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Why is there a delay in the Mic audio when using the Mic button? |
By default, Studio records the Mic audio from the soundcards recording device digitally, optionally processes the audio using compressor/limiter DSP plugins, and then outputs the audio to the soundcards output device via Windows DirectSound. The recording and output stages require buffering to prevent stuttering in the audio playback. At the default settings, the output Buffer Size is 500ms and the input Buffer Size is 100ms, so the delay is at least 600ms. On super fast PC's which have no other applications running, it can be possible to use an output Buffer Size of 200ms and an input Buffer Size of 75ms. This reduces the delay to roughly a quarter of a second.
It is possible to remove the delay completely by changing an option on the Mic Input tab. Change Record from Device to Control Output Mixer. This requires the microphone to be connected to the same soundcard, and the soundcard needs to support passing the mic input through to the output. In this configuration, Studio will not touch the audio at all. It will pass straight through the soundcard only, so there is no delay. However, this means the VU meter will not reflect the Mic audio; DSP plugins cannot process the Mic audio; and by default, encoding a stream using the DSP audio pipeline will not include the Mic audio.
However, in this situation, the stream encoder should be switched to record the audio from the soundcard rather than the digital DSP pipeline. This involves clicking the button with the red X on the Oddcast window and selecting the soundcard and mixer. The mixer should be set to "What You Hear" or "Stereo Mix" or Wave Mix". These names can vary for different soundcards.
A solution for those wanting no delay but need the Mic audio compressed for internet broadcasting, see StationPlaylist Streamer. This utility costs only $28 for Studio licence holders.
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