Telematic performance and the challenge of latency

Abstract

Any attempt to perform music over a network requires engagement with the issue of latency. Either latency needs to be reduced to the point where it is no longer noticeable or creative alternatives to working with latency need to be developed. Given that Online Orchestra aimed to enable performance in community contexts, where significant bandwidth and specialist equipment were not available, it would not be possible to reduce latency below the 20–30ms cut-off at which it becomes noticeable. Instead, Online Orchestra developed new software that controls network latency, locking it to musical tempo. This in turn enabled musicians to perform precise rhythmic music in a latency-rich environment.