What is Interface Latency?

Interface Latency is the delay introduced by an audio interface when converting and transmitting audio between analog and digital systems. It is known for contributing to the overall latency experienced during recording and playback.

The delay typically occurs during analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, as well as internal processing within the interface.

Interface Latency emphasizes hardware performance, as different interfaces have varying speeds and efficiencies that affect how quickly audio is processed.

It works alongside buffer size and software processing to determine total system latency in a recording setup.

Today, Interface Latency is an important consideration in audio production, valued for its impact on real-time monitoring, performance accuracy, and overall system responsiveness.