TOPIC:

Hello,

I consider to use Dirac for studio use where I need low latency for realtime usage. I have researched a bit, but I'm still not sure if that is the final answer:

I read in the FAQ at miniDSP that with the ddrc-88 the latency for Dirac is 13ms, an with the DDRC 22 it 23ms. That's unfortunately still to high.

So my question is: Is there a way to get in the ~5ms latency range with Dirac? Maybe with a special low latency setting or a more powerfull DSP? Is it maybe possible with just the Dirac software on a PC?

ps: I only need stereo, no surround.

Not an official answer, but I don't think you can change/reduce the delay. You could try the PC software out and let us know what you find out?.

I tried it and it seems rather high, much much higher than the 13ms (I messured over 100ms for the software) from the ddrc.88. But I couldn't get the ASIO mode working, maybe this one would be a bit faster.

@ Roly

Unfortunately, we don't have a way to lower that latency. Put it this way, for a filter to do some "meaningful" work at treating the room, it needs to get some latency in (i..e FIR samples). The less the latency, the less work/modification to the room it can do.

Maybe look at IIR only filters? These are very low latency (e.g. 1.5ms on a miniDSP 2x4 or something like a nanoDIGI). Maybe what you need here?

DevTeam

Hi roly. Both PC CPU chips & DSP chips publish performance specifications in FLOP's (Floating Point Operations Per Second). Last time I visited this issue a year or so go a PC CPU performed about twice as many FLOP's as a fairly high-end DSP.

That said, the PC has a lot more stuff to take care of other than processing your audio, like running the operating system, so it is possible that the PC would have greater latency. I can see couple go things to try to mitigate this:

(1) It is possible to disable much of the standard functionality of the PC's operating system with the goal being only running the functionality you need. Be careful here; you wouldn't want to disable being to login to the PC. Some of the forums on various music player sites even have scripts you can install to disable PC O/S functionality.

(2) Most versions of Dirac allow you to limit the range of frequencies that Dirac corrects. I am wondering if by limiting the amount of work that Dirac performs, you will get less latency. Many users of Dirac only correct the lower frequencies where all the huge swings in response from standing waves are.

(3) Dirac performs functions that can be accomplished via other methods (baffle step/mutli-driver timing alignment, etc). Performing these types of corrections outside of Dirac could also result in less latency.

how did you go with this?  Im looking at doing something similar.  analog desk to mini dsp in home studio.