latency - USB v Firewire?

[chas]

I'm almost afraid to post this after the answer somebody got in an earlier post about latency - reversing the doppleflop switches etc - but I'm finally trying to use VST instruments on my laptop and having unfortunate amounts of latency (and clicks/pops distortion with some instruments) so I thought someone might have some ideas on what I can do. I'm on a 2.4 Ghz celeron with 740 Mb RAM, and using a Tascam US 122, latest 3.30 ASIO drivers, and of course I've tried different buffer settings. Not a monster system but it seems like it should perform better than it does. My guess is that the Tascam is the weak link - USB 1.1 isn't the best way to move audio and MIDI around. I've been thinking about stepping up to the M-Audio 1814 anyway (just after I have a little more cash...) and I'm wondering if anybody can tell me if they think I'm on the right track or if I should be thinking about more RAM, P4 instead of Cel, or if it's just a fact of life. Or, if, indeed, there is some kind of fargenstocker setting in Windows that I didn't know about. ???

[PCSF]

For a laptop, the best is Cardbus(PCMIA),
followed by firewire and USB2.0
USB1.1 is the worst.
So if you wanted the best, I would check out the new Emu cardbus
interface, or get a used Echo Layla24
with cardbus adaptor. I think RME
also makes one, too.

[macouno]

pcsf is right... But... then again... your current system should be able to run a nr of vsti plugins no problem.

I use an emagic 2-6 usb (1.1) soundcard myself... and on an old 866mhz PIII ... and I'll tell you latency and vsti's are not issues on my system.

A better soundcard could help but ehr... what software/plugins are you using?

Before doing anything I'd check my IRQ's if I were you... they do a lot of harm when not set up right.