Torpedo live & WoS, latency and power amps

[Migel]

Hi! I've been using WoS III for a while, I run my JVM's preamp into interface and apply power amp simulation. It sounds and feels awesome! But I understand this setup is for home use only and for band practice/gigs and I've been thinking of Torpedo Live. I understand the basic similarities and differences between WoS and Live. What I would like to know:

1) If I upgraded to Live, would it actually increase my whole systems latency? My computer is modern and well performing and at this case, to my understanding, WoS latency is close to zero (correct if I'm wrong). Live's reported latency is like < 3 ms, so it doesn't seem a good trade in this case.

2) As I said before, I really like WoS power amp simulation. I have kept power amp volume at max and my preamp gain at 3. I use one IR at the time only. So, when you run your amp to Live and use it as a load box, can you hear/feel the difference between real and simulated power amp? I would guess so, but haven't found any comparisons anywhere..

Right now it feels that Live is a bit too expensive upgrade, if WoS can perform as I have stated. Correct me wrong and I'm happy to place my order ^^

 

[Basstyra]

Hello Miguel!

1) The correct latency of your current setup is not zero. The WoS III only adds a small latency of a few samples, depending on the working sampling frequency, this can be considered as zero. But you are forgetting the sound interface. It has latency, which depends on the buffer size and other elements.

3ms is a very short latency, it is very likely that your current latency is egal or even higher than that

2) Of course, the actual power amp simulated in the Torpedo is probably different from your real power amp, so you will probably hear a difference. But the Torpedo Power Amp simulation is the same in the WoS and Live, so if you like the power amp simulation in the WoS, you'll like the one in the Live.

 

[marshallmadness]

I don't think you will benefit from an attenuator with a JVM for live playing.

 

[Migel]

Hello, thanks for replys!

My interface (Steinberg UR22) has actually this zero-latency monitoring, so maybe that 3 ms isn't bad at all..

About attenuators, I understand that Torpedo Live is just a load box, not an attenuator (like Reload). I have tried Rivera Rock Crusher as attenuator, but didn't like how it darkened recorded tone and returned it to the store. Guess it wasn't really optimized for into-DAW-recording, more like just playing through cab at attenuated volumes. But what I understand, Torpedo could do this job, even if JVM sounds good at lower volumes. Still, it behaves differently (= better) when master volume is opened a bit.

 

[sysexguy]

just so you are aware, when a sound card offers zero latency monitoring, they are looping back the input signal pre a/d to the foldback (monitor) and in doing so, the signal is pre any instanciated plug ins so you would have zero latency, but also no speaker simulation until playback.

You could add an analog sim just for monitoring but the Live has a 1.9ms latency with the latest firmware which is equivalent to standing just far enough from your amp that it isn't all hum ie less than 1meter (about a yard).

Most latency problems occur when digital pedals and processes are cascaded in series....things like 3 tiered pedalboards full of Strymon, Eventides and TC's (or any other great brand) without a proper looper to keep the path minimized. The Torpedo and DAW I/O are often labeled the culprit but often are the last element in a chain that pushes latency into the perceptible range.