Sound Show

Overview

Sound Show is a desktop soundboard and multimedia player for organizing audio cues in live performances. It suits performers who need to coordinate layered sound, projected media, or automated sequences. Its free edition has meaningful capacity limits; Pro removes the sound and tab caps and adds show-control integrations.

Key features

Each sound can be layered or crossfaded, with its own volume and playback controls. That gives performers room to shape overlapping cues without treating the whole board as one audio stream. Sound Show also plays MP3, WAV, FLAC, MP2, WMA, OGG, and AIFF files.

For shows that combine audio with visuals, the software can project video, images, text, and webcam feeds to a second display. Sequences can start automatically, run together, pause for input, or use delays. Playlists add autoplay, shuffle, looping, and save-and-load options, making the software useful for repeatable cue runs as well as spontaneous playback.

Hotkey triggering is supported. Pro adds MIDI, Stream Deck, OBS, QLC+ lighting control, and Android remote integrations. The Android remote controls the desktop software when both devices share a Wi-Fi network. Free is capped at two audio outputs, compared with eight in Pro, which matters for more involved sound routing.

Pricing

Free: free. It includes most features, but limits users to 10 tabs and 40 sounds per tab, restricts visual customization, locks some modules, and allows up to two audio outputs. It is a practical starting point for smaller cue sets, but the caps may get in the way as a show grows.

Pro: €45, paid once, billed as a one-time payment. It provides unlimited sounds and tabs, custom grids, skins and icons, MIDI, QLC+, OBS, and Android remote integrations, plus up to eight audio outputs. For performers who need those integrations, more outputs, or room beyond Free’s caps, Pro is the relevant upgrade; those running smaller boards can stay with Free.

Platforms

Sound Show has a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus Android. The download requirements are Windows 10 21H1 or newer, macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, Linux x86_64, and Android 6.0 or newer. There is no browser app. The Android app serves as a remote for the desktop software over the same Wi-Fi network.

Who it's for

Sound Show is best suited to live performers who need a configurable cue board alongside media projection or automated sequences. Free fits smaller setups and lets users explore the main workflow; Pro is a better match for larger boards, additional audio outputs, and integrated lighting, streaming, or remote control. It is less suited to someone who specifically wants a browser-based soundboard.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Layering, crossfades, and per-track controls give performers independent control over concurrent sounds.
• Pro: Media projection and programmable sequences bring visuals and repeatable timing into the same performance tool.
• Pro: Pro includes integrations for MIDI, Stream Deck, OBS, QLC+, and Android remote control.
• Con: Free stops at 10 tabs, 40 sounds per tab, and two audio outputs, with limited customization and locked modules.
• Con: There is no browser app, and Android remote control depends on both devices being on the same Wi-Fi network.

Alternatives

Soundboard Software is the category directory for comparing soundboard options. Consider SoundTools Soundboard if you want a free option across web and mobile as well as desktop, with no account, install, watermarks, or limits.

AudioPad is another free option for Linux and Windows. Stadium Sound is free and available on macOS, Windows, and the web. Resanance is worth considering for free software with unlimited sounds and hotkeys, and support for multiple output devices.

Blerp may suit users looking for a voice-focused option, with a free tier that includes a voice library, basic filters, moderation, and word censorship. Soundplant is a paid alternative for macOS and Windows; its single-user license costs $69, paid once and lasts forever for the version purchased, with two years of free upgrades.

Soundboard Online is a browser-based alternative with a free plan and no cap on rooms, clips, or sessions. Amplitude Soundboard is a free option for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Verdict

Choose Sound Show if live performances call for audio cues alongside projected media, automation, and room to grow into show-control integrations. Its strongest case is the combination of cue management and multimedia playback; look elsewhere if you need a browser app or Free’s tab, sound, and output limits are too restrictive.