How To Eliminate MIDI Latency: A Step By Step Guide

Are you grappling with MIDI latency issues during your live performances or recording sessions? That frustrating delay between striking a key on your MIDI keyboard and hearing the sound can disrupt the flow of your music, turning an inspired session into a battle against time. 

I remember this in my first days of music production when I still didn’t have enough troubleshooting experience. This drove me nuts! I was that close to spending a fortune on new equipment that I did not need yet. 

But fear not! This post will give you a step-by-step guide for understanding and virtually eliminating MIDI latency just by optimizing your software-hardware connections.

That’s actually one of the things I talk about in my post on 31 tips essential for music production. You’ll also probably be interested in getting a good MIDI controller, so go check out my comprehensive roundup of the best MIDI keyboards on the market today. And if you’re starting your production journey, check out my ultimate vocal production guide and my guide for the best vocal production gear for 2025.

Dive in to transform your musical experience, ensuring your creativity isn’t hampered by technical glitches.

TL;DR: MIDI Latency

Combat MIDI latency effectively in your music production with a mix of software tweaks and strategic hardware choices. Before investing in new gear, try these proven steps:

• Optimize DAW Settings: Adjust buffer size and sample rate in your DAW.
• Select the Right Drivers: Use ASIO for Windows and Core Audio for Mac.
• Minimize System Load: Disable unused audio inputs and close background apps.
• Manage Connections: Prefer USB 3.0 or 5-pin MIDI cables and avoid wireless setups.
• Enhance Hardware: Use a dedicated audio interface and consider CPU or RAM upgrades if necessary.

These adjustments can make a significant difference, allowing you to focus on creativity rather than technical glitches.

Let’s first understand what is MIDI latency, or delay as they call it, and why it happens. Then, I’ll give you a step-by-step guide to deal with it.

What is MIDI Latency?

When I was starting out as a music producer, I was so annoyed by MIDI latency. Of course, I didn’t know it was called that when I first encountered it. I just saw that the notes registered a tad later than when I played them.

It threw me off, and I immediately felt there was a problem with my equipment. Little did I know that this is a very common problem and that it could be solved relatively easily.

That is a potential problem you could face even if you have the best MIDI keyboard. So let’s start with the basics.

Definition of MIDI and its role in music production

MIDI, the acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a pivotal technology in music production. It’s a standard protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, like your MIDI keyboard, and other devices to communicate and synchronize with each other.

Unlike audio signals, MIDI transmits data about notes, rhythms, and other musical instructions, enabling composers and producers to create, edit, and arrange music with a level of precision and versatility that traditional instruments can’t match.

I have a full Module with several lessons on Mastering MIDI in my new course 10 Day Singer-Producer. Check out my FREE Masterclass to learn more about it.

What is latency and why it matters?

Latency, also called Lag, refers to the delay between an action (like pressing a key on your MIDI keyboard) and hearing the resulting sound.

This delay is primarily due to the time it takes for the audio interface to process the digital signal and convert it into sound.

Even a slight delay can be noticeable and disruptive, especially during live performances or recording sessions, making the control and reduction of latency a crucial aspect of a smooth and responsive musical experience. 

The important question is why does latency occur.

Why Does MIDI Latency Happen?

While you may be ready right now for the solution, it would benefit you to first understand a little bit more about the ins and outs of MIDI latency.

How MIDI Data Is Processed

When you press a key on your MIDI controller, it sends MIDI data to your computer through the audio interface.

This data, which includes information about pitch, velocity, and duration, is then processed by your computer’s software to generate sound. The efficiency of this data transfer and processing, from controller to interface to computer, is the central issue affecting latency. 

Several factors contribute to the efficiency of data transfer and processing. Like a chain formed of many interdependent links, any delay at any link can disrupt the seamless translation of your musical input into sound.

Common causes often involve issues with your cable connection, an overburdened CPU, malfunctioning plugins, an excessively large buffer size, subpar computer specifications, a sluggish sample rate, or an incompatible audio driver.

Lastly, the input speed of the audio interface – how quickly it can process the incoming MIDI data and convert it into audio – plays a significant role in the overall latency of your setup.

Distinguishing between MIDI latency and audio latency

It’s important to distinguish between MIDI latency and audio latency. MIDI latency refers to the delay from when you press a key on your MIDI controller to when the MIDI data is received and processed by your computer.

In contrast, audio latency is the delay between the sound being processed by your computer and it being output through speakers or headphones.

Both types of latency affect the responsiveness of your setup, but they occur at different stages of the music production process.

Impact of Hardware Quality on Latency

The quality of your hardware, especially when incorporating 3^rd party devices and cables, can significantly influence latency.

Low-quality cables or poorly constructed connectors can introduce noise or degrade the signal integrity, leading to delays and compromised sound quality.

Ensuring that each component in your setup, from the MIDI device to the audio interface, is of high quality and compatibility is crucial for minimizing latency.

Here is my rule of thumb: If you want to make a living from music production, do not purchase new equipment unless you earn money from your music production to pay 50% of its cost.

USB MIDI setups: Convenience at a price

Hardware MIDI setups typically involve traditional MIDI connectors (5-pins) and are known for their reliability and low latency, especially in complex setups. USB MIDI setups, on the other hand, offer a more straightforward connection directly to a computer or USB hub.

While USB MIDI is convenient and supports a wide range of devices, it may introduce additional latency due to the processing layers and drivers involved in the USB protocol.

Now, enough with all the explanation of what and why. If you are still interested in understanding the intricate technicalities of latency, check this article by Ableton. It’s time to move to the how! Here is my step-by-step guide to virtually eliminating latency.

How to Eliminate Latency: A Step-by-Step Guide 

1. Optimize Buffer Size

Start by adjusting your buffer size. This setting dictates how quickly your sound card processes audio signals. A large buffer size might cause noticeable latency.

Access your DAW’s audio driver settings and reduce the buffer size, aiming for around 10ms. However, be cautious not to set it too low to prevent overloading your CPU, which could lead to glitches.

2. Fine-Tune Sample Rate

Next, review your sample rate. This rate indicates how many audio samples your system processes per second.

A low rate can lead to increased latency.

Boost your sample rate judiciously to minimize delay, but, again, avoid overtaxing your CPU, as a very high rate can lead to system strain and additional issues.

3. Choose the Correct Audio Driver

Select the appropriate audio driver for your system.

Standard drivers like Direct X or MME might not suffice for low-latency audio production. For Windows, opt for ASIO drivers, and for Mac OS, choose Core Audio drivers.

These are optimized for audio production and can manage low buffer sizes efficiently without overwhelming your processor.

4. Disable Unnecessary Audio Inputs

If you’re recording MIDI without external audio sources, consider disabling your audio input device.

This can decrease the processing load on your system, reducing the likelihood of latency, as your setup won’t have to handle both audio and MIDI signals simultaneously.

5. Edit or Quantize Post-Recording

If latency issues persist, you can manually adjust your MIDI notes post-recording.

This involves aligning off-beat notes to the correct timing or using quantization tools in your DAW to automatically correct the timing discrepancies caused by latency.

Of course, this only applies when recording. Live performance is another story.

6. Shut Down Background Applications

Close any unnecessary applications to free up CPU resources.

 Each open application consumes processing power, potentially leading to increased latency.

Use your system’s task manager to close background applications, especially those that are memory-intensive, to provide your DAW with more processing power.

7. Manage Plugins Wisely

Plugins can also contribute to latency. Temporarily disable all plugins while recording MIDI to check if latency improves.

If it does, reactivate them one by one to identify the problematic plugin. Once identified, keep it disabled during recording sessions to avoid latency.

8. Opt for the Right USB Input

Ensure your MIDI keyboard is connected through a USB 3.0 port for faster data transfer rates.

If your setup includes an audio interface or external sound card, confirm that the connection to your computer is stable and high-speed.

If your computer, audio interface, or MIDI controller does not have a USB 3.0 port, opt for using a traditional 5-pin MIDI cable. 

9. Avoid Wireless Connections for Audio Output

Wireless connections like Bluetooth or WIFI streaming can introduce significant latency. Always prefer wired connections for both audio output and MIDI devices to ensure the lowest possible latency.

We will spend some time on this blog going in depth in reviewing wireless MIDI controllers. So stay tuned.

10. Use a Dedicated Audio Interface

Instead of relying on your computer’s built-in sound card, which may not be optimized for audio production, use a dedicated audio interface.

These interfaces are designed to handle audio signals efficiently and often come with additional ports for MIDI devices, offering a more robust solution for managing latency.

11. Consider Hardware Upgrades

If all else fails, and latency persists despite software optimizations, your hardware might be the bottleneck. Upgrading your CPU or RAM can significantly improve your system’s ability to handle audio processing demands, thereby reducing latency.

For serious audio production, aim for a powerful, multi-core CPU and at least 16 GB of RAM.

If hardware limitations are too restrictive, it may be time to invest in a new computer optimized for audio production with adequate processing power and modern USB 3.0 ports.

Another crucial element is to have a reliable audio interface. Here is my roundup of the best audio interfaces on the market.

Summary

Here is a quick summary of this guide above:

• Optimize Buffer Size: Adjust your DAW’s buffer size to around 10ms for faster audio processing, balancing lower latency with CPU load to avoid glitches.
• Fine-Tune Sample Rate: Increase sample rate to decrease latency but monitor CPU load to prevent strain and issues.
• Choose the Correct Audio Driver: Use ASIO drivers for Windows and Core Audio for Mac OS for efficient low-latency audio production.
• Disable Unnecessary Audio Inputs: Turn off audio input devices not in use to reduce system processing load and minimize latency.
• Edit or Quantize Post-Recording: Manually adjust or quantize MIDI notes post-recording to correct timing issues caused by latency.
• Shut Down Background Applications: Close non-essential applications to free up CPU resources and reduce latency.
• Manage Plugins Wisely: Disable plugins while recording MIDI to identify and eliminate sources of latency.
• Opt for the Right USB Input: Use USB 3.0 ports or traditional 5-pin MIDI cables for faster data transfer and reduced latency.
• Avoid Wireless Connections for Audio Output: Prefer wired over wireless connections to minimize latency in audio output and MIDI devices.
• Use a Dedicated Audio Interface: Employ a dedicated audio interface instead of built-in sound cards for better audio signal handling and latency management.
• Consider Hardware Upgrades: Upgrade CPU and RAM, or invest in a new computer with powerful specs and modern ports to handle audio production demands and reduce latency.

Conclusion 

Latency is one of the more frustrating issues in music production. However, don’t rush into judging your equipment and taking out your credit card to buy more expensive ones. That may be an eventual decision, but if you are still a beginner, you might want to try out software remedies first. 

Sometimes changing the buffer size does all the magic, or maybe just buying a new good quality MIDI cable. So follow my guide before deciding to sell your laptop on E-bay. 

This blog aims to help beginners and intermediate music producers reach their full potential by offering music production tips, product reviews, and best-of lists for all kinds of equipment needed. 

FAQ

Do MIDI keyboards Have Delay?

MIDI keyboards can experience delay, known as MIDI latency, which is the time taken for key presses to be converted into sound. This delay can be caused by several factors including the processing speed of your computer, the quality of your MIDI interface, and the settings in your digital audio workstation (DAW).

Does The Quality Of The MIDI Cable Make A Difference?

The quality of the MIDI cable can impact the latency and the reliability of the signal transmission. High-quality cables ensure better shielding against interference and less signal degradation, contributing to faster and more stable data transfer, thus potentially reducing latency.

How To Reduce MIDI latency in Ableton?

To reduce MIDI latency in Ableton, navigate to Preferences, then Audio, and adjust the buffer size. Lowering the buffer size can reduce latency, but be cautious not to overburden the CPU. Choose the highest sample rate that doesn’t interfere with normal function. Also, enable ‘Reduced Latency When Monitoring’ for more immediate feedback during live performances.

How To Reduce MIDI latency in FL Studio?

In FL Studio, reduce MIDI latency by selecting the ‘Audio’ settings and choosing an ASIO driver for your audio interface, as ASIO drivers typically offer lower latency. Adjust the buffer length within the same settings window, keeping it as low as possible without causing clicks, pops, or glitches in the audio.

How To Reduce MIDI latency in Logic Pro X?

In Logic Pro X, reduce MIDI latency by going to Preferences > Audio and configuring the I/O Buffer Size. A lower I/O Buffer Size can lead to reduced latency. Also, consider using the ‘Low Latency Mode’ found under the Record settings, which bypasses plugins that add latency.

How Can I Achieve ZERO Latency?

Achieving absolute zero latency is theoretically impossible due to the inherent processing time in digital audio systems. However, modern audio interfaces and optimized DAW settings can reduce latency to levels that are imperceptible to human ears, offering a near-zero latency experience for most practical purposes in music production.