n-Track Frequently Asked Questions

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10. Live input processing, using the program as a multi-effect processor

• How can I get rid of the latency or delay in my Live input and MIDI software instruments?
  
  For low latency audio you should use Asio, WDM or CoreAudio (Mac) audio drivers.
  
  Windows: for low latency work you should use an Asio (if available for your audio device) or WDM/WaveRT audio driver and select a low buffering setting. If Asio is not available for your audio device you can try Asio4all.
  You can select which audio driver to use in the box that appears selecting the File -> Settings -> Preferences -> Audio devices box.
  By default on Windows n-Track uses MME audio drivers, which can't be used for low latency (but are available on all PCs).
  Mac: CoreAudio drivers are the only audio driver kind available on Mac and they offer very low latency as well as multichannel and 24/32 bit audio.
  
  When using Asio drivers you can set the audio buffering in the Asio control panel: select the Settings -> Soundcard settings -> Recording format menu, then click on Asio control panel. When using WDM/WaveRT, CoreAudio or MME drivers you can decrease the latency lowering the buffering in the File -> Settings -> Buffering dialog box. You can find more info in the Using the program/Realtime effects/Live input processing n-Track's online help topic.
  
  Note that you don't need to use Live input processing if you only need to monitor the signal you're recording. The soundcard's internal hardware mixer can monitor the signal being recorded without any delay. Make sure that the correct monitoring sources and levels are configured in the Windows Volume Control (Windows XP) or Control Panel/Hardware and sound/Manage Audio Devices (Windows Vista/7/8/10). You can find info on how to set recording sources and levels in the "Getting started/Setting the recording levels" online help topic.
  On Mac you can configure audio settings and levels in the Audio MIDI Setup built-in app.
  
  
• How can I play an electric guitar through the n-Track effects systems without recording the sound?
  
  The program can process the incoming in realtime when the "live input processing" mode is enabled. This mode is enabled when the "Live" button on the toolbar is pressed. When in live-input processing mode you will see the signal coming from your guitar in the vu-meter and you will be able to hear it from the output of the soundcard.
  If this is not happening, open the Windows Volume Control (Windows XP) or Control Panel/Hardware and sound/Manage Audio Devices (Windows 7 and later) and make sure that the correct recording source is selected (mic or line input), that the signal level is correct and the same thing for the output of the soundcard.
  As for the cable connections, you may use the computer in the guitar amplifier effect loop or you can for example connect the line out of the amplifier to the line in of the soundcard and listen to the output connecting the soundcard's line out to a stereo amplifier. n-Track allows to playback and record with the live input processing on, so for example a guitar player can theoretically connect the guitar direcly to the computer, obtain the desired sound using plug-ins, then record tracks hearing the guitar sound through the computer.
  The tracks will be actually recorded clean, so that after the recording it will still be possible to change the guitar sound (a process known as "Reamping") simply changing the plug-ins parameters. You may even record the guitar distorted, then decide that you prefer it clean, and obtain the desired sound without having to record the track again!
  
  

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