I don't know, if what I found out is new to you, but anyway.
I just found a "general rule" for the xtc delays or the xtc latency compensation in general. This works for me! You can try, if it works for you as well.
1. Audio-Channels (Wav-files)
They don't need the xtc-delay. Latency is compensated by Cubase for one (!) insert effect. Insert a second one and you hear latency. So if you need more than one effect, best is to use the Multi FX.
BUT: (!) I always have to set the inspector to +50ms to make the audiotrack play in sync. Don't know why - but this is the same phenomenon in every project.
2. VST Instruments (FM7, Halion, The Grand, etc)
They don't need xtc-delay as well. Latency is compensated by cubase. Use the Multi FX, if you need more that one insert. VSTis don't need any change in the inspector.
3. Pulsar Synths in XTC Mode
They definitively need the xtc-delay. I still don't understand that, but it's a fact. This needs to be done also, if you have inserted one insert effect (or the Multi FX). Not logical but fact.
After all, I think, that Cubase SX does not compensate latencies automatically as it should be. Every track has to be adapted to the sync of the VSTi-tracks. As I said, this works for me, not necessarily for you.
Comments and other ideas are welcome.
Something "new" about XTC Delay
More 'new', as taken from Steinberg's last chat:
http://www.steinberg.net/en/ps/community/chat/index.php
[GonZoft] Delay compensation on all audio paths announced with new engine. Will dsp card delay be compensated too?
[Nicolas4Steinberg] DSP card FX will be compensated for as well, but this can only be achieved with new drivers/FX updates which match the 'VST3 standard. (...) Everything will be working still with asio, so there is no change needed on the hardware side.
[PGStudio] the full delay compensation means that i will not need anymore the UAD Delay COmp. Plugin ?? [at0m edit: also counts for CW gear]
[Ed4Steinberg] Yes.
This one I found very funny:
[TonyOstinato] Another thing I gotta say , THANKS FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT PC AND WINDOWS!!!!
[Christian4Steinberg] why should we drop the pc platform
[thRob] currently dragging channels in SX changes fx/plugin/VSTi routing to a very frustrating degree. Will that be changed via this new audio engine?
[Yvan4Steinberg] the new engine suppress this sometime "strange effect", but as before the routing will depend on the creation order...
Okay, no PFM this time:
[TonyOstinato] Is this new plugin delay compensation entirely based on terrestrial technology?
[Charlie4Steinberg] yes, we use a new more efficient approach
Great idea from Steinberg, this chat. They are planning one again.
And thanks Gonzoft for participation!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: at0mic on 2002-10-13 16:13 ]</font>
http://www.steinberg.net/en/ps/community/chat/index.php
[GonZoft] Delay compensation on all audio paths announced with new engine. Will dsp card delay be compensated too?
[Nicolas4Steinberg] DSP card FX will be compensated for as well, but this can only be achieved with new drivers/FX updates which match the 'VST3 standard. (...) Everything will be working still with asio, so there is no change needed on the hardware side.
[PGStudio] the full delay compensation means that i will not need anymore the UAD Delay COmp. Plugin ?? [at0m edit: also counts for CW gear]
[Ed4Steinberg] Yes.
This one I found very funny:
[TonyOstinato] Another thing I gotta say , THANKS FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT PC AND WINDOWS!!!!
[Christian4Steinberg] why should we drop the pc platform
[thRob] currently dragging channels in SX changes fx/plugin/VSTi routing to a very frustrating degree. Will that be changed via this new audio engine?
[Yvan4Steinberg] the new engine suppress this sometime "strange effect", but as before the routing will depend on the creation order...
Okay, no PFM this time:
[TonyOstinato] Is this new plugin delay compensation entirely based on terrestrial technology?
[Charlie4Steinberg] yes, we use a new more efficient approach
Great idea from Steinberg, this chat. They are planning one again.
And thanks Gonzoft for participation!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: at0mic on 2002-10-13 16:13 ]</font>
After messin' around for a while with XTC mode, I came to the conclusion that it does not allow efficient working yet. So I decided to use my CW stuff in SFP mode instead, and I am quite happy with that (that's why I do not post here so much anymore ). I made a couple of SFP projects for recording synths, samplers and for mixing and mastering and everything is fine. However, I still notice a tiny delay when using CW instruments. The STS3000, for example, has a constant delay of about 5 ms and the Vectron Player something like 3-4 ms. It's not much, but it can completely mess up the feel of e.g. a hihat towards the rest of the drum kit. Must be related to the processing time on the DSP. Well, it's not really a ptoblem, cause it is very predictable and one can advance the corresponding midi tracks in SX. So, my modest advice: forget XTC for the time being and use SFP mode. It works really fine.
). I made a couple of SFP projects for recording synths, samplers and for mixing and mastering and everything is fine. However, I still notice a tiny delay when using CW instruments. The STS3000, for example, has a constant delay of about 5 ms and the Vectron Player something like 3-4 ms. It's not much, but it can completely mess up the feel of e.g. a hihat towards the rest of the drum kit. Must be related to the processing time on the DSP. Well, it's not really a ptoblem, cause it is very predictable and one can advance the corresponding midi tracks in SX. So, my modest advice: forget XTC for the time being and use SFP mode. It works really fine.