Rekordbox iOS App Audio Lag

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on an issue I'm having with the iOS app on an iPhone 12 Pro Max. I'm experiencing some audio lag when using a pair of Soundcore Liberty Air earphones. Yes, I know they're cheap but I've also tested with a pair of Sony WH1000XM3. While there is still lag between the waveforms and the audio it's not quite as bad, but still enough to make it difficult in setting beat grids and mixing 2 tracks.

I've been reading up about how the iPhone doesn't support APTX audio but the strange thing is that there is no lag when watching videos. I've tested with the YouTube app and also Plex. The video and audio are perfectly in sync. I'm not sure if that's because they're using a different codec than Rekordbox or what. I also tested through the iPhone speakers without BT audio and that seems fine.

I've just switched from Android to an iPhone pretty much just for the app so if I can't get any answers I'll be sending it back.

Pete Trimby January 26, 2021 14:44 Answered

Official comment

Pete,

Our engineers were investigating the reported lag issues in the iOS and Android versions, and this is what they said:

If it is the AAC codec used in iOS, there is no problem.

If it is the SBC codec used in many Android devices, there will be a latency of about 220ms.

There is no problem with the aptX codec.

This latency also occurs when the Bluetooth device sends a command to stop playback.

The user is probably using a device that uses SBC for Bluetooth.

Also, unfortunately, this codec issue is a problem with the device and is not something the app can do anything about.

Pulse June 03, 2021 16:00

Post is closed for comments.

Date Votes

3 comments

Hey Pete,

A few questions...

1) Which version of iOS is installed?

2) Which version of the app?

3) What type of audio files are you playing when this occurs?

4) You said this doesn't happen with the iPhone's speakers, is it only with those wireless devices you experience the lag?

Pulse January 26, 2021 18:13 0 votes

Hi Pulse,

To answer your questions....

1) Which version of iOS is installed? - 14.4

2) Which version of the app? - 3.1.2.5 (looking in the version section under support within the app)

3) What type of audio files are you playing when this occurs? - It's occurring with all files. I've tried wav and mp3.

4) You said this doesn't happen with the iPhone's speakers, is it only with those wireless devices you experience the lag? - it appears to be. As I said, audio from YouTube is fine. No lag between visual and audio.

I have also noticed since posting this is that the keystroke sounds are also delayed as it is with Rekordbox.

I know this is likely down to the combination of the iPhone's bluetooth audio and the devices I'm using rather than a fault with Rekordbox itself, but I'd be interested to know if anyone else is having the same issue as me using wireless earphones.

Cheers,

Pete

Pete Trimby January 26, 2021 19:46 0 votes