Why an external audio interface changes everything
- The built-in sound card adds 50 to 200 ms of software latency — too much to play together.
- A USB audio interface drops it to 2 to 6 ms thanks to dedicated converters.
- Minimum budget: €40–60 for something that just works.
- Headphones must be plugged into the audio interface, not into the computer.
- Once you've picked your card: configure it (selection + 48 kHz).
The problem with the built-in sound card
All computers have a built-in sound card. It's perfect for watching videos, listening to music, making calls. But for playing music in real time with other people, it has a deal-breaker flaw: latency.
To put it in perspective: in air, sound travels about 34 cm per millisecond. So 50 ms of latency is like playing with someone ~17 meters away — across a large hall, already hard to follow. At 200 ms (~70 meters), it's hopeless: you hear your partner far too late to stay together.
The operating system mixes sounds from all your apps (music, notifications, browser…) before sending the result to your sound card. That mixing takes time — an acceptable trade-off for everyday use, not for live music.
What a USB audio interface brings
An external USB audio interface bypasses the system mixer. It has its own digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and talks directly to the processor. Result: processing latency drops to 2–6 ms, basically imperceptible.
Bonus perks: XLR input for microphones, jack input for guitar/bass, headphone output with volume control, 48V phantom power for condenser mics — everything you need for a real session.
Which interface should you pick?
No need to spend hundreds of euros. Here are the options based on your budget:
- Behringer UM2 — 1 XLR/Jack combo input, 1 Jack instrument. Gets the job done.
- Behringer UMC22 — slightly better, MIDAS preamp.
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo — the home-studio market standard. Reliable, stable drivers, excellent sound.
- Steinberg UR22C — USB-C, very good too.
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 — 2 independent inputs (guitar + mic at the same time).
- PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 — solid alternative.
What about headphones?
AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC and all Bluetooth headphones add a significant delay — it's inherent to the wireless audio protocol. Live, you'll hear yourself play after striking the strings.
Wired headphones plugged into the audio interface — that's the only rule. Any wired headphones work. No need to spend €300:
- AKG K72 (~€40) — comfortable, neutral sound, perfect for monitoring
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (~€50) — entry-level studio reference
- Sennheiser HD 400S (~€60) — excellent comfort for long sessions
- Any wired headphones you already own — they'll work
The audio interface's headphone output also benefits from low hardware latency. Plugging into the computer re-introduces the system's software mixer.
Selecting input/output in Jamodio, setting 48 kHz, the ASIO driver on Windows — it's all in the dedicated guide: Configure your audio interface.