Latency

This guide provides resources for how to minimize latency when creating within Soundtrap. 

Table of contents:

What is Latency?
Latency when using Monitoring
Recorded vocals don't align with other audio tracks

What is Latency?

The simplest way to define latency is that it is the time that it takes for your input (MIDI
keyboard, guitar, or mic) to get to your output (speakers or headphones). In a worst-case
scenario this means you often have to manually re-align your performances to the beat of your
song or the rest of the music in your project, and that you hear yourself delayed when having
monitoring enabled.

So, if you’ve been noticing a delay in your recordings, latency is the likely culprit. Here’s some
troubleshooting options for you to reduce latency:

Latency when using Monitoring

Unfortunately, real-time monitoring latency cannot be completely eliminated, as it depends on
the microphone you are using, your operating system, and the effects you are adding to your
tracks. However, switching to a wired audio device can significantly improve your experience. If
you’re still facing issues, try enabling Sountrap’s Low Latency Mode in the Settings Menu for a
better monitoring performance.

1. Calibrate your Microphone

Latency can increase when using wireless devices like Bluetooth headphones or speakers. To
minimize this, try switching to a wired connection for better performance.

2. Check your I/O Devices

Latency varies depending on the device and operating system used. In general, Mac OS tends
to experience less latency compared to other operating systems like Windows or Chromebook.
Here are some tips to reduce latency:

For Windows users:

● Use a high-quality USB microphone with low-latency audio capabilities — using a
USB 3.0-compatible microphone with a USB 3.0 port on your computer will give the
lowest latency
● Reduce buffer size in your audio interface settings to a lower value, between 64 and
128 samples
● If possible, increase your system sample rate
● When using an audio interface, be sure to use it for both input and output
● Use an external mic instead of your computer’s built-in mic to improve latency

For Mac Users:

● Use an audio interface that supports Core Audio for best performance
● When using an audio interface, be sure to use it for both input and output
● Use an external mic instead of your computer’s built-in mic to improve latency

For Chromebook users:

● Use a high-quality USB microphone with low-latency audio capabilities
● Use an external mic instead of your computer’s built-in mic to improve latency

3. Use Low Latency Mode when recording

If your project includes latency-inducing effects, your device may struggle with playback,
causing latency. To minimize this, enable Low Latency Mode in the Settings Menu. This
temporarily disables all effects prone to inducing latency, improving the recording experience.
You can disable it at any time.

4. Use the Soundtrap Desktop App (Mac-only)

To reduce browser-based latency, download the Soundtrap desktop app — available from the
“Download Soundtrap for Mac” link on https://www.soundtrap.com/home/ when logged in.

5. Update and Restart your Browser

Soundtrap is browser-based, and its performance can be affected by your browser’s
performance. To improve this:

● Update and restart your browser
● Use a private / incognito browser window
● Clear your browser’s cache
● Close unused tabs and turn off power-consuming apps

Recorded vocals don’t align with other audio tracks

This may happen if your mic’s roundtrip latency doesn’t sync with Soundtrap’s default settings.
To resolve this, use Soundtrap’s Latency Calibration. Steps:

● Open your Voice & Mic track
● Click on “Calibrate” in the instrument panel
● Follow the steps under Latency Calibration to improve synchronization

If you still experience issues, you can aim to minimize overall latency, using the steps described
under Latency when using Monitoring. When switching between audio interfaces or
microphones, make sure to redo the Latency Calibration for an optimised experience.