The Right Buff: How to Set the Buffer Size in Your DAW For Recording and Mixing

When working in your DAW, do you ever notice unexplained noises such as pops and clicks, or does the audio occasionally drop out for no apparent reason? Or maybe the audio signal is clean, but there is a delay from the moment you play (or sing, or speak) to when you hear yourself through your headphones. Perhaps there are times when your DAW just stops and displays an error message. Well, those snaps, crackles, and pops aren’t your breakfast Rice Krispies coming back to haunt you, and that delay is a common issue aptly referred to as “latency”. The error messages may simply be the result of not having enough CPU resources available to accommodate the task you’re trying to complete. While these are all a drag on your workflow, the good news is there’s a single setting in your DAW that can improve all three circumstances: Buffer Size.

Note: Some DAWs use different terminology for Buffer Size. For instance, Studio One uses the term “Block Size” instead. Consult your DAW’s User Guide if you have difficulty locating its Buffer Size setting.

 “Buffer Size” is the amount of space and time reserved for your computer to process the signal coming in from your audio interface or soundcard before sending it back out to you. The space is measured in digital samples, and the amount of these samples correlates to the length of time (measured in milliseconds) for this process to occur. The larger the Buffer Size is, the longer the process will take and the greater the latency will be. For example, a buffer size of 512 samples will result in a longer processing time (and more latency) than a buffer size of 64. There are several factors that contribute to Buffer Size performance, including the audio interface and its connection type, computer specs such as CPU and RAM, the Sample Rate of the recording/mixing session, and the amount of tracks and plugins that are active in the session.

Finding the best Buffer Size setting often requires some experimentation. The most common available settings range from 32 to 1024 samples, but sometimes extend beyond in one or both directions. A Buffer Size set too high will lead to an excess of latency, which can make recording very challenging. A Buffer Size set too low will bring about those unwanted noises and potential audio dropouts while recording. The goal is to find a setting that will produce a clean recording while keeping latency at an acceptable level for the performer. Simple recordings from microphones and instruments plugged directly into an interface don’t require a lot of CPU and can usually be tracked with a relatively small buffer size. Software-based virtual instruments, on the other hand, can be demanding on CPU and RAM and often require a larger buffer size.

Before recording a track that you plan to keep, try to find the smallest buffer size that doesn’t introduce noise or other artifacts by doing a few test takes. I find 128 samples to be a good starting point, then increase or decrease if needed. Most musicians find a setting up to 256 acceptable, but the lower you can go the less latency you’ll have to deal with. When you’re finished recording and ready to start mixing, set the Buffer Size to the largest (or one of the largest) settings available, preferably 1024 and up. This will free up valuable CPU resources for the processing that occurs during mixing. There’s no need to worry about latency at this stage. The only downside to a large buffer size while mixing is a slight delay from the time you press “Play” to the time playback occurs, but this is usually less than a second and well worth the processing power you’ll gain in exchange.

Buffer Size is one of the most important settings in your DAW, and one you’ll likely adjust frequently. Familiarize yourself with the settings available in your system, and give them a trial run before it’s time to hit “Record” on your best efforts. You’ll soon learn what works best for you while avoiding any audio glitches that might ruin a great performance. Your recording and mixing experiences will be smoother as well, allowing you to focus on giving your best performances and refining your mixes.

Which Buffer Size works best for you? Let us know in the comments section.