Specifications

Chapter 8: Delay Compensation 47
Delay Compensation Limit
The Delay Compensation limit is displayed in
samples in the Delay Compensation Engine
pop-up menu in the Playback Engine dialog.
This is the maximum amount of Delay Compen-
sation available for the session. This value is dif-
ferent depending on the session sample rate and
which Delay Compensation Engine option is se-
lected.
System Delay
Pro Tools adds the exact amount of delay to
each track necessary to make that particular
track’s delay equal to the total System Delay.
The total system delay is the longest delay re-
ported on a track, plus any additional delay
caused by mixer routing.
The System Delay is shown in the Session Setup
window (Session > Setup). Reference the re-
ported System Delay to monitor whether or not
you are close to exceeding the Delay Compensa-
tion limit.
Delay Compensation View
The Delay Compensation View displays the to-
tal amount of plug-in (TDM and RTAS) and
hardware insert delay (HD only), if any, on each
track. Delay Compensation View displays the
total amount of delay that Pro Tools applies to
each track. You can also apply an offset for track
delay on a track-by-track basis. The Delay Com-
pensation View can be shown or hidden in the
Mix Window.
To view Delay Compensation information:
 Select View > Mix Window > Delay Compensa-
tion.
Delay Compensation View
Indicators and Field
Delay (dly) Indicator
The Delay (dly) indicator reports the total plug-
in (TDM and RTAS) and hardware insert delay
on the track.
System Delay in Session Setup window
Pro Tools HD accounts for converter delays
when using Automatic Delay Compensa-
tion. However, when using non-HD hard-
ware, System Delay only displays internal
delay and does not take into account any la-
tency incurred by the analog-to-digital
(ADC) or digital-to-analog (DAC) convert-
ers in your audio interface.
System Delay
Delay Compensation View
Delay Compensation view only shows the
insert delay for each track. To view the com-
plete system delay, including mixer delays,
check the System Delay in the Session Setup
window.
Track
Compensation
Delay indicator
User Offset field
indicator