Garage Band latency issue when using Air Pods

Question

Level 1

11 points

Garage Band latency issue when using Air Pods

I wonder if anyone has a work around or a solution to a latency issue I am experiencing in Garage Band and other music creation software products. In this instance I have laid down a series of Apple loops as part of a new project. I am able to play back the Garage Band project on my iMac whilst listening to it via my Apple Air Pods without any latency at all. I have a Yamaha Motif XF6 music Keyboard connected via a stereo phono jack to the audio in socket on the back of my late 2011 iMac. When I opt to add and record a piano part to my project there is an approximate ⅓ to ½ second latency with the audio monitoring, but only my play back. The loops play back in real time, but my performance has a very annoying latency which makes recording practically impossible. The latency only occurs using Apple AirPods, and only when playing an instrument via the Built in Input (Audio In) socket.

Can anyone offer any advice or guidance on how this can be overcome or resolved if at all possible.

Many thanks

Rob

Posted on Jan 3, 2017 6:34 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 5, 2017 4:14 AM in response to Feltronc

This latency problem is occuring almost in every music/instrument app. So that kind of high quality equipment is not expected this false...!!!!

Reply

Answer 2

Feltronc

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2017 12:08 PM in response to Rob Hulford

Hi Rob,

Unfortunately, the audio latency problem you are experiencing is due to the Bluetooth nature of the Airpods.

Bluetooth technology creates latency, which most devices compensate by adding a measured amount of playback delay to a video source (like YouTube on your iPad or computer, etc.).

That's why you normally don't notice the delay.

However, since you are using a real-time source like your Yamaha workstation, there is no workaround to this.

I'm hopeful new versions of Bluetooth will reduce this latency to a point were we audio people can start using it for tracking.

Hope this answers your question!

Felipe

Reply