Topic by pianoteqlover1

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  • pianoteqlover1
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Topic: iOS latency

I have a Roland FP-30x hooked to an iPhone 13 using a Scarlet 2i4 (2cnd Gen) via a USB hub.  I can set my sampling rate at 192000Hz and 256 samples for a 1.3 ms and for the most part it is stable and sounds phenomenal.  Once while playing with the setting, I was actually able to set it at 192000Hz and 128 samples for a 0.7ms latency but the Pianoteq doesn't usually allow this.  I am considering upgrading the iOS hardware to the iPad Air that was released today with the M2 chip.  Was wondering if any existing iPad Pro users with the M2 chip and an audio interface are stable with a 0.7ms latency.

Reply by Irmin

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Re: iOS latency

pianoteqlover1 wrote:

I have a Roland FP-30x hooked to an iPhone 13 using a Scarlet 2i4 (2cnd Gen) via a USB hub.  I can set my sampling rate at 192000Hz and 256 samples for a 1.3 ms and for the most part it is stable and sounds phenomenal.  Once while playing with the setting, I was actually able to set it at 192000Hz and 128 samples for a 0.7ms latency but the Pianoteq doesn't usually allow this.  I am considering upgrading the iOS hardware to the iPad Air that was released today with the M2 chip.  Was wondering if any existing iPad Pro users with the M2 chip and an audio interface are stable with a 0.7ms latency.

For science :-) Can you feel the difference between say 2.7ms (48khz, 128 sample (my setting) ), 1.3ms and 0.7ms? And can you hear the difference between 48khz and 192khz?

I have an M1 ipad pro and 3'rd gen 2i2. Will see if I can do the 192khz, 128 buffer a bit later and let you know

iPad Results: I can select 192k 128 samples. I get a warning "sub-optimal buffer size". Its works, sounds fine, no crackling etc.

Last edited by Irmin (16-05-2024 08:55)

Reply by pianoteqlover1

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Re: iOS latency

I can feel a slight difference in 5.3ms (48kHz,256 sample) and 1.3ms.  And no difference in sound at 48khz and 192kzh.  To be honest, Pianoteq is very playable at any of these settings.  I am trying to convince myself that is worth spending $900 on new hardware but in this respect it is not.  But there are other reasons related to music that getting the iPad Air 13" would be beneficial.  I won't have to squint so hard to read my music as it is on my old 9.7" iPad.  But my son correctly points out, I should just print the music out on paper!

Reply by pronto

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Re: iOS latency

I can't say about that particular setup, but I use iPad Pro 12.9 M1 with a couple of piano as audio interface (FP-30x, CLP-785), and they work perfectly with 44.1khz and 64 samples. I cannot perceive any more latency compared to onboard sounds, and with 256 note polyphony it works without any glitches, even as a background app.

One small thing to caution you about. If you are getting an iPad because you want to use it for sheet music, you will have to turn on background audio in Pianoteq. However, when you do that, Pianoteq will continue to use a fair bit of CPU even when not connected to your piano - about 50% of the battery overnight. So, you must remember to force it to quit when you are done practicing. I haven't found a way around this.