How is latency generally measured in digital systems?

Latency in digital systems is primarily measured in milliseconds or microseconds because these units provide a more precise understanding of the time delay involved in processing and transmitting digital signals. Latency refers to the time it takes for an audio signal to travel from the input point to the output point within the system.

Measuring in milliseconds or microseconds offers the granularity necessary to assess performance in scenarios where timing is critical, such as live audio applications or professional audio production. For example, latencies of a few milliseconds can impact the timing between musicians playing together, so understanding latency in these small time increments is essential.

Other measurement units such as decibels relate to amplitude or volume, while hertz refers to frequency, neither of which convey the concept of time delay inherent in latency. Seconds, while a valid time measurement, are generally too broad for the precision needed in digital audio systems, where quick response times are important. Thus, milliseconds or microseconds are the most relevant and appropriate measures for latency in this context.