very slow moving. Is there a better, faster way to do this, or settings I'm missing? I'm connected via my wifi, which usually runs fine.

[Darryl Ramm]

I personally would avoid remote desktop stuff.

Avid Control software (free) on a iPad or similar may be enough, with or without Avid Dock.

Third party HUI control surfaces with transport may be enough.

If the rooms are close just run a display and keyboard/mouse cable, Thunderbolt monitors can run long distances on Optical Thunderbolt cables (e.g. from Corning). If I wanted full computer access in the vocal booth I'd do that (but getting away from the stupid computer can be healthy if you are the talent).

You can kick off loop recording and then wander next door, and/or use Wait for MIDI if using a MIDI device, you can use Wait for MIDI to trigger this even if not otherwise using/recording MIDI.

You can use a recording footswitch if your setup has that.

[donalddemon]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

I personally would avoid remote desktop stuff.

Avid Control software (free) on a iPad or similar may be enough, with or without Avid Dock.

Third party HUI control surfaces with transport may be enough.

If the rooms are close just run a display and keyboard/mouse cable, Thunderbolt monitors can run long distances on Optical Thunderbolt cables (e.g. from Corning). If I wanted full computer access in the vocal booth I'd do that (but getting away from the stupid computer can be healthy if you are the talent).

You can kick off loop recording and then wander next door, and/or use Wait for MIDI if using a MIDI device, you can use Wait for MIDI to trigger this even if not otherwise using/recording MIDI.

You can use a recording footswitch if your setup has that.

Avid Control would be ideal but does it show the regions? I don't know if I could record and punch in without seeing the waveforms on screen. The main computer is in the adjacent room but I can't see the screen from the tracking room. I don't need much in the way of viewing options, I wouldn't be editing or mixing from there, just recording my vocal takes, but I do need to see where I'm punching in.

I could try running wires and use my spare monitor/keyboard, that's another option I need to look into. I don't have any footswitches or anything, it's just a very basic setup of Focusrite Clarett into an iMac.

It's too bad the remote viewing is so buggy because I would have been fine with that.

[ubxf]

Have you tried a KVM switch for monitor and keyboard ?

[donalddemon]

Originally Posted by ubxf

Have you tried a KVM switch for monitor and keyboard ?

Never even heard of it but I'll look into it. Does it need to be wired?

[ubxf]

yes it's an extender using cat 5 cable

[donalddemon]

Has anyone tried using Apple Sidecar with an iPad for remote control tracking?

[albee1952]

I had great success with a mini keyboard with built-in trackpad on a 30' USB extension and a 30' HDMI cable feeding another screen. I mounted everything to a rolling stand(from On-Stage) and could run a session from my vocal booth or drum booth.

[Darryl Ramm]

^^ Yes I'd just go with wired solutions over any remote display. No latency. Stuff just works.

A remote KVM (keyboard video mouse) products are available in multiple different types. On modern computers you are more likely to just see video switched over HDMI cables. But with Macs you can just use a remote Thunderbolt display and hang your USB keyboard and mouse off the back of the Thunderbolt display USB-C ports. You don't need to switch anything when doing this.

[donalddemon]

Originally Posted by albee1952

I had great success with a mini keyboard with built-in trackpad on a 30' USB extension and a 30' HDMI cable feeding another screen. I mounted everything to a rolling stand(from On-Stage) and could run a session from my vocal booth or drum booth.

I'd probably need about 50' to rout it to the other room, not sure if that will affect latency. I do have an old monitor screen that might work if I went that route.

I actually have been mirroring my screen on the laptop and using a wireless mouse & keyboard to operate the iMac in the other room. It's not super fast and the screen resolution is not ideal but it will work for now until I work in a wired solution. It's definitely better than sharing the screen.