Using the onboard audio is likely a large part of the problem. I've not come across any (in my very limited experience) that are low-latency.

I'm just guessing, because I have not seen the EWI USB or its Soft Synths, but I would check to see if your RealTek HD Audio device has ASIO drivers available. It's possible they're already available.

If not, you might explore getting a PCI, USB, or FireWire sound card that DOES have ASIO drivers, as they provide, generally, sub-millisecond latency.

Before you go down that path too far, though, you need to ensure the soft synth is capable of even using the ASIO interface to output to the sound card. If not, replacing your hardware won't help.

 

Ok, I got ASIO drivers installed, the EWI program recognizes it, but when I play, nothing is heard. This is indicate that the ASIO drivers don't mesh with the onboard sound hardware?

 

Where did you get Realtek Asio drivers?

 

Onboard soundcards have about 40cents worth of chip in 'em.... you're fighting a losing battle. (And ASIO4All, if that's what you used, is a band-aid, not a cure)

You need a GOOD soundcard that has real ASIO drivers. Here's a good guide and 'you cant go wrong with these' suggestions:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

 

Yeah, the ASIO4All seemed to remedy it...sort of...Awesome, I will have a look at the link, thank you everyone. I will post any results/findings/questions

 

The way to solve the latency problem (well, it works for me anyway) is to download the latest (free) version of ASIO4ALL. Then (and this seems to be crucial) in 'Tools, Preferences' leave the 'output MIDI' box empty (the Aria software apparently detects ASIO automatically). This solved my latency problem. Hope it works for you too!

 

Hi, Aardvark. Read your reply (quoted) very carefully, to no avail. I bought the Akai USB ewi two days ago and now I am desperate. I have tried all possibilities to eliminate the unacceptable latency by tweaking the software (drivers, settings...), but the latency is just too much, it renders this instrument unplayable...for now. I suspect the answer will be to get a separate unit to deal with the midi/analogue conversion before the signal enters the pc, if at all needed. Trouble is, this unit is strictly USB and I imagine you would need a converter with a USB socket. Any ideas before I waste any more money? By the way, I live in London. Tks in advance.

 

Go to www.patchman.com and check out his FAQs. I didn't have any latency problems with my USB using ASIO4all. Later, Ray

 

... The buffer size is as low as it will go (4096). ...

4096 is the lowest latency you can get!!!!!

What program are you using?

That number usually relates to samples (4096 samples, a CD is burned at 44,100 samples for second) so you are talking about 1/10th of a second delay. Believe or not, that is A LOT.

I use Logic. I can set the buffer at the highest (2058 or something like that) down to 32 (which runs really bad. The computer has less that 1/1000th of a second to do it's thing).

I generally run my EWI USB to with a buffer size of 128 or 256. I didn't install ANYTHING. Just plug it in, get a sound patch within Logic and go. It's only a controller. Even my simple midi keyboard controller has a breath support option.

I found the sounds that came with the EWI to be pretty lame compared to even the stock sounds that come with many DAWs these days.

 

Thanks Aardvark. Just got one of these and after a bit of surfing found a link elsewhere for the ASIO4ALL and then your post about leaving the output midi box empty and off I went! I generally reckon anything midi related has not been written by a human, let alone a musician, and you have to be really keen to make any progress! After getting Cubase to work with my daughter's laptop, this seemed fairly mild. There really ought to be some better sounds, though

 

There really ought to be some better sounds, though

Garritan is not good. I use Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition tweaked for EWI control. I set up a controller in Cubase to make breath control volume and then I tie expression to that.

 

There are a number of steps you can take to optimise your system. Too little time now but a search on the web will probably turn up a list. You need to turn off any programs not needed that are running in the background. For a list of these CTRL / ALT / DELETE and bring up the task manager. You may be surprised to see all the stuff you have running in the background....

 

Phew - that Vienna Symphonic Library stuff costs more than the EWI USB itself. There must be a software synth product out there for a much lower cost that sounds good?

 

My buddy just recommended LA Scoring Strings to me cuz they "sound great with the EWI." LOL That ish is $1200! A lot of times you get what you pay for with synths and samples, though.

 

Must have got this already.... I just placed an order and waiting for my EWI USB ... also planning to get a MAC...

http://www.patchmanmusic.com/EWIUSBPCHelp.html

 

I have the ewi usb as well and I use it on a new imac, so there should be no driver issues, yet when I play up tempo things I notice that the note output doesn't keep up with what I'm playing. I guess this is just a small amount of latency. Anyone else getting this problem? This occurs using the aria software, but also using reason. Any ideas on how to fix this? I'm beginning to think that the usb model is just not professional quality and that I should have bought the real thing.

 

It may be the MIDI adapter you're using. Try a different one. I use a cheap $25 one from Guitar Center with no latency issues. Also, check the buffering settings in your host programs. Last, check the response settings on the EWI itself. Beyond that, I have no idea!

 

There is no MIDI adapter for the EWI USB-- it is just MIDI over USB, and is it's own adapter.

 

Oh, ok. Well, it might be the computer, too. Need a fast computer with a decent amount of memory to get crazy with the EWI.