Modartt user forum - What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (dklein) — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 03:14:09 +0000

I have used the Steinberg UR 22 mk. ii for over a year and have been very pleased. No issues.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (hag01) — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 21:54:20 +0000

EvilDragon wrote:

Should be better, yeah.

Great!
So I think I will go on the Steinberg UR22mkII.
It's even lower price than the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 09:10:38 +0000

Should be better, yeah.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (hag01) — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 03:25:50 +0000

What about Steinberg UR22mkII?

Is it better or worse than Focusrite Scarlett 2i4?

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (mfiadeiro) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:30:20 +0000

Hello hag01,

If you only need to play for yourself with some headphones, your hardware should be ok. Have you tried a audio wrapper like ASIO4ALL?

At 48kHz with 128 samples should work just fine. In my case and since Pianoteq needs some processing power, I had to create a power profile with cpu always at 100% of available speed (i.e., at nominal processor speed).

If you need to save audio files or to post process them, then yes, an external sound card is the best solution.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (Luc Henrion) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:12:55 +0000

+1 for an soundcard WITH a true MIDI connection. Some audio interfaces, even expensive ones, don't like to share their USB connection. Like my MOTU 896 Hybrid MKIII.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:08:31 +0000

Should be better than what you currently have, but I would suggest to look at something that has proper MIDI ports to connect your MIDI controler, like 2i4.

If money is no object, I will always recommend RME - Babyface or Babyface Pro would be perfect. Best ASIO drivers, period.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (hag01) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:36:13 +0000

EvilDragon wrote:

Yep, that's not a soundcard you should be using for professional audio purposes.

OK, I started searching a professional soundcard for the use of Pianoteq.

What soundcard would you recommend?

What do you think about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for this purpose?

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 08:33:10 +0000

Yep, that's not a soundcard you should be using for professional audio purposes.

Re: What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (Luc Henrion) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 08:26:20 +0000

Your CPU is certainly up to the task: mine is way slower and runs Pianoteq on 24 bit resolution, without any problem, but I can live with more latency. Did you try a bigger buffer size?

What is limiting me - CPU or soundcard?

null@example.com (hag01) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 04:42:17 +0000

CPU - i5-4440
Soundcard - Asus STRIX RAID DLX PCI-E

If I'm setting my soundcard ASIO driver to 24 bit Pianoteq doesn't work well, I can only use 16bit definition.

So now the best definition I can set for pianoteq is:
Bit-Depth: 16bit
Buffer size: 64 samples(1.3 ms)
Sample rate: 48000 Hz

What upgrade do I need for higher definitions, better CPU or better sound card? both?