Buffer Memory
A Buffer Memory (or simply Buffer) is a temporary storage area used to hold data while it is transferred from one place to another.
Its function is to manage the flow of data between two processes that operate at different or intermittent speeds, ensuring that the destination process always has data available when needed.
Practical Example in Audio
The most common example is the playback buffer in a DAW or streaming player:
The computer reads the audio from the hard drive (a fast process, but one that may have small pauses) and the stores in the buffer.
The sound card retrieves the data from the buffer to play it back (a process that needs to be constant and uninterrupted).
The buffer acts as a "shock absorber," ensuring that even if the hard drive has a slight delay in reading the next part of the audio, the sound card will still have data to play back. This prevents pops, clicks, and interruptions (dropouts) during playback.
Adjusting the buffer size in a DAW is a balancing act:
Small Buffer: Low latency (good for recording), but requires more processing power and can cause glitches.
Large Buffer: High latency (bad for recording), but safer for playback and mixing, as it gives the processor more "breathing room".