Rocksmith 2014 Edition - Optimize Your Audio Setup

Join Taylor Benson, Associate Producer of Rocksmith 2014, and learn how to properly set up your television and sound system and minimize lag for the best Rocksmith 2014 experience.
Note for PlayStation 3 Users: You may have to go into your PS3 system settings to select your RCA cables as the output source when separating the video and audio feeds as recommended. Further information on changing these settings can be found here: manuals.playsta...
For more information on reducing latency and general Rocksmith 2014 questions, please visit: rocksmith.ubi.c...

[@Kevdogma72]

What a pain in the f'n ass

[@Augiezilla805]

what about xbox one?

[@Don-po8vl]

did you figure it out for xbox one?

[@Brimst0ne_XB]

I think we're fooked mates!

[@Gonejackalgaming]

@@Brimst0ne_XB I just bought the remastered version on ps4. I think the only way forward is either using quality headphones or buying a seperate sound system that doesnt run on hdmi.

[@Brimst0ne_XB]

@@Gonejackalgaming Yep I think you're right. I'm gonna try a sound bar with optical audio.

[@Girzzlyঐু]

@@Brimst0ne_XB AYE did that sound bar fix the delay? I have the XB1 version of the game and the delay between the video and audio is horrible, but I'm looking into getting a sound bar and I was curious to know if this works as a solution

[@davidwood3632]

The game should come with what the system needs to not have this delay. It ruins it for me especially since I can already play guitar. The games tone builder would be so much fun if the delay wasn’t there.

[@xSpeakerYT]

So you want the to provide you extra speakers?

[@Hellmiauz]

That's HDMI standard fault not theirs.

[@lookatvidz69]

where the ps4 and xbox one fix

[@Fooludontknowme]

its the same i think

[@djk0n3x0]

@SL3DG3 nah fam, the ps4 has an optical audio output

[@gamersoul6996]

@@djk0n3x0 exactly how I used mine and there was no lag and if there was usually just clean the optical input and the ends of the optical cord

[@stpdbtch]

Wish I had looked for this video years ago. It's been sitting in the box since the day I bought it. The lag made it unusable.

[@myronvalentine6136]

That is great information for XBox and PS3 users. But, what about those of us that are using the MacBook Pro? Are there suggestions for improving the delay in this sertup?

[@attyozt]

I didn't know you could get this on Mac I would use an audio interface like a scarlet solo

[@leonardodalcegio]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAND for the computers?

[@crax83]

+Leonardo Leonardodalcegio Same thing, just don't take the audio from the HDMI. If you use the normal audio out from your sound card you should be just fine.

[@sharinglungs3226]

Jimmie I was thinking of playing this on a laptop. I would think this is not an issue in that case.

[@feliperuiz5332]

So I just bought the remastered Xbox One game after not playing in a while... Since playing on the 360 and with or without any cable attached the game sounds distorted and very low volume. It doesn't matter if I'm using headphones, tv sound or sound system. Obviously there is something wrong with the game. How do I fix it? I also tried different settings on the xbox audio settings. Help!

[@DJAMES1017]

But what about PC users who have an interface/monitor audio setup??

[@thenickseditious]

That's what I'm saying where's the PC fix?

[@Shoto519]

+Nick Taddia forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/719817-A-guide-to-achieving-low-latency-in-Rocksmith-on-PC-Forums i found this

[@dansands6363]

I just use my turtle beaches, with them on I don't hear the strings either.

[@jason4275]

Just got mines today to learn how to play bass my fingers are killing me after my 1st hour

[@DLTA64]

I love Rocksmith!

[@feliperuiz5332]

Ok, so all my issues are gone! Just go to the xbox settings, then display and sound, then select audio output, then put the headphones and the speaker audio to stereo uncompressed. Worked for me.

[@lambrettaladUK]

I'll give this a go, the delay drives me nuts

[@jessetate9701]

Felipe Ruiz can this work with ps4 as well?

[@TheJohn_River]

Just wondering.... Using the method at 1:45 would i be able to hook an amp to my xbox???

[@VintageLeftyGuitars]

@jonny Ortiz just get a cord splitter for your guitar, one male end to two female ends, run one cord to amp, other rocksmith cord to your ps4, then go in options on tv and mute your guitar on rocksmith on tv, then you hear amp only

[@johnson0nline]

Anyone have a crackling cable? I just recieved the game after plugging it in (PS3) I am having severe crackling as if the cable isn't earthed. Does anybody have a work around or should I request another cable from the store I bought it?

[@epitrop0s]

Rory Johnson in rocksmiths audio settings increase the Audio Engine Settings. the lower the number the smaller the buffer less latency but higher cpu load. increase in small increments till crackling has reduced recommended is 4 - 6 Also check your pick up height and check grounding wire

[@imonlyhuman69]

Wow this shit just eats up your hard earned money. No thanks im cool with just playing along with backing tracks on youtube

[@tlpeterson]

um this is the shittiest way to fix the issue

[@notmakingcontent]

Those cables that originally come with the 360, the ones with the red yellow and white cords, would that work better than the hdmi cable for someone who doesn't have an outside source for a speaker?

[@mr.toucan1706]

the thing is i dont have the cable and i cant acces the setting in tutorial how the hell am i supposed to put y input TO MICHROPHONE

[@duesenberger]

Can You use the Tone Designer when using an USB interface? Because You have to select MIC INPUT where the interface shows up. My interface is working fine, but I can only hear the clean guitar regardless of what I choose in Tone Designer.

[@olliemanden5770]

Can you use a Turtle Beach x12 headset without audio lag ?

[@jimmycestoni109]

I have been using the controller on my ps4 for sound and how I do it is very simple, I connect the ps4 controller to the surround sound with the audio cable and it works for me.

[@jamesmills109]

the problem I'm having is note detection, and its very frustrating when it says i missed a note that i know i hit correctly.

[@kless001]

James Mills the low E strong notes are the worst for me. Otherwise dig the “game”

[@readyfreddie6102]

It no sound delay? When I play it didn’t sound delayed::

[@MrLeninus]

And what about PC audio optimizing? Is it not worth showing?

[@biomechanism1]

Well.. on a PC Audio and Video are seperated isnt it? Video per HDMI or DVI cable and Audio via Soundcard to speakers so there should be already a good latency. PC's Problem could be the USB Port tho.

[@VRPudz]

I don't seem to have an issue with latency on my pc even when using hdmi.

[@MrLeninus]

Latency problem on PC is terrible. It's much easier to solve it on console than on PC. And by the way, overall sound volume is regulated better on consoles either. Developers somehow managed to ruin session mode completely on PC. I am struggling with latency and volume ever since the game came out.

[@biomechanism1]

MrLeninus Well I dont think its the developers fault. Because I dont have any problem with latency or volume.

[@ch0c4]

MrLeninus Mine is just fine.

[@Sam_Ares]

My PC plays with no latency at all straight off the bat. At least < 35ms.

[@florianchristen6215]

what about the remastered versio for ps4 or xbox one?! why the fuck wouldn't you as a company point a little tiny finger in the direction of "maybe u got a setup that will lag and make the game unusable"? i am really disappointed AGAIN by what semi-ready shit ubisoft is putting out. how can it be, that I buy a 6 year old game for 50 bucks, that won't work properly with any standard equipment ?

[@mpv756]

How bout for PS5? Stuck using headphones at the moment.

[@LifeAsMoeGreen]

The fucking cable just randomly stops working. Google it and you'll find many people are having this problem and Ubisoft has done nothing to fix it

[@andrastawolf]

I have PS4. Anyone know what I need to do to solve this problem?

[@RBFR01]

Game was literally unplayable upon release because the audio delay was so bad and there is no way to fix it.

[@GordioUA]

Sometimes peoples very bored for thinking. They will put audio-out (from x-box) to audio-out for headphones (from Speakers). (If can't understand English - translate russian original). Это вы зря. Людишкам иногда лениво думать, ну совсем совсем. Будут пихать аудио выход (с x-box) в аудио-выход для наушников (с колонок).

[@levz118]

So charge 40 for the cable and 30 for the game but then ask us to buy more cables, nice... -_-

[@tomservo3501]

uhhhhhh Ive played on an hdmi cable on pc for years now and just started having problems. this is maddening.

[@Kougeru]

How about adding support for 24bit audio? Or making it so the game can launch when surround sound speakers are selected on PC? It's really irritating having to switch to 16bit stereo every time I want to launch the game

[@GTRaycer]

I use Rocksmith 2014 on my PC with surround speakers. I've had no issues, except for the first time I ran it...And, the was because I didn't connect to my guitar before launching the software.

[@shinigandhi]

Adding support to 24bit audio requires more processing power on the cpu (and sound card) end, meaning a lot of people won't get a good experience with it, I know it sucks but for the sake of good performance it is best to have 16bit.

[@johnland82]

Daniel Halevi Meanwhile, people who have decent audio equipment are skipping this game on PC because it doesn't support a wide variety of setups. People, in general, are not playing out of tin cans anymore. The average PC in homes is far more powerful than it was 10+ years ago.

[@shinigandhi]

johnland82 Obviously, that's the normal evolution in computing power. I'm just saying that most people are not using i7 processors or even i5, so a lot of people will lose performance when playing this game. I do agree that having an OPTIONAL 24bit support will be amazing, but I think now it's just the cable that needs to support 24bit.

[@Airtrooper719]

I got a better idea, how about go use amplitube or guitar rig if your so concerned about tone....

[@SpindlePC]

But if I have PC??? What can I do? :(

[@mertkrdok2068]

man i don't want this shit. i want to play via hdmi cable. it was runnig perfectly but now there's no sound on my xbox in the game. pls help s.o.

[@maximus8236]

Good day. XBOX one. With your cable. There is a strong delay in the sound. Impossible to play! Also used an optical sound output. Nothing has changed. Exactly the same delay! Sound without compression. Please help! PS I use an electric guitar.

[@DannyMNL]

I absolutely never use optical audio because it has a delay on my receiver on every game. This is actually not an issue of the game, but more of an issue with not every hardware (AKA TV) manufacturer processing audio in the same way. So try switching to an analog audio setup and not a digital one.

[@adrianvogeli6837]

I just have an optical out from my xbox one and i dont have a optical in in my stereo system :-/ what can i do???

[@MrTNBassmaster]

You can go from optical in to av out just an adapter.

[@HatsTour]

It's bullshit that Rocksmith sell this knowing that it doesn't work correctly. It's not plug in and play and considering how much it cost, that's disgraceful.

[@warpdriveby]

If you keep the volume on for the tv and separate speakers you can get a delay/reverb/chorus effects that vary with the amount of latency. It does sound like sh#t though compared to actual effects.

[@evgeniycartman9296]

i used to play rcksmith on ps5 with hdmi cable and everything was fine before firmware update. After that I quit plaing due to sound delay.There were several updates after that, but delay is still there. And I still haven't find tha way to fix it

[@rocksmithplus]

Have you checked your PlayStation audio settings to see if anything changed? You might also try some of the tips mentioned in this article: www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/rocksmith/plus/news-updates/0ObO0tPaR4kiGmmgpkeJZ/minimizing-audio-latency-on-console You can also reach out to support at www.ubisoft.com/help/contact

[@attyozt]

I tried this and there is still a bit of lag, it is better than before but it doesn't eliminate the problem

[@menzoznem]

I have done this, but the latency will never truly drop to zero. If you have never played a guitar you won't know the difference, but if you do, it makes the game absolutely fucking unplayable. Thanks for making me waste 70 euros on a product that does not work.

[@violeman]

Yeah I found this even on PC (Computer for those you of that do not know).. This game just does not like HDMI on any platform when running HDMI for video & audio.. So on PC, you can still use your HDMI for video, But set your Audio setting to use the onboard Audio or Sound Card you have installed on your system!! Thanks !!!

[@PsychXxKiddo]

how do i do that?

[@glitchmyride1200]

What a RIP OFF. People DONT buy this game. They actually want you to spend more money on cables to fix their own problems.

[@Th3M4larky]

+GlitchMyRide People do buy this game and don't sound so ignorant, makes you look like an idiot. Should learn electronics as well. It's quite simple why there is audio lag, the console has to change it to a digital signal for HDMI then the sound unit / tv has to downscale it back to analog... Problem solved...

[@MistaaFeast]

When i first got rocksmith i had unbearable audio lag because I was using hdmi. I fixed it by using component and hdmi together. this helped but eventually I just bought headsets and those are great because they have bass boost and I can play at night without waking up the family.

[@baatar]

Which headset did you buy?

[@MistaaFeast]

I think they were afterglow

[@retrotodaygames199]

Which one?

[@WonderfulWino]

im so fucking mad i bought this fucking game

[@masterrelicrelic6151]

WonderfulWino why?

[@WonderfulWino]

the audio lag even when using optical out to a sound system is unacceptable

[@masterrelicrelic6151]

WonderfulWino I just got today and it sounds fine for me.

[@GamingLover-xp8hc]

Usually only people who are very experienced in playing guitar can hear the difference. Even if its a hair to late or early it can drive you insane. People who do not play that much can and will not notice the lag though.

[@sustan4532]

I have an Xbox 360 and a sound bar an Optical digital cable and htmi cables...I’m trying to play rock Smith 2014 but there is a time lag, what do I need ? Would an A/V adapter help me ? My sound bar has a hdmi input annd mini jack input and an optical cable input...

[@Mrsjb512]

I've done all of this but the game still won't register my guitar. Any suggestions? All hook ups seem to be correct

[@tpierce2155]

Ps4 slim - It could be my TV that's helping, but I got it yesterday, I got a ps4 slim for Christmas. I plugged in, calibrated, and have completed my first 2 lessons with absolutely no lag. NONE. The TV is a 4k, which I got just after thanksgiving. But...it works, with no lag

[@ChaceJeck]

What about for ps4/ps5 now?

[@kiviandacourt6004]

Hi. Great video. This works with PS4? I wanna buy Rocksmith but u don't want delay... I hace a guitar corte cr250, a Fender Mustang 1 v.2 (this amp have direcr conection from amp(type C) to USB... I can use it ? I don't have the game yet .. anda i don't have Rocksmith cable conection yet...

[@hori666666]

Please help. Xbox X Lag......

[@колячекалкин]

I've bought this game for ps4 slim and there is no way to play! Ps4 does not have any audio outputs but hdmi. Remember it guys. Don't pay for nothing.

[@SpookyApparition]

Why do I get no lag using only an HDMI cable into the TV but unplayably bad lag when using analog RCA cables into my receiver? Very disappointing as my TV's speakers are terrible compared to my stereo.

[@MrMiniMeister]

What about PC?

[@hitchen1]

PC has a lot more going on. There are config files and such you can change to increase/decrease buffer sizes which increase/decreases delay respectively. There's a few guides around on steam and some other places. steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=120158284

[@gloriablanton1518]

So I spend 70 bucks on this then spend 15 on some cables then I spend 100 on some good computer speakers and ill be able to play the game that is supposed to teach me guitar in 60 days? Im good you can have rocksmith back I literally will never play this game again im on ps4 with a monster hdmi on a vizio m class 60 in playing a dean ml dime o flame a decent set up piss on this game. Ill go back to my tabs and amp, thank you.

[@ArmaRood]

Who would've thought you'd have to spend money to learn guitar in a relatively quick and efficient manner.

[@-._V1NC3NT_.-447]

Well there's your issue Why the fuck did you buy a Monster HMDI cable?

[@ninjalemurdude]

I probably have the worst set up ever for this. I use an hdmi cable, and have stereos connecting to the TV. Somehow, I have no sound problems though. I am still having a problem with my mastery level resetting. I went a month or two without that problem, but it hasn't saved a single songs progress in the last two weeks, and has reset all but about 2 or 3 of the songs, and all of those are maxed out ones. It's really annoying to reset my level through riff repeater every song.

[@boringyeti28]

Does it work for PS4?

[@MPK-72]

Does anyone know what is needed to actually use your actual amp to play this game? I've been playing for a couple of years,bought the game through the PS store months ago but never even attempted to play it. I have a ps4 a fender strat and 50watt marshall amp. Wouldn't mind playing the game but read so much about what is needed and not sure what in the hell to buy to play the game. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@supergonzo4]

I connect Xbox using the first splitter to my audio center and must say was bigger latency than from tv. Have to try with something simple like PC speakers . Thank you

[@gooner6446]

Shouldnt it say things like this on the back of the game?! Wish I didnt waste my money. So to play this game I have to change my entire audio setup in my room and invest in either a Home Cinema or a sh*tty little PC speaker to hear the audio through. or i just play all my games not through a HDMI cable, OR have to change all of the cables every single time i want to play a different game other than rocksmith. Back to good old tabs i think. This is mental

[@swanclipper]

listening through a TV? gross. what an insult to the craftsmanship by the engineers who helped record these songs.

[@matthewgeary1811]

I have turtle beaches for my Xbox One, will this work to separate audio

[@mikeO31082]

I've been thinking of picking this up, but read about the audio delay. If I'm on an Xbox One or PS4, what are my options? What if i was to buy a digital optical audio cable to run my Xbox One to my tv, would that work? Or would I be better off swapping my Xbox 360 back from an hdmi input to a vga cable?

[@xshadowscreamx]

So many hoops to jump, I will just have to stick to the old fashioned way of learning.

[@barbiosman]

Pls set a video for ROCKSMITH 2014 constant buzzing problem

[@chrisjohnson5610]

BasarBest Turn the volume on your guitar down and mute the strings with fretting hand when not playing them

[@tucko11]

Exactly what's the point for experienced guitar players to purchase this game ? I might as well just plug in my amp and play ! Guitar amplifiers don't have audio "latency"

[@Shazeen82]

Just bought the game to ps4 I have a wireless sony headset. Im experienced a little amount of lag. Maybe the bluetooth system fails? I wanna use only headphones to play. How can I solve it?

[@4geist768]

So any way you're doing it, it's better to have external speakers? I have the mac version, is there a way to plug the audio separately into the tv and use HDMI for video or would that still cause an issue? What hardware do I need to buy to setup the mac for lag free experience playing the game? I have the official Ubisoft real tone audio cable, and it's plugged into my macbook pro 2017 through a hub that connects USB to lighting port. Still experience lag.

[@MrOzkarlopez]

wouldn t be easier if you. put the audio lag calibrqtion biult in the game, just like in guitar heroe????!!!!

[@Th3M4larky]

+Oscar Eduardo Lopez Luna holy crap speak English before commenting...

[@juanpunch2793]

holy crap! there are people whose native language is not, I repeat, IS NOT english.

[@menzoznem]

It doesn't work like guitar hero. guitar hero can correct input later and now still play the prerecorded guitar sound, but you can't play audio of your own guitar now, if it is detected a small second later. You need time travel for that :(

[@matheusbarros2107]

Simple usb headset, compatible with ps4 off course, would fix the delay?

[@radinamihaylova8780]

where can i buy those cables???:D

[@gimmedemcheeks5842]

Online

[@ezimm81]

How would you do this on newer consoles now? Like a ps5 or series x or Xbox one? Figure an update for lag in game like a calibration how rock band does it

[@baatar]

How would I optimize audio for the new Alienware alpha? That device only seems to support optical out, but no component interfaces.

[@jacobogarza8839]

hello what if you use turtle beaches do you think there will still be a lag ? if anyone could reply this would great :}

[@jeovanniperez3949]

Will this fix d drop c tuning songs cus I can’t play any at all on my ps4 but all the other tunings are fine cus in the middle of a song that has d drop c tuning it supposedly keeps saying I’m missing the chords when I’m strumming them n it’s always on d drop c tuning

[@javierglc]

I have a PS4, is thsi solved if I use gaming headphones? My headphones aren't wireless

[@tanner3285]

If I'm a beginner. I'm at the bottem of the totem pole. Is there a way to make rocksmith go super slow and stay that way while I'm learning a song? I slow the speed down but when I go back to the song it switches back to regular speed.

[@maarcislv]

What if I don't have a delay, but when the actual song is played - some notes don't trigger or incorect ones trigger OR notes trigger with a slight delay

[@andrew1735]

now if only i wouldn't have trouble connecting my usb headset to the PC version of this game i would be so happy

[@nia79nia]

Solution: From XBOX ONE Use Optical cable from XBOX ONE, connect it to a converter (Optical > Coaxial), Connect Coaxial to Speakers. The main issue is that HDMI to TV Speakers has to high latency. Causes the delay/lag. After Setup you run game on TV without sound (mute TV) Sound comes from Speakers. Game is unplayable if you don´t have this or similar setup. The bottom line whatever game console you use. Run sound directly from console to Speakers. On XBOX 360 I think you have Coaxial output on console, in this case you do not need converter. Just Coaxial cables directly to speakers.

[@dillonpereira3150]

When you say connect it to a converter what do you mean by that

[@alidan]

i have the first rocksmith on the ps3, i have it go to my tv through hdmi and than have the audio go from my tv to speakers through optical cable and heard no lag at all... so, either i dont notice the lag at all, or i just got lucky with a great tv/pc monitor

[@felipeebs]

for those too lazy to read the instructions

[@ollieguitarman89]

instead going into pc speakers can i go straight from the xbox audio output to headphones?? cheers

[@timterwan]

I always plug my guitar/bass in my amp and plug the rocksmith cable in the output and in the ps3 so i get no latency from my amp

[@jackross7830]

This one comment helped me so much more than this whole video did

[@Demiigodd]

So the amp needs to have an USB port?

[@pmurphy5948]

Demiigodd I don't think so. I think you hook up the guitar to the amp traditionally. then you hook up the Rocksmith's cable from the "output" of the AMP into the Xbox

[@Blackoutpb14]

Wow i have this game for like a year and never tried this I'm doing this today and ill let you know how it goes

[@Blackoutpb14]

I ended up doing it exactly the way this video explains because I wanted to hear the generated tones that you are supposed to hear from specific songs rather then just the sound of the amp, so I'm not sure if this method works but in theory it should. I'm actually going to end up making another video explaining how to do this exact same thing on my channel but provide a link of what i bought, I'll show exactly what needs to be plugged in and where to make it a bit more clear. You do need external speakers to do it this way but it will get rid of the audio latency, I plan on making the video with in the next few days.

[@ChaceJeck]

What about PS4 or PS4 Pro?

[@gamersoul6996]

Optical cords

[@thelivinggutarist]

Why buy speakers? I'm assuming a lot of guitar players have amps, couldn't you just connect the 360 audio adapter to amp using an RCCa to 1/4" adapter?

[@crax83]

+Ian H That would work as well.

[@aguilao28]

I got the Xbox 360 console E. Wich do not has an audio ouput on it. What can I do?

[@SandraCastro-it2uh]

Mi hhjbjbkbkbjboilmj'm mnk

[@aguilao28]

Sandra Castro just saying

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

what about with PC or laptop?

[@MotivGuy94]

sooo...what about xbox one?

[@crax83]

+Genryūsai Yamamoto I think you can use the optical out from the xbone and connect it to your TV or home theatre.

[@ETSStealth]

What If I'm Using Headphones?

[@pip5528]

I would rather not go through all the trouble of buying adapters. I would rather just use the AV cable that came with my console since that will have no latency because It's analog, and analog technology doesn't have latency like digital technology such as HDMI does. Not to mention RCA audio is separate from composite video, as opposed to HDMI, which all goes into one port.

[@firestar4886]

So this would eliminate all lag then? If I just keep using my color, video, and audio cables that come with my 360?

[@TheBcoolGuy]

No. None of this is true. There is just as much of a delay with analog tech, and I don't think you can use these cables to connect this stuff. It's not so much about how fast the electricity is flowing in the cables, but the processing time once it has the input.

[@underthependulum3484]

What about PC

[@KamalCharles]

how fix the hissing problem ?

[@TheMetal0verlord]

What if I use a High Speed HDMI? Could that fix the audio lag problem?

[@yxz5198]

Dont use a yeti mic for this on ps4 Just dont

[@ganghu6370]

the game always tell me the guitar's volume is too low, and i have to play the guitar more harder than normal situation

[@jimmydousse8652]

Try to raise your pick up by using the set up screws on each side of your pick up.

[@A_massive_wog]

Sooooo this doesn't apply for PC?