I was talking with some people on facebook about gig pro and I mentioned that I prefer having all my patches on my roland fantom instead of Gig Performer because of the latency problem. I was asked to bring the topic up here. I use Vital as a vst and I get a slight latency. I was told maybe something was configured wrong. curious what could be configured wrong. The latency is low enough that I can use Gig performer by itself. It it’s ok but when layering gig performer patches with my keyboard patches, you can hear the latency difference between the two. I use a Dell laptop computer. I used to use my personal computer, but then bought a separate laptop ONLY for music and I get the same latency on both computers. I figured this is normal, but was told there should be ZERO latency.
Please post a screenshot of Audio Options in Gig Performer.
I didn’t tell you there should be zero latency - I said there should be negligible latency.
There is no such thing as zero latency.
Please provide the folllowing:
a) How are you connecting your external keyboard to Gig Performer for MIDI control?
b) How are you connecting your external keyboard for audio processing? For example, are you using a separate audio interface or does the external keyboard have an audio interface? If the former, how are you connecting your external keyboard into the audio interface? If the latter, did you have to install a driver on your computer?
c) Are you using the external keyboard as your sole controller or do you have other controllers that you’re also using?
d) What audio interface are you using? What is your sample rate and sample buffer size?
Thought: If you are okay with the (slight) latency using GP by itself, you should probably just run the audio from your keyboard into your computer (and then out) and that might ensure they line up right. (Other benefits too, like most control with routing and splits, use of GP effects, etc.)
actually, I’m gonna do better: I can sample any patches I want from my vst’s and make identical patches right on my keyboard and then play my keyboard with zero latency. That’s what I’ve been doing. The Roland Fantom is exceptional for doing this. Just taking time as I was using a setup with my GP and another keyboard before upgrading. I still use GP for a few effects and visuals of how my keyboard is split and layered.
ah..ok. What is negligible latency? Will I always hear the difference between the keyboard and GP? If so, then I’ve probably got it set up correctly.
Please – can you respond to the questions we asked you so that we can try to actually answer the question/solve the issue based on having real information?
Humans generally can’t hear the impact of latency below a few milliseconds. But without your answering the questions, we can’t determine if there’s a simple configuration issue or something more fundamental going on.
It’s all about the buffer size for me. I have it down to 64. I play guitar and have far more latency between my left hand and right hand - haha.
Yes, buffer size and sample rate have a significant impact of course. But the drivers also make a difference and the audio interface itself can add unwanted latency which is why Gig Performer includes a tool to measure the actual latency of an audio interface
The most efficient flow would be that we all wait for answers from @Jerrybigd
So:
I am using 192 Samples buffer size for any RME UFX II.
That results in an latency of about 4ms.
And to be honest, even when I know there is a latency, I cannot feel it even when I play percussive sounds.
And compared to a real monitor on stage:
When you monitor is 1m away then the latency is near 3ms
When you use in ear monitor (even with latency introduced by the soundcard) you can have less delay using sample buffer size of 128 samples.
Some day a professional touring musician (he has played drums for Howard Jones) said to me, all under 5ms is OK.
a. My keyboard is connected to my laptop through the usb port.
b. as for audio on my keyboard, not sure what you are asking but I’m just using the headphones out and using the audio from my keyboard
c. My keyboard is the sole controller. Just my keyboard and my laptop. the midi is connected via usb.
d.audio device type from gig performer is windows audio. sample rate is 44100 buffer is set to 441 (I’ve changed this to many different buffers in the past and it didn’t seem to make any difference)
In my experience, Windows audio adds a lot of latency. ASIO performance much better. But that said, the proof is in eating the pudding, so you should measure the round trip latency with the GP-inbuilt measuring tool.
You must use ASIO.
Set the buffer to 128.
Then where is your audio from Gig Performer coming out?
That won’t work - you need to use a decent ASIO driver. And just as importantly, you need to use a decent external audio interface. The built-in audio in a Windows laptop will absolutely NOT give you decent results (neither in low latency nor in sound quality)
Get yourself a decent external audio interface (if you tell us your budget, people here can guide you) and route your external audio into the audio interface so that it gets processed along with plugins.
Probably because Windows Audio can’t handle low latency. When you use a decent external audio interface, set your buffer size to 128 and I think you’ll find your problem is solved.
Do you use an audio interface? I think that may be necessary to get what you need from GP.
I use an inexpensive one (with limited inputs/outputs, etc.):
OK…well I have everything running through my usb because its just one wire setup. all the audio comes out of my keyboard to the main mix for our band so only one cable is needed for that. I think I tried using ASIO and I couldn’t get it to work with my system. After multiple hours trying to set up my rig, I finally got it to work consistently the way it is set up now. Maybe in the future I’ll screw around with it some more but it’s faster for me to just transfer all my patches to my keyboard.
Well guys, I decided to just quick try some new settings on my GP and I think I got rid of the latency. I went into audio settings and switched the audio setting to ASIO. Before when I tried this, it didn’t work but that was because I was still just using audio out of my headphone jacks. I wasn’t using USB. Now, that I’m using USB to connect everything from computer to My keyboard, there is a setting for Fantom 6,7,8 for the audio setting when I set to ASIO. Went to try my vst, layered with my keyboard and VWHALA!! Can’t feel or hear any latency!! 
Thank you all for you help on this.
I guess you were not using the Fantom’s audio interface. Now you are (using the ASIO drivers).
Glad you got it sorted out.
Jeff