Muse Research Receptor V2.0.1 Software Update Manual - Manual (Page 31)

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Setup: The "Audio..." settings menu
The Current Audio Device is always the Built-in audio, which gives you two analog inputs, two analog
outputs, stereo S/PDIF inputs, stereo S/PDIF outputs, and an ADAT digital audio optical output.
System Latency refers to how many buffers of audio you are employing to perform all of the various
calculations necessary to turn digital "bits" into music. The plug-ins on your system require a certain
amount of CPU "processing time" in order to generate its sound or effect, and the more plug-ins you run,
the higher the demands on the CPU.
By increasing the number of buffers the CPU has to work with, you reduce the chances that a calcuation
won't be completed in the time allowed, which could result in an unpleasant audio click or pop. Increasing
the number of buffers the CPU has to work with gives it more time to do the work you have given it to
do, which means it can run more plug-ins, or deliver higher polyphony counts with any particular plug-
in. However, by increasing the number of buffers you are using in the processing chain, you are also
introduce additional delay between the time a MIDI or audio signal comes into the system and the time
that you hear the resultant audio. As such, the buffer setting directly affects the system latency which will
determine how "fast" or "tight" your RECEPTOR feels. The more buffers you use, the higher the system
latency, and the "slower" the system feels. The key for the setting is to find the right "buffer size" or
"System Latency" setting for your particular use case to allow everything to work smoothly and efficiently.
The audio menu gives you choice of several different "System Latency" settings:
Lowest (32 sample buffers): This is the fastest setting in the RECEPTOR, and is best for drums
or when you are singing. This is also the most demanding setting in terms of the processor load,
so some presets may not be able to run well at this setting. If you hear clicking or popping in the
audio output while playing at this setting, try selecting the next higher setting.
Normal (128 sample buffers): This is the standard setting in the RECEPTOR. Fast, but not so fast
that you are likely to overload the CPU on a regular basis. If you hear clicking or popping in the
audio output while playing at this setting, try selecting the next higher setting.
Medium (256 sample buffers): Slower than normal, this setting is typical of most computer
systems. Percussive sounds may feel a bit a little slow in their response at this setting but should
be fine for sounds that are more legato, like strings and pad synths. If you hear clicking or popping
in the audio output while playing at this setting, try selecting the next highest setting.
Highest (512 sample buffers): If Medium does not give your RECEPTOR enough time to get its
work done, then try the highest setting. This setting gives the processor the most amount of time
to do its job, and should be sufficient for every sound found in RECEPTOR. If you still hear clicks
and pops at this setting, you might want to try lowering the sample rate or reducing the CPU load.
The Sample Rate setting lets you set the rate of digital to analog and analog to digital conversion in the
system. The built-in audio of your Receptor provides your choice of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96kHz. The faster
you set your sample rate, the more load you are introducing to the CPU (since data is being processed
faster), but a faster sample rate also reduces the system latency: latency is halved with each doubling of
the sample rate.
The Sample Clock Source selects what clock source is used in the audio sub-system. Receptor lets you
chose from two clock sources: INTERNAL, or S/PDIF (clocking to the incoming S/PDIF stream). Note that
you MUST have a stable, clean, and valid clock presented to the system when using external clock mode
or your audio quality will suffer greatly. Do not use the S/PDIF input as a clock source if there is no signal
presented to your Receptor, or the audio quality will suffer