M-Audio manual Session KeyStudio 25 User Guide

Session KeyStudio 25 User Guide 29

Problem 7: When I press a key, or attempt to monitor my microphone or instrument input, there is a noticeable delay before I hear any sound.

This phenomenon is known as latency. On certain audio interfaces, latency may be adjusted by changing the buffer size setting in the audio interface’s control panel. Consult your audio interface’s documentation to learn if it is possible to reduce latency on your system.

The goal is to set the buffer size as low as possible without experiencing artifacts in the audio. Faster computers generally allow for smaller buffer size settings, and thus less latency. If there is a large delay between what you play on the keyboard, and what you hear from your virtual instrument in Session, you can try to lower the audio buffer size within Session.

If your audio interface supports ASIO, click Options > Audio Hardware. Make sure the ASIO radio button is selected, then click “ASIO Settings” to open the control panel for your ASIO interface. The control panel features that are available depend on the make and model of your audio interface. Locate the buffer size and/or latency control and lower the buffer size and/or latency time.

If your audio interface does not support ASIO, click Options > Audio Hardware. Select the WDM radio button, then choose a lower value from the “Buffer Size” menu.

M-Audio builds a variety of low latency ASIO- compatible devices that can help resolve latency issues you may be experiencing.

If you are on a budget, the inexpensive M-Audio Micro interface will provide low latency performance at an extraordinarily low price point to help you make better music with Session and other applications.

Some WDM compatible sound cards deliver improved latency when activating the “Use Low Latency Streaming” check box. However, not every audio interface is compatible with this mode.

Problem 8: I am unable to input monitor through Session.

Click the Input Monitor button, enabling the Input Monitor feature. This allows you to play or sing through Session, known as input monitoring. Depending on the proximity of your microphone or guitar to your speakers, and the volume setting of your speakers, there is potential for feedback (a loud, screeching noise). Be sure to turn your speaker volume down before pressing the Input Monitor button. After pressing the Input Monitor button, gradually increase your speaker volume to a safe level.

Optionally, Session can press the Input Monitor button automatically for the selected Track. This option is disabled by default to protect your ears and speakers. To turn this option on, select Auto Input Monitor Selected Audio Track from the Track menu, located at the top of the Session window.

Alternatively, if you are using a professional or semi-professional audio interface, your device may feature “hardware monitoring” allowing an input to be sent directly to the audio outputs. This method bypasses your audio software (and buffers) and allows you to hear the inputs with virtually no latency. Consult your audio interface’s documentation to learn how to use this feature.

Problem 9: I hear a loud screeching sound after creating or selecting an audio track.

If you are using speakers, and your microphone is too close to the speakers, you may experience feedback. To solve this issue,

<Lower your speaker’s volume.

<Disable Auto Input Monitor Selected Audio Track from the Track menu in the Menu bar. If you choose this option, make sure to press this button when you need to monitor through the track.

In general, it is good practice to turn your speakers off while recording, and listen with headphones.