minimize_sound_lag_e - DTXMania Wiki - DTXMania

Minimizing audio output lag (latency)

Outline

1. Minimizing audio output lag (latency)
   1. Replacing audio driver
   2. Using REAL

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Very important thing for DTXMania is, to reduce sound output lag (latency). The lag become smaller, play-feeling become better.

In this page, 2 ways will be introduced to reduce the sound output lag. (1st way is my recommendation, but 2nd way is very easy to use)

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Replacing audio driver

In Windows10, in many cases, you can reduce the sound output delays by applying Microsoft High Definition Audio Driver.

(I think 3rd-party sound driver should also support the low latency. However, I think currently (August 2019) only Microsoft's driver support it)

If you are interested in it, follow the steps below to update the sound driver to the Microsoft's low-latency driver. That driver does not have the hardware dependency. So the driver can apply to any audio hardwares.

# I don't recommend to apply the driver if "you're not familiar to update the driver manually" or "you cannot recover the driver to the last one". If so, you can try 2nd way (using REAL).

1. Right-click start button. Then click "Device Manager".

2. Double-click "Sound video and game controllers". Then right-click the sound output device which you use. Click "Update driver". Before clicking "Update driver" you should memo the driver name which you use... for your recovery.

3. Click "Browse my computer for driver software".

4. Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".

5. Clear the checkbox of "Show compatible hardware". Then click "Microsoft" in Manufacturer. And click the latest "High Definition Audio Device". And click "Next".

6. Click "Close".

7. If you are asked to reboot the PC... do it.

After these settings, start DTXMania again. The buffer size of WASAPI(Exclusive or Shared) become smaller (or you could set the smaller value of the buffer).

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Notice:

• I tried these steps in many Win10 PC environment. I could not success it in AsRock DeskMini A300 Series. When I tried it in this PC, its sound output (of its device) was gone. If you know how to apply the low-latency sound driver, please let me know!

Using REAL

By using REAL (Reduce Audio Latency), the DSound output lag will become almost as the same as WASAPI(Shared).

# You can change the sound output way by CONFIGURATION/System/Sound Option/SoundType...you can choose ASIO, WASAPI(Exclusive), WASAPI(Shared) or DSound. Usually DSound is the most laggy one....

It's very easy to use REAL.

1. Download REAL, then run REAL.exe
2. The window will be appeared. Do not close it. Then run DTXMania (If already running, close it first then run it again)

Running REAL

That's all! Now the sound lag of DSound becomes almost as the same as WASAPI(Shared).

You can read the detail technical descriptions at REAL site.

You can use these 2 ways (driver replace, using REAL) at the same time. If you use both, the lag become more smaller.