Latency

Latency refers to the delay between an input signal (such as a played note or audio signal) and its corresponding output, either as sound from speakers or as processed data within a digital audio system. In audio production, latency is most commonly introduced by analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, buffer sizes in the DAW, and processing time from plugins or drivers. It is measured in milliseconds (ms), and even small amounts can affect performance, particularly during live recording or real-time monitoring. Managing latency involves balancing buffer size for stability versus responsiveness, and may require low-latency audio drivers such as ASIO or Core Audio for optimal results.