From Fuesboard:
[quote]collaborate on the internet by creating Virtual Bands and Live Music[/quote]

Good luck, man, but that live music won't come from musicians who are separated
by much distance (much over a few thousand miles, that is).  Not unless they
repeal the speed limit on light.  Not to mention optimized programs for live
transmission (with minimized latency).

But don't let me discourage you!  I'd sure like to see a good cheap or free
optimized real-time music datacaster. (Gee, would that be a new Fender guitar?)

What does it really take?  Well, let's say under 50 msec round trip latency.
That's too big for really tight music, but it's comparable to two players
standing about 28 feet apart, each listening to the other player's sound
coming from where the other player stands, without floor monitors and such.

That allows 25 msec delay per direction.  If the soundcards & computers at
both ends are well-tuned, they have latencies of about 5 msec.  Sure, you
can get lower but let's use 5 as a good typical number.  That's 5 msec at
each end for a total of 10 msec for soundcard latency.  There will also
be a latency associated with getting the audio data onto and off of the
network.  Assuming very well-oiled networking software (like our well-oiled
soundcard drivers), let's take that as about the same 5 msec, for much the
same reasons.  It's probably more on most computers since there's little
need to optimize consumer network software for such low latencies.  That
leaves 5 msec for travel time, or about 1000 miles, assuming the routers
inbetween handle packets instantaneously.  (They won't, but it's not
unusual to get 10 msec round-trip ping times to nearby locations when
you're on a high-speed link.)

So, for nearby locations, 50 msec is doable -- maybe even today (depends
on untested network software, including converting to mp3 or whatever).
But as we go over 1000 miles, we'll need to reduce latencies in soundcard
drivers and audio networking software.  Assuming perfection there to
calculate an upper limit, we get 5000 miles limit for a 50 msec max
latency.  Of course, that's with no network delays, and assuming the cable's
laid as the crow flies.  Well, we might one day be able to get coast-to-coast
live jamming.  But certainly not intercontinental.  Too bad! :(

Well, that or we put up with sloppy timing!  (That means I get to play!)  :)