Quantized launch makes apps wait for the next quantum boundary before starting, enabling tight ensemble starts

When a Link-enabled app starts transport, it typically waits until the next quantum boundary to begin playback — this is called a quantized launch. The user sees a count-in animation or blinking play button. Because all participants share the same quantum boundaries, two users pressing play at roughly the same time will both start on the identical upcoming boundary, achieving a tight ensemble entry without explicit coordination. This is one of the most practically useful Link features for live performance with multiple devices. Ableton strongly recommends developers implement it, and it is the default behavior in Ableton Live.

Examples

Performer A presses play in Live; performer B presses play in Strudel 0.5 seconds later. Both apps wait for the next 4-beat boundary; both start together on beat 1. Compare to un-quantized launch: each app starts immediately, offset by the 0.5-second delay.

Assessment

Describe the user experience of a quantized launch vs. an immediate launch. Why is quantized launching more important in a multi-performer context than in solo use?