SonoBus
SonoBus streams real-time audio between devices over the internet or a local network.
What SonoBus is
SonoBus streams real-time audio between devices over the internet or a local network. Users join by choosing a group name, with an optional password, and can adjust latency, quality, and the mix. Optional audio controls include compression, a noise gate, equalization, and master reverb. Sessions can be recorded, and users can play audio content to the group. SonoBus supports uncompressed PCM at 16, 24, or 32 bit and compressed Opus at 16–256 kbps per channel. It is free software for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, with AU, VST, and AAX plugins on macOS and Windows, and VST3 and LV2 plugins on GNU/Linux. It does not encrypt data communications: audio travels peer-to-peer, while a connection server helps group members find each other. The guide describes it as intended for people who already have a group to share real-time audio. Practical participant counts depend on device, network, and bandwidth conditions. It does not use echo cancellation or automatic noise reduction, and headphones are recommended with a live microphone.
Good
- Free software for five listed platforms
- Supports group audio recording and playback
- Offers multiple audio controls
- Available in several plugin formats
Watch out
- Data communications are not encrypted
- No echo cancellation or automatic noise reduction
- Participant capacity depends on device and network conditions
Who it suits
SonoBus suits people who already have a group for real-time audio and want recording, playback, or mix controls across supported platforms. It may also suit DAW users who want to use its plugin formats.
Verdict
SonoBus provides free real-time group audio with recording, playback, and plugin options. Its unencrypted communications and lack of echo cancellation are important limitations to consider.
Plans and prices
From SonoBus's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SonoBus | Free | Free software · standalone apps and audio plugins |
The facts
Each one read from SonoBus's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience and limits
- The user guide describes SonoBus as intended for people who already have a group to share real-time audio and says practical participant counts depend on device, network, and bandwidth conditions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Audio controls
- Users can adjust latency, quality, and mix, with optional compression, noise gate, equalization, and master reverb.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Audio quality
- SonoBus supports uncompressed PCM at 16, 24, or 32 bit and compressed Opus at 16–256 kbps per channel.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Echo handling
- SonoBus does not use echo cancellation or automatic noise reduction, and the maker recommends headphones when using a live microphone.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Group sessions
- Users connect by choosing a group name and can optionally protect the group with a password.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The user guide describes using SonoBus as a VST plugin filter in OBS and running Zoom alongside it for video.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Local server option
- The user guide says users can specify their own connection server, and the standalone app can provide connection-server functionality on a local network.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Network requirements
- The maker recommends wired Ethernet for lower latency and says Wi-Fi can require a larger jitter buffer and increase latency.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Plugin formats
- The app is available as AU, VST, and AAX plugins on macOS and Windows, and VST3 and LV2 plugins on GNU/Linux.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SonoBus streams high-quality, low-latency audio between devices over the internet or a local network.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Recording and playback
- Users can record session audio and play audio content to the group.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- SonoBus currently does not encrypt data communications; audio travels peer-to-peer, while the connection server helps group members find each other.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to its Google users group, support email, and Discord server for feedback and answers.checked 4 Oct 2026
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