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.
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: 50 ms of latency is like playing with someone 17 km away from you. At 200 ms, it's impossible to stay in rhythm — even at one beat per second, you hear your partner a fifth of a measure after they strike.
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.
On Windows: install ASIO drivers
On Mac, your audio interface drivers install automatically via CoreAudio — no action required. On Windows, an extra step is essential.
By default, Windows routes audio through WASAPI Shared — the system mixer that serves every consumer app (Chrome, Spotify, Zoom). That mixer imposes an ~10 ms incompressible floor that can't be bypassed in shared mode — it's an OS limitation, not a Jamodio choice. ASIO drivers, provided by your audio interface manufacturer, fully bypass that mixer and reach 2-3 ms.
👉 For the technical detail (Windows audio stack, comparison to competitors), see the article Understanding latency numbers, section "On Windows".
If you don't have an external audio interface yet, ASIO4ALL is a generic driver that improves built-in card performance. It's not as good as a real interface, but it's better than default Windows Audio. Use it while you wait.
- USB audio interface plugged in (no USB hub — directly into the computer)
- ASIO driver installed (Windows only)
- Wired headphones plugged into the audio interface, not the computer
- Jamodio agent running — it detects the interface automatically
- Test: speak into the mic → hear yourself in the headphones with no perceptible delay ✓