Delay describes the time interval between the generation of a sound signal or control command and its actual hearing or action. In technical terms, this quantity is measured in seconds or milliseconds. Although the term is known worldwide as the name of the artistic echo effect, where repetitions of sound are intentionally created, in the context of audio interfaces and computer systems this time delay is often referred to as latency. Latency represents the time it takes for the computer to process digital audio, and is a critical factor for musicians, as high delays can hinder performance during real-time recording.