How to fix latency in Ableton Live?

Learn how to reduce and troubleshoot audio latency in Ableton Live.

Getting Started · intermediate level

Steps

  1. Lower the Buffer Size

    Go to Preferences > Audio and reduce the Buffer Size. 64 or 128 samples give the lowest latency for recording. Increase to 256-512 if you experience audio glitches.

  2. Use an ASIO Driver (Windows)

    On Windows, always use an ASIO driver for your audio interface. If your interface does not include one, install ASIO4ALL as a free alternative. ASIO drivers bypass the Windows audio engine for much lower latency.

  3. Enable Reduced Latency When Monitoring

    Go to Options > Reduced Latency When Monitoring. This bypasses latency-inducing plugins on the monitored track, so you hear the input with less delay while recording.

  4. Freeze CPU-Heavy Tracks

    Right-click tracks with heavy plugins and choose Freeze Track. This reduces CPU load and can help prevent audio dropouts that cause perceived latency.

  5. Check the Latency Display

    In Preferences > Audio, Ableton shows the Overall Latency (input + output). For comfortable recording, aim for under 10 ms total. The CPU meter in the top-right corner helps monitor system performance in real-time.

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