Soundcard/DAC with ZLM ?

ttaskmaster · 20 Mar 2017 at 15:54

Are there any soundcards or DAC-type things out there that have either Zero Latency Monitoring, or at least monitoring latency so short it's imperceptible?

Hoping desperately that I don't have to go back to USB 7.1 sound...

ttaskmaster · 21 Mar 2017 at 10:25

I need monitoring from my headset mic, back to the headset cans, basically.

ttaskmaster · 21 Mar 2017 at 12:45

I never had delay with in-Windows monitoring (Listen To This Device) until I switched from USB headsets - Obviously there is some delay due to the processing on a soundcard, but this was even using the on-board sound, too.
I'm talking ¼ to ½ a second delay, perhaps a bit more. I could deal with a few ms, but this is way too long and more like a full-on echo.

I know pro audio devices do have a 'ZLM mode' or socket which bridges the mic straight to the output. I was just wondering if there was a fairly straightforward, less über-pro solution for us basic users.

ttaskmaster · 21 Mar 2017 at 13:55

Marsman said:
No delay when using USB headset? Interesting.

Well, no perceptible delay, at any rate...

Marsman said:
USB headsets essentially have a sound card built in, so really there should be little difference between a USB sound card and a USB headset.

No no, my USB headsets were fine, even with LTTD enabled. Pretty great, in fact.
No, I had to switch to a 3.5mm jacked headset and, because the on-board was naff, ended up getting a Xonar DX2.

Marsman said:
I suppose drivers could be a factor, but surely USB headsets have additional drivers and software that has to be installed?

There are software suites, but I never bothered. Just stuck with the generic Windows whatever from when I first plugged the USB ones in. Sound was good, performance was fine, ZLM effect exactly what I wanted.
Just wanted to get that same experience from this more in-depth kit, too... not that a Steelseries Siberia V2 is particularly advanced, or anything...!!

ttaskmaster · 21 Mar 2017 at 16:24

I expect so, although it was a while back that I even bothered fiddling and I don't recall it helping. I've ended up either hanging one earcup off the side of my head, or just not playing at all.

I'm using UNi Xonar drivers/CP, if that helps?

ttaskmaster · 22 Mar 2017 at 12:12

Checked again last night - UNi Xonar does have monitoring and it's better than most other options... but the delay is still long enough to create an echo effect.
I recall several mentions of ASIO on the UNi forums and I know my system has it installed in some capacity, but I don't believe it was of any use.

ttaskmaster · 22 Mar 2017 at 17:27

Marsman said:
I don't mean separate ASIO software installation, I mean there were options when installing Uni drivers, one was for an ASIO installation.

Yeah, that's where mine would have come from.
I don't even know what ASIO really is, especially. I just got the drivers everyone recommended, which looks to include this ASIO.

Marsman said:
The idea though, is that ASIO allows software to directly take control of the device, which removes other processing by Windows, which may be the cause of the added delay.

I recall seeing that as a settings option, but IIRC it's selected and doesn't seem to make any difference.
I've also disabled all sound features on everything in the BIOS and removed all the Nvidia stuff, leaving just the Xonar options in the Control Panel sound options.

ttaskmaster · 23 Mar 2017 at 11:53

Cheers - Will hopefully try that tonight and let you know... if all goes well, that is - I ended up working late, until 4am yesterday.