Arch Linux

mahen

Member

From: France

Registered: 2007-02-05

Posts: 70

Pro Audio profile + pipewire-jack : is that supported ?

Hi everyone !

Does any of you make use of pipewire-jack along with the "Pro Audio" sound device profile ?
Here is my use case : I have a system for general use, including gaming, but sometimes I'd like to use some instruments (Pianoteq or Arturia instruments through WINE). I don't want to tweak the system too much, so no rt kernel and I don't want to replace Pipewire with jack.

(this a an 8th generation i5)

I managed to get an "OK" latency for playing but it's not satisfying for a keyboardist. Generally the safe value is 128 samples @ 48000 Hz, for about 2.3 milliseconds of latency. This IS noticeable and slightly distracting.
I know I can achieve more as I use to get <1ms latency about 15 years ago on a muuuuch less powerful setup.

ANYWAY HERE IS MY QUESTION :

I wanted to try the "Pro Audio" profile of Pipewire which supposedly could enable me the slightly reduce the latency in my use case (USB sound card, actually, a Roland Verselab).

The problem is :

When I set a PIPEWIRE_LATENCY below 128, Pianoteq crashes. With a regular profile (non pro) I could set any value, like 16, 32, 64...
Even when not setting a low PIPEWIRE_LATENCY, my WINE apps crash when I switch to WINEASIO. With a regular profile (non pro), any value would work although I would get intermittent crackling with a value of 64. (OK with a value of 128).

Is the Pro Audio Profile supposed to work with pipewire-jack ? Is there anything to know about it ?

Thanks so much !
take care

mahen

Member

From: France

Registered: 2007-02-05

Posts: 70

Re: Pro Audio profile + pipewire-jack : is that supported ?

Followup !

I managed to get my Arturia instruments through WINE/WINEASIO & Pipewire-Jack / Pro Profile work with ANY buffer size by forcing the 44100 rate. Cool !

Still get a very slight crackling though with 64 samples. Definitely less than with the non pro profile. Must be some slight room for improvement. Would be perfect for me. (1.5 ms in 44100 Hz)

I remember that rates conversions are not handled when using the Pro Audio mode. I am a bit surprise the Arturia Instruments cannot use a 48000 Hz rate ?

Still does not work in Pianoteq though, while this is native. Still investigating.

If anyone has a idea

Last edited by mahen (2025-03-08 17:30:34)