The influence of perception latency on the quality of musical performance during a simulated delay scenario

Abstract

Audio perception latency can influence the performance ability of a musician. A phenomenographic study is conducted to discuss the issue of perception latency and determine the amount of latency musicians can tolerate. Potential contributing factors such as their musical training, studio experience, and ability to perform with a metronomic aid were taken into account. Upon completion of the performance aspect of the study, the researcher then conducted a semi-structured interview with each individual participant in which a series of questions were asked about the experiment.

It is found that musicians employ various techniques to compensate for perception latency and that there is a maximum amount of latency that musicians can tolerate during a musical performance.

Keywords: perception latency, reception latency, response latency, maximum latency, delay, optimal performance, tolerable performance.