Maschine slave to your hardware setup? do I need SyncGen?

Anyone using Maschine (mikro mkII for me) as a slave to your hardware setup? I am having alot of trouble with getting the right sync in this situation.

Maschine does have the “slave offset” setting that is supposed to remedy this. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it’s a big headache and a major struggle to get the proper sync.

My midi Setup:
Tempest (Master) midi out + Keyboard cotroller midi out to Midi Merger ->
Midi Merger out -> midi in Octatrack
midi out Octa -> Midi Solutions Quadra Thru
Quadra Thru 1 -> Synth daisy chain 1
Quadra Thru 2 -> Synth daisy chain 2
Quadra Thru 3 -> Synth daisy chain 3
Quadra Thru 4 -> M-Audio Midisport 2x2 interface (Which is setup as Maschine’s midi input)

Tempest is only being used as the master midi clock because I’ve read too many horror stories about sync issues / start lag as a slave etc. I’ve also found this to be true, as I tried Maschine as Master to Tempest as Slave Thru and the sync is just not anywhere close.

I’m guessing many replies will suggest Innerclock SyncGenII, which I am at a crossroads of realizing that this is probably the next necessary step. But what a price to pay for something I feel the “slave offset” in Maschine should be able to handle.

I understand the SyncGen requires two outputs from your interface? So how does that control the clock? does each project in my DAW (Sonar) have to have a click track dedicated to those outputs or something? And if I go that route, will I then still have problems with Tempest as a slave?

really hoping someone here is using maschine + Tempest that can shed some light on this for me.

disclaimer: I know this isn’t the NI Forum. I’ve never found good help there and NI support’s replies are just pathetic. I know this isn’t the DSI forum too. So much negativity there which is infectious and it get’s me grumpy and joining in on the Tempest bash wagon which I’m trying to get away from doing. I’ve always got the best help here and previously EU. so that’s why I’m here

I think your problem is more related to audio latency.
What settings do you have in Maschine for the buffer of your sound card?

Thanks MOKA, I haven’t thought about the audio latency side of things yet…good point. I’m not at the studio now, but I will be later and I will post my audio buffer and latency info.

Thanks again MOKA I think that sorted it out! My Audio buffer was set at 512 and I was suffering 35ms latency! Dropped the buffer to 128 which dropped the latency to 10.4ms, and it’s tightest I’ve heard Maschine slave to my hardware yet.

I’m happy for the Maschine Slavery :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

awesome!