1. What is Audio Latency?

Audio latency refers to the delay between when an audio signal enters a system and when it emerges from the system. It's a critical factor in digital audio processing, live sound, and recording applications where timing is essential.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the audio latency formula:

Where:

• Buffer Size — Number of samples processed at once
• Sample Rate — Number of samples processed per second (Hz)

Explanation: The formula calculates the time it takes to process one buffer of audio data, converting from seconds to milliseconds.

3. Importance of Audio Latency Calculation

Details: Accurate latency calculation is crucial for real-time audio processing, live performances, and recording sessions where low latency is essential for synchronization and performer comfort.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter buffer size in samples and sample rate in Hz. Both values must be positive integers. Common sample rates include 44100Hz, 48000Hz, 96000Hz, etc.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered acceptable latency for audio applications?
A: For recording, 5-10ms is ideal. For live sound, under 20ms is generally acceptable. Above 30ms becomes noticeable and problematic.

Q2: How can I reduce audio latency?
A: Use smaller buffer sizes, higher sample rates, optimize drivers (ASIO on Windows), and use dedicated audio interfaces instead of built-in sound cards.

Q3: Does sample rate affect audio quality?
A: Higher sample rates can capture higher frequencies but require more processing power. 44.1kHz or 48kHz is standard for most applications.

Q4: Why does buffer size affect latency?
A: Larger buffers mean the system processes more samples at once, creating more delay before the audio is output.

Q5: Are there other factors that contribute to total system latency?
A: Yes, additional latency comes from A/D and D/A conversion, driver processing, plugin processing, and physical transmission delays.