Latency problem (couldn't find the fix on DUC)

[Dr Fred]

I know LATENCY is among the most talked-about issue on this forum. I’ve spent days searching, but still have not found the solution to my problem described below. Any help would be appreciated!

The problem
Newly recorded audio regions are being written with a noticeable latency. Pro Tools is placing the newly recorded audio region in the right spot (i.e., the start point of the new audio region is exactly where I start recording or punched in). There is no latency effect while recording (I use low latency mode). However, during playback, the underlying audio of the newly recorded track is noticeably later than the other previously recorded tracks. This happens whether I record in low latency mode, when all plug-ins on all tracks (including master fader) are bypassed and/or listening through the 002R or C/24 headphone monitors while recording.

My system
- Pro Tools LE 6.4 (002 R)
- Mac PowerPC G4 (dual 1.42 Ghz processors; Mac OSX 10.3.8 Panther)
- Control 24 control surface
- Waves Diamond Bundle 5.0

Recording set up
- Always record in low latency mode
- Monitoring 8-10 pre-recorded tracks while recording
- No internal buses being used
- Using the C/24 Focusrite mic pre’s while recording
- Same latency effect happens regardless of use of outboard effects (e.g., 1176, Vipre pre)
- Same latency effect happens regardless of different H/W buffer size settings (mainly use 1024; 512 or less triggers an ~6086 error, even with all plug-ins bypassed)

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Dr. Fred

[oliarnalds]

sorry if this is a bit obvious - but you say that all plugins on all tracks are bypassed, have you tried inactivating them or removing them?

Does this happen if you just start a clean session and record one track?

[Dr Fred]

Originally Posted by oliarnalds

sorry if this is a bit obvious - but you say that all plugins on all tracks are bypassed, have you tried inactivating them or removing them?

Duh... I should have read your advice more closely before making my last post. Apparently there IS a difference between "bypassing" and "inactivating" a plug-in. (My blond genes are showing through.)

OK, so Control-Command-click inactivates a plug-in and Command-click bypasses a plug-in, si?

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Dr Fred

OK, so Control-Command-click inactivates a plug-in and Command-click bypasses a plug-in, si?

Yep. Insert turns blue when plugin is in bypass and dark gray when inactive.

[Dr Fred]

Problem solved: the latency was caused by plug-ins in the master fader that were bypassed, not inactive. I made them inactive in a test drive tonight and... ta da... no latency (of course, removing the plug-ins altogether solves the problem).

Thanks gain to Top Jimmy and everyone else who enlightened this PT grommet. I'd kiss your feet if you were standing here.

Peace

[Top Jimmy]

Like oliarnalds said. The likely culprit is the plugins on the master fader. Bypassing plugins does not eliminate plugin delay, only making them inactive does. You're playing in time with the late audio and finding your tracks to be late when Pro Tools spots the audio to the right place after the recording pass.

[Dr Fred]

Thx for the feedback guys. I didn't realize a bypassed plug-in can still create latency issues. I'll clear the plug-ins off the master fader tonight for a test drive. Now that I think of it, this latency issue started when I began recording from some templates I created with certain master fader plug-ins I've grown to like. When I first started using PT years ago (w few plug-ins) I never experienced the latency issues I have now.

[dougied]

Originally Posted by Dr Fred

Thx for the feedback guys. I didn't realize a bypassed plug-in can still create latency issues. I'll clear the plug-ins off the master fader tonight for a test drive. Now that I think of it, this latency issue started when I began recording from some templates I created with certain master fader plug-ins I've grown to like. When I first started using PT years ago (w few plug-ins) I never experienced the latency issues I have now.

Yeah it kinda sucks. Your best bet would be to save your settings on your plug ins as a favorite preset and write down what plugs you use and go from there after tracking. But what can we do right?

[Dr Fred]

Thank again, Top Jimmy and oliarnalds! It was plug-ins on the master fader (even when bypassed) causing the latency effect.

On to the next problem...

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Dr Fred

Thank again, Top Jimmy and oliarnalds! It was plug-ins on the master fader (even when bypassed) causing the latency effect.

On to the next problem...

You know, you can track with those plugins active if you want. You just have to add a manual compensation step to your workflow and life can move forward. Switch the mixer displays to view plugin delay. If the master fader has 2048 samples of delay on it, then shift the newly recorded track 2048 samples earlier and it will line up.