Trapper456, My USB gaming headset with integrated headphone and microphones is likely similar to what you are using. You can not minimize your audio latency with your existing setup.

There are three solutions to your issue: (1) Use an external audio interface that includes direct monitoring. (2) Use different software that has a direct monitoring feature. (3) Update Band-in-a-Box to 2023 which has (new this year!) the direct monitoring feature.

Option 1: Most audio interfaces include an internal mixer that combines the outgoing computer audio signal with incoming audio coming from a microphone or instrument and then sends the combined audio signal to a headphone jack. The interface delays your incoming audio signal long enough for the incoming and outgoing audio signals to match. Not all audio interfaces have this feature and they all seem to have their on marketing name for the feature. Loopback, echo, direct input and direct monitoring are names I can think of off hand. The +++ Samson Go Mic +++ is a relatively inexpensive USB microphone with this feature. This from the webpage link:
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It also includes an 1/8″ (3.5mm) headphone output for zero-latency direct monitoring. This means there will be no delay between the audio you’re recording and the audio you’re hearing.


Option 2: Many DAWs have a button or setting that adjusts track audio output to match a recorded audio input. The DAW I use, Cakewalk by Bandlab, calls this echo and it is discussed in more detail +++ HERE +++.

Option 3: A +++ new feature +++ in 2023 Band-in-a-Box is audio input monitoring.
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Audio Input monitoring to hear your Audio Input (e.g., electric guitar with effects) through to Audio Out.
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This is like "Audio Thru" and it routes incoming audio to Audio Out.

To use this feature, you need to arm the track that you are recording to. Right-click on the track button in the Mixer and select the Arm Track for Audio Input Monitoring menu item, or right-click on the VU meters and select Arm Track from the menu.

The VU meters right-click menu has options to select an audio input. For example, if your audio interface has two inputs (right/left) and you want to record from a microphone plugged into the right input, select the Mono Right to Stereo menu item.

When the track is armed, blue borders are drawn around the VU meters. You can now monitor audio input along with the effects that you select on that track. For example, if you want to add a tremolo effect to your recording, right-click on the first slot in the Mixer, select Choose Plugin from the menu, and select a tremolo effect. Now, when you sing or play an instrument though the microphone, you will see it on the VU meters and you will hear it along with the tremolo effect.

Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home