The Secret to Setting Buffer Size
If you're someone who wants to record and release their own music, you'll eventually run into one (or both) of these situations:
You sit down to record a new idea, hit record, start playing, and immediately have to stop because the delay is so bad you can't play in time.
You're working on a mix, and suddenly, every time you press play, there's a bunch of clicking, popping, and playback errors.
Both of these issues can instantly kill your creative momentum, especially if you don't know what's causing them or how to fix them.
Thankfully, both are avoidable with one simple setting. That's why today, we're going to break down buffer size.
What it is?
Why it matters?
How to set it correctly so you can stay in the zone and keep creating?
What is Buffer Size and Why Does it Matter?
Buffer size is the number of audio samples your computer processes before outputting them.
It controls the balance between latency (the delay between input and output) and how hard your CPU has to work.
A small buffer size reduces latency, which makes real-time monitoring while recording possible. However, it puts more stress on the CPU because it has less time to process the incoming audio before it needs to output it.
A large buffer size eases the strain on the CPU, which is helpful when mixing with lots of plugins. But it can significantly increase latency because the CPU has more time to process the audio before sending it out.
What Buffer Size to Use When Recording
When recording, you should set your buffer size as low as your audio interface and CPU can handle.
Aim for a setting between 32-128 samples. This range should allow for low enough latency that you won't notice any delay when using real-time input monitoring.
However, keep in mind that if you set the buffer size too low for your CPU to handle, it won't be able to process the audio quickly enough. You'll start to hear clicking, popping, and possibly even experience software crashes.
Start by setting the buffer size to 128. If the latency (delay) is noticeable, slowly lower the buffer size until you no longer feel a delay.
Warning: If you start hearing clicking and popping, try disabling plugins that you don't need while recording. If your DAW supports it, you can also freeze tracks you aren't currently working with to lighten the CPU load.
What Buffer Size to Use When Mixing
Once you're done recording, latency doesn't matter anymore. You can crank the buffer size up as high as it will go to give your CPU all the time it needs to process whatever plugins you throw at it.
Depending on your mix session and computer, clicking and popping are still possible even at the highest buffer size. Even high-end computers can struggle when working with tons of tracks that have multiple plugins each.
This is part of why mixing with groups and using bus processing is such a great workflow, but that's a topics for another time.
For now, if you experience issues even at the highest buffer size, try freezing or bouncing down tracks that you're finished with to take some of the load off of your CPU.
What to do When Writing?
What if you want to write and record at the same time and have it not sound terrible?
This is where a writing template can come in handy.
A writing template is a carefully set-up session with as few tracks and plugins as possible. The goal is to create a decent sounding static mix while keeping the buffer size low enough to record without noticeable delay.
For example, if you're a rock guitarist, you could set up a session with:
A track for a mix-ready virtual drum kit
A track with a bass amp sim or virtual bass instrument
A few tracks with guitar amp sims (clean, lead, rhythm, etc.)
Then, balance these tracks together using as few plugins as possible. The goal is to get the best sound you can without overloading your CPU.
Final Thoughts
By adjusting the buffer size based on whether you're recording, mixing, or writing, you can avoid technical frustrations and stay in the creative zone. It's one of those small things that makes a huge difference when you're trying to stay creative.
Hopefully, this guide helps you spend less time troubleshooting and more time making the music you hear in your head.
What’s been the biggest struggle for you when recording or mixing? Let me know in the comments!
-Anthony