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→Input Buffer/Latency
== Input Buffer/Latency ==
Interfaces often allow you to set the buffer size in terms of samples or miliseconds. Communication between the interface and the rest of the computer is not instantaneous or reliably timely. For a slower computer or one bogged down with other tasks, it may not be timely at all. This results in crackles and pops in the audio signal, as the stream is constantly being interrupted and dropped. To prevent this, the interface can buffer the audio stream, saving up a portion of the audio data in a temporary memory location where it can be reliably transported to the rest of the computerwhen the computer is ready to receive it. In turn, this means that it takes longer for the audio to get to where it is supposed to go, resulting in latency between the input into the interface and the DAW's ability to record, process, or monitor it.
While the DAW is smart enough to account for this latency, it may make it difficult for the player to record. This latency can be avoided by using <u>direct monitoring </u> (routing the interface's physical input directly to a physical output). It can also be minimized by using proper low-latency drivers (typically ASIO) and setting up your OS and DAW software to efficiently work with audio. Or you can use a more powerful computer.
Besides driver and OS settings, certain interfaces may be able to transport its data more quickly to the computer depending on the bus with which it uses to communicate. USB 2.0 or 2.1 can sometimes run into issues, although theoretically fast enough. Firewire is typically faster; however, this depends on the Firewire controller in the computer - some interface manufacturers recommend certain controller chips over others for best reliability and speed. Many interfaces come as Interfaces that use a PCI or PCI-e card that has its own cables to connect to other hardware or may benefit from being seated in higher slots on the motherboard to obtain a break-out box that houses all the I/O jacks and interface controlshigher priority for its interrupt requests. USB 3.0 is relatively new but should be more than fast enough to achieve imperceptibly low latency.
== Connecting to DAW Software ==