- What is latency?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- How do you fix latency?<\/strong><\/a>
- Check your system specs<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Optimize your computer<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Update your audio drivers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Adjust buffer size and sample rate<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Use direct monitoring (if applicable)<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to set the buffer size and sample rate in your DAW<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is latency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Audio latency is the amount of time it takes for your audio or MIDI signal to be sent into your interface<\/a> or computer, then have the signal sent through analog to digital converters into your DAW, back into your interface, then have it be converted back into analog to your outputs. Simply put, it\u2019s when there\u2019s a delay between your audio or MIDI input and the output of your headphones<\/a> or speakers. For example, if you\u2019re asking yourself \u201cWhy does my microphone have a delay?\u201d, that would be latency. Not only does this affect instruments like guitars and microphones, but latency also affects MIDI controllers<\/a>, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While each step in the process only takes milliseconds<\/a>, there are a variety of factors that can increase the amount of time each step takes, thus increasing the amount of latency. The most common reasons why latency occurs are the audio driver(s) and hardware you\u2019re using, and also the buffer size and sample rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow do you fix latency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned above, there are a variety of different factors that contribute to latency when you record. Assuming your computer meets your DAW, virtual instrument, and effects plug-ins meet system requirements, let\u2019s go over some of the ways you can fix latency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCheck your system specs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this necessarily doesn\u2019t help you fix latency per se, it most certainly helps you determine what your system can handle, specifically the CPU<\/a> and the RAM<\/a>. If your system doesn\u2019t meet at least the minimum specs, the amount of latency can be greatly increased as this directly ties in with your buffer size and sample rate. Learn more about how to find your computer specs<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nOptimize your computer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most computers on the market today aren\u2019t made with audio production in mind, and many DAWs and plug-ins require certain amounts of resources from your computer. These resources include hard drive space, RAM, operating system, and processor. If the resources are being used elsewhere it can affect performance and result in latency when recording. With that in mind, one simple thing to do is to optimize your computer for recording. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nUpdate audio and MIDI drivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out-of-date drivers can also contribute to recording latency, so check your audio or MIDI interface manufacturer\u2019s website to see if they released new audio drivers recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWindows audio drivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using a USB microphone<\/a> or audio interface<\/a> that doesn\u2019t have a dedicated driver, or connecting directly to your computer\u2019s audio input port <\/em>on a Windows PC, be sure you use the third-party ASIO4ALL driver. While audio software can use standard Microsoft audio drivers (MME, WDM, WASAPI)<\/em> using an ASIO driver is preferred as it\u2019s specifically made for professional audio software. Check out our article on the differences between audio drivers<\/a> and also how to install and use ASIO4ALL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAdjust the buffer size and sample rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the easiest ways to improve latency is to adjust the buffer size<\/a> and sample rate<\/a> within your DAW. These two things directly affect how the latency is set and how fast samples are being recorded. If you like math, here\u2019s an equation that will give you a general idea of latency in a typical ASIO<\/a> configuration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just divide the buffer size by the number of samples per second (sample rate). For example, if you have your buffer size set to 256 and your sample rate at 48 kHz, divide those two and you\u2019ll get 5.3 ms. If you change the settings to 512 and 48 kHz, however, it\u2019ll average out to 10.6 ms.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nUse direct monitoring (if applicable)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some audio interfaces have a direct monitoring switch or blending knob that allows you to hear what you\u2019re recording in real time with no latency. The way it works is that it sums the input signal and routes it directly to your main outputs or headphone outputs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Direct monitoring does not <\/strong>process the post effects signal, which means only the dry signal will be monitored. For example, if you\u2019re recording vocals and have a reverb effect or auto-tune, you won\u2019t be able to hear those effects.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Return to top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to set the buffer size and sample rate in your DAW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After you\u2019ve optimized your computer and have the latest audio or MIDI drivers installed, the last thing you\u2019ll want to do is to go into your DAW\u2019s audio settings and update the buffer size and sample rate. A good rule to remember when it comes to buffer size is low for tracking<\/a>, high for mixing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You want a lower buffer size when tracking to ensure minimal delay. But when you\u2019re mixing, you want to raise the buffer size so the computer can process a wider scope of tasks (such as processing a lot of plug-ins). For more information, read our article Which Buffer Size Setting Should I Use in my DAW?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- A lower buffer size will create less audible delay but will make your computer work harder.<\/li>
- A higher buffer size will create more audible delay but will free up resources for your computer to use on other processing tasks.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some interface drivers may include a dedicated control panel where you can adjust its sample rate and buffer size. Depending on the DAW and interface, they may sync, but click on your DAW from the list below to learn how to adjust its buffer size:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbleton<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
FL Studio<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nBitwig<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro Tools<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nCubase<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sonar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nDigital Performer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studio One<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Ableton<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are the steps to adjust your buffer size in Ableton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Go to Setup<\/strong>, then select Playback Engine<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li>
- Your session will restart.
- For more tips, check out Ableton\u2019s article on reducing the CPU load<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Buffer](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2014\/04\/Ableton-Live.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBitwig<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow the steps below to adjust buffer size in Bitwig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Choose Options<\/strong>, then click Preferences<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Select the Audio <\/strong>tab.<\/li>
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu labeled Buffer Size<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Buffer](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/06\/Bitwig-Studio.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCubase<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below is a list of steps to help you adjust buffer size in Cubase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Go to Devices <\/strong>and select Device Setup<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Choose VST Audio System<\/strong> on the right.
- Make sure your interface is selected in the drop-down menu at the top.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Select your interface under VST Audio System<\/em> from the list on the right.<\/li>
- Click Control Panel<\/strong> and choose your buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Steinberg](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/07\/Steinberg-gui-samplerate.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDigital Performer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow the following steps to adjust buffer size in Digital Performer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Choose Setup<\/strong>, select Configure Audio System<\/strong>, and click Configure Hardware Driver.<\/strong><\/li>
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Buffer](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/06\/Digital-Performer.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nFL Studio<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To adjust buffer size in FL Studio, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Go to Options<\/strong>, then select Audio Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"FL](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/07\/FL-Studio-Audio-Settings-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPro Tools<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adjust buffer size in Pro Tools by following the steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Go to the Setup <\/strong>tab and click Playback Engine<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li>
- Your session will restart.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Choose the buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Click Control Panel<\/strong> and choose your buffer size from the drop-down menu.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Choose VST Audio System<\/strong> on the right.
- Select the Audio <\/strong>tab.<\/li>
- Choose Options<\/strong>, then click Preferences<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Go to Setup<\/strong>, then select Playback Engine<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Optimize your computer<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- How do you fix latency?<\/strong><\/a>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/06\/Pro-Tools.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Sonar](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/07\/Sonar-Sound-settings.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Studio](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/07\/Studio-One-sound-settings.png\")
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