Clapping

[TMill]

I'm quite diappointed in the software on desktop. Whether I use the midi in, use the spacebar or click the mouse buttons my timing is always off. It isn't me. I've recorded my 'clicks' and the EM question metronome on my phone and they are spot on but Earmaster continues to tell me I'm late. I've tried EM on the iPad previously and never had this problem. I have a high spec PC system for recording audio (using Cubase, etc) and have no latency problems with any other software.

[Quentin]

Hi, on Windows, EarMaster uses a micrsoft driver which introduces a lot of latency for audio playback. But it does register your playing wihtout noticeable delay. So the solution is to enable "Silent Input" in the Exercise Options of EarMaster (right side panel while in the exercise). You can also adjust the "Input Timing Offset" of the software's preferences in the "Other Options" section. You can set it to 140ms to begin with, and then make adjustments if it's not 100% on point.

That issue is not there on iOS, Android and Mac, it's only on Windows.

[TMill]

Thank you Quentin, that worked perfectly. Set the Input Timing Offset to 180ms and that has sorted it out. thanks again

[Quentin]

Good to hear

We have plans to add an automatic latency adjustment. So in the future, you won't have to fiddle around with that timing offset setting.

[JimM]

Hi, on Windows, EarMaster uses a micrsoft driver which introduces a lot of latency for audio playback. But it does register your playing wihtout noticeable delay. So the solution is to enable "Silent Input" in the Exercise Options of EarMaster (right side panel while in the exercise). You can also adjust the "Input Timing Offset" of the software's preferences in the "Other Options" section. You can set it to 140ms to begin with, and then make adjustments if it's not 100% on point.

Thank you. This fixed the delay on the Beginner Pitch exercise (2.6), though I had to crank the "Other options" latency compensation to 340ms (FYI).

However, on exercise 3.2 Tapping with the Metronome, the clapping is not being picked up by Ear Master from my mic. The clapping sound is going through the same channel that my voice went through for exercise 2.6.

Any ideas on how to fix this? (Also, I'm not new to computers, just to this program. I'm just testing it before we buy it, which I'm thinking we will.)

Thank you,
Jim

[Quentin]

Maybe Mic input is not enabled?

If you don't see a microphone graphic that fills the lower part of the screen, then Mic inut is most likely not enabled for the current exercise. For example in rhythmic exercises, if you see clapping hands in the lower part fo the screen with the label "Click here or tap the space bar to play the rhythm" below it, then the software is expecting you to answer doing that. But you can eaasily change that by opening th eExercise Options (right-side panel) and selecting "Microphone" as lower interface.

[JimM]

Maybe Mic input is not enabled?

If you don't see a microphone graphic that fills the lower part of the screen, then Mic inut is most likely not enabled for the current exercise. For example in rhythmic exercises, if you see clapping hands in the lower part fo the screen with the label "Click here or tap the space bar to play the rhythm" below it, then the software is expecting you to answer doing that. But you can eaasily change that by opening th eExercise Options (right-side panel) and selecting "Microphone" as lower interface.

Thank you, Quentin. That worked.

I have a suggestion for your interface design. I had been in those options, but I didn't recognize what I was looking for. I have a reasonable amount of experience working with DAWs and MIDI apps, as well as tons of computer experience, including developing software. If I was unable to recognize the setting when it was right in front of me, how many others will have the same problem? "Lower instrument" and "Rhythm tapping" are not that obvious, since tapping and clapping are similar (for example, after I got it working, I switched from clapping to tapping with my practice drum sticks on my desk - it's more precise and easier on my hands). It's really tapping with the mouse/keyboard. Also, I suggest that since this is quite an important setting, and since your marketing promotes the method of clapping, that also (in addition to the setting right-side panel) you put these options right on the main screen, with radio buttons described with something like "Use Mic" and "Use mouse/keyboard". You might also want to default to the mic rather than the keyboard/mouse, since a lot of other things require the mic working for singing answers.

It looks like a nice program. We are going to buy it, right after I send this message.

Have a great day!
Jim M