How much audio delay is noticeable

In general, the audio can arrive up to 45 milliseconds before the video, or up to 125 milliseconds after the video. Outside of this window of +45 to -125 milliseconds¹, it will begin to become noticeable and distracting for most people.

1. How many ms delay is noticeable?
2. How much audio latency is bad?
3. What audio latency can human detect?
4. How much latency is good for music?

How many ms delay is noticeable?

In one study, listeners found latency greater than 15 ms to be noticeable. Latency for other musical activities such as playing guitar does not have the same critical concern. Ten milliseconds of latency isn't as noticeable to a listener who is not hearing his or her own voice.

How much audio latency is bad?

While some keyboardists claim to hear a 5ms discrepancy in their performances, the vast majority of musicians are unlikely to worry about 10ms, and many should find a latency of 23ms or more perfectly acceptable with most sounds, especially pads with longer attacks.

What audio latency can human detect?

While we can't generally hear the effects of latency until they are around 15-30 milliseconds (ms), performers can begin to feel them at around 5-10ms. At 7ms, latency starts to mess with our ability to play or sing on top of or behind the beat. Sound starts to feel sluggish at 10ms.

How much latency is good for music?

Practiced musicians begin to feel discrepancies in time starting at latencies as low as 10ms. We know this because latency is monitored in recording studios and the maximum acceptable latency is 10–12ms. Higher latencies tend to distract musicians from their performance.