There are generally two buffer settings within a computer audio system:
- The buffer setting in an audio interface (i.e. the UA-101) adjusts the INTERFACE's access to the computer's RAM (buffer).
- The buffer setting in your recording software (e.g. Sonar, Pro Tools, Logic, etc) adjusts the SOFTWARE's access to the computer's RAM.
These two buffer settings are independent of each other; however, each affect the performance and latency of a computer audio system.
To lower latency, lower the buffer setting of the audio interface (i.e. the UA-101) first.
NOTE: Lowering the buffer setting too much can causes the computer too work harder and can result in clicks, pops, dropouts and instability.
Windows
- Select "Control Panel" from Windows' Start menu.
- Double-click on the UA-101 icon to open the UA-101 driver settings window.
- In the UA-101 driver settings window, decrease the Audio Buffer Size and then click "Apply".
- Then test the latency in the audio software being used. If the sound quality is still good (free of pop/click/distortion), then try decreasing your Buffer Size again for even lower latency. At some point, there will be a happy medium between sound quality and low latency.
Mac OS X
- Click on the Apple icon on the top left of the screen.
- Select on "System Preferences".
- Towards the bottom of the System Preferences window, double-click on the UA-101 icon to open the UA-101 driver settings window.
- In the UA-101 driver settings window, decrease the Audio Buffer Size and then click "Apply".
- Then test the latency in the audio software being used. If the sound quality is still good (free of pop/click/distortion), then try decreasing your Buffer Size again for even lower latency. At some point, there will be a happy medium between sound quality and low latency.
Notes:
- If the there is still too much latency, lower the buffer setting in the audio software (DAW) being used. Contact the software manufacturer for proper buffer setting adjustment and troubleshooting latency within their software.
- If there are plug-ins and/or software instruments being used, these may be causing the higher latency and should be troubleshot with the software manufacturer.