Latency
Definition
The delay between input and output in a digital audio system, primarily determined by Buffer Size and Sample Rate. Measured in milliseconds. Critical during recording and monitoring, less significant during mixing.
Context
Latency is an inherent characteristic of digital audio processing. Round-trip latency includes the time for audio to travel from an input, through the computer’s processing, and back out to the monitors or headphones. Most performers find latency above 10-12ms noticeable and distracting. Many audio interfaces offer direct monitoring to bypass software latency during recording.
Related Terms
Recording-Talk Perspective
In recording-talk, latency is discussed primarily in the context of headphone monitoring for performers. The community emphasizes that delayed own-voice monitoring is disorienting for singers, and that direct monitoring or low-buffer-size operation is essential for comfortable tracking sessions. See Headphone Mixes and Cue Systems for practical monitoring approaches.