Work with plug-in latencies

Audio processed through some plug-ins is subject to small timing delays, known as latency. For example, a software instrument running inside Logic Pro will only have an output latency, because it’s generated inside the application. An audio recording that is being monitored in real time will have both an input and an output latency. These two values are summed, resulting in an overall monitoring latency figure. Each further process—such as the use of an effect plug-in, for example—may also add an amount of latency, which is combined with the input and output latency figure, depending on whether a software instrument or audio channel strip is in use.

In Logic Pro, you can compensate for internal latencies introduced by plug-ins, ensuring that all track and channel strip output is perfectly synchronized.

You can also turn plug-in latency compensation on or off, for audio and software instrument tracks or for all channels (audio, instrument, aux, output, and ReWire). When this setting is turned on, Logic Pro compensates for latency introduced by plug-ins, ensuring that audio routed through them is synchronized with all other audio. This is achieved by calculating the amount of latency caused by plug-ins, and then delaying audio streams by an appropriate amount—or shifting instrument and audio tracks forward in time.

Turn on Low Latency mode

Do one of the following:

Plug-ins will be bypassed to ensure that the maximum delay that can occur across the entire signal flow (of the current track’s signal path) remains under the Limit slider value in General Audio preferences.

The sound may change when you turn on Low Latency mode. Depending on the plug-ins in use, the change in sound can be anything from subtle to dramatic. If plug-ins being used do not exceed the total latency limit, there will be no audible difference.

Turn on plug-in latency compensation

  • If latency-inducing plug-ins are inserted into audio or instrument channel strips, Logic Pro automatically shifts these tracks forward in time. The advantage of this method is that other channel strips (that do not contain latency-inducing plug-ins) do not need to be delayed.

  • If latency-inducing plug-ins are inserted into aux or output channel strips (or ReWire channels, if used), Logic Pro delays all other audio streams by an appropriate amount.