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Windows ASIO Driver

Hardware buffer

Note: For WaveRT drivers, this box is labeled “Allow Pull Mode (WaveRT)” instead!

Enables the hardware buffer for the highlighted device. This only works for so called “WavePCI” miniports, as other types of WDM drivers do not usually allow direct access to the hardware buffer. Adjustment for best hardware buffer performance involves the “ASIO Buffer Size” slider and the “Buffer Offset” slider (see below). Hardware buffering works best for rather small ASIO buffer sizes. Try something between 128 and 256 samples as a starter! The biggest advantage of using the hardware buffer is that this method uses a lot less CPU. In addition, it may be possible to decrease latencies even further.

In multi-device-setups, it is possible to mix Hardware-buffered devices with devices that are not. This, however, is not particularly recommended!

With Envy24-based PCI-sound cards, there may be an option in your sound card control panel that reads “DMA Buffer Transfer Latency” (Seen with Terratec products) or similar. You should set this to the lowest possible value, e.g. “1ms” for best results.

Note: If hardware buffering is not supported by a particular audio device, there will be an additional latency of a couple hundred milliseconds, which is clearly audible.

  • Getting Started

    Getting Started

    Setting up your audio software In order to make use of ASIO4ALL, you need to configure your audio software accordingly. How you would do this depends on your particular software application. Generally, you would always enter the audio configuration menu and select ASIO -> ASIO4ALL v2. There now should be a button to launch the… more

  • Basic configuration

    Basic configuration

    WDM Device List This is the list of audio devices found in your system. Highlight the device that you want to make changes to. Note: All parameter changes always only apply to the device currently highlighted! Activate the device you want to use by clicking on the button next to the device name! In the… more

  • Advanced configuration

    Advanced configuration

    Once the control panel has been switched to advanced mode, things begin to look a little more complicated. The device list is now expandable and you can enable more than one item at a time. Device list items explained: Devices are independent hardware units most of the time. It is easy to understand the concept… more