![]() Larger buffer sizes take the strain off the computer, for more reliable click-free performance, but introduce potentially problematic amounts of latency, as they constantly fill up with and empty out the streaming audio. The bulk of latency is caused by the digital audio signal being passed through the computer’s RAM on its way to be recorded to and played back from the slightly slower mechanical hard disk. The A-D and D-A converters in interfaces all produce a very small amount, but that’s typically only about a millisecond or so, which is insignificant from a musical standpoint. There are a few technical causes of latency. In simple playback situations like mixing with nobody performing live, it shouldn’t be noticeable at all, but in live recording sessions, where the player/singer is monitoring their own part while playing as it’s running through the computer/DAW, then it can potentially be audible, and possibly problematic. There’s always some amount of latency present, but it can range from vanishingly small and virtually imperceptible to enough of a lag that musicians can feel like they’re hearing their part as a slight echo in the headphones. Technically, latency means “wait time”, and it’s a result of the technical process by which audio is recorded and played back in any digital audio rig. Delay ThatĪ quick primer (or refresher): Monitoring Latency is the (inevitable) delay in an audio signal passing through a computer/DAW. ![]() Here are a few considerations to bear in mind when deciding what the optimal latency setting should be for a DAW setup, from the standpoint of its potential musical significance. While they know that, in general, low latency is a “good thing”, they’re not quite sure just how low they should go, or try to go, or what practical effect that may have. But outside of the ranks of more tech-savvy DAW operators, many producers and engineers only have a basic understanding of Latency. The latest high-end, high speed computer connections-Thunderbolt and USB3-promise the possibility of ultra-low latency settings, and manufacturers are quick to tout that advantage.
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