User guide

REDUCING MONITORING LATENCY
57
ADJUSTING THE AUDIO I/O BUFFER
A buffer is a small amount of computer memory
used to hold data. For audio interfaces like the
UltraLite-mk3, buffers are used for the process of
transferring audio data in and out of the computer.
The size of the buffers determines how much delay
you hear when monitoring live inputs through
your audio software: larger buffers produce more
delay; smaller buffers produce less.
Buffer size adjustment is made in MOTU Audio
Console, as shown in Figure 9-3 via the Samples Per
Buffer setting.
Figure 9-3: Lowering the ‘Samples Per Buffer’ setting in MOTU Audio
Console reduces patch thru latency. But doing so increases the
processing load on your computer, so keep an eye on the Perfor-
mance Monitor in your host audio software.
2. CueMix FX immediately patches the live
mic signal directly to the main outs (or
other output), completely bypassing the
computer. This signal could be dry, or with
UltraLite-mk3 effects processing, such as
EQ, compression or Classic Reverb.
3. Mic signal is mixed with the
main outs, and you can
control the volume (relative
to the rest of the mix) with
the mic’s fader in CueMix FX.
Figure 9-2: This diagram shows the signal flow when using CueMix FX no-latency monitoring. Notice that this method does not process the
live input with plug-ins in your audio software. Instead, you can apply UltraLite-mk3 effects, such as the reverb, EQ and/or compression.
1. Live input (from mic, guitar, etc.)
enters the MOTU interface.