When playing music remotely, musicians must reduce or eliminate the issue of audio latency in order to play in time together. While standard web conferencing software is designed to facilitate remote audio and video communication, it has too much latency for live musical performance.[1][2] Connection-oriented Internet protocols subject audio signals to delays and other interference which presents a problem for keeping latency low enough for musicians to play together remotely.[3][4][5]

Software created specifically to minimise or eliminate some of the issues with Internet-related audio latency enables musicians to perform live music together over domestic broadband connections. The use of various compression and other techniques, together with affordable low-latency audio interface hardware (which most of the systems listed here are also optimised to work with), has reached a state in which it is practical for even large numbers of musicians to play or sing together without experiencing significant problems.[6][7][8]

The following table compares key features of software written for the expressed purpose of allowing musicians to perform music together over the Internet.  It does not attempt to cover subjective features such as sound quality or ease of use. However, some software on the list may address different aspects of remote collaboration better than others, or may be more suited to certain musical genres.

NameLicenceChargeArchitecturePlatformsSession type [a] Max. participantsSynch. [b] VideoCodecSample rateBitrateFirst releaseCurrent releaseDate
Bonza Music[9]ProprietaryFree to join sessions, Free trial, subscriptionP2PMac, WinClosed20Delay syncYesOpus & Uncompressed48 kHZ, 96 kHz, 192 kHz16-bitMarch 20262.0.3.22026-04-10
KoordGPLFreemiumClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidClosedUp to 75NoneYesOpus48 kHz132-894 kbit/s20211.4.472023-01-28
Jamstud.ioProprietaryFreeP2PWin, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed6NoneYesUncompressed44.1 kHz16-bitApril 20211.242021-11-9
SubliveProprietaryFree/donationwareP2PWin, MacOpen & Closed5Audio track[10]YesOpus48 kHz32-384 kbit/sMay 20210.422021-09-21
GroovesetterProprietaryFree plan or Free TrialP2PWin, MacClosed8 LocationsMixed[11]NoUncompressedFrom 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bitMay 20211.2.132021-08-08
Jam ConnectProprietaryFreemiumP2PWin, Mac, iOS, AndroidOpen & ClosedUp to 16 locationsTracks possibleYes[12]Opus & Uncompressed48 kHzAt least 16-bit20212.52021-10-01
JamulusGPLFreeClient/Server[3]Win, Mac, Linux, AndroidOpen & Closed100+ [13]NoneNo[14]Opus48 kHz132-894 kbit/s[15]2006 [16]3.11.0[17]2024-09-21
JammerNetzAGPL and MIT availableFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, LinuxClosed? [13]NoneNoUncompressed48 kHzdep. on # channels20192.0.02021-03-21
Digital StageProprietaryFree, restricted[18]VariousWin, Mac, LinuxClosed30Prototype testing[19]
SagoraGPLFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, RaspbianOpen & ClosedNoneOpus48 kHzMay 2020[20]1.12020-08
LoLaProprietaryFree/sharewareP2PWinClosed3 locationsNoneYesat least 1 Gbit/s20052.0.0b12019-10-18
JamKazamProprietary$0 - $19.99p/m[21]P2P, C/S[22][3]Win, Mac[23]Open & ClosedUnlimited (for $10+ plans)[21]MetronomeYes (paid plans)[21]48 kHz; 44.1 kHz2014 (?)1.0.3950?
SoundJackProprietaryFreeP2P, C/S[24]Win, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed[14]~60Noneβ (OSX)[14]Opus & Uncompressed48 kHz2006monthly updates2022-03-26[25]
JackTripMIT like[26]FreeP2P, C/S[3]CLI: Win, Mac, Linux?UnlimitedNoneNo2000 (?)1.3.0[27]2020-08-04
SonoBusGPL[28]FreeP2P via AoO[29]Win, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed10NoneNoOpus & Uncompressed48 kHz & 44.1 kHz2020-08-311.7.2[30]2023-12-11
HPS JamBSD[31]FreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed256NoneNo8/16/24/32-bit PCM and MIDI48 kHz2020-11-19v1.2.52022-10-12
Ninjam / NinbotGPL (Server only)$60[32]Client/ServerWin, Mac, Linux??Delayed Sync[33]No?REAPER 6.18?
JamtabaGPLFreeNinjam Client[34]Win, Mac, Linux??Delayed SyncYes2015-09-26v2.1.152020-06-30
Jammr.netGPLFree - $9.99p/m[35]Client/ServerWin, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed20Delayed SyncNo?1.2.922020-09-13
EndlessProprietaryFree - $4.49[36]?iOSOpen & Closed?MetronomeNo?1.1.22020-11-13
Ejamming AudioProprietary$9.95p/mP2P(?)Win, MacClosed4?No???
Rehearsal Live ShareProprietary$14.99p/m (directors)[37]Client/ServerWin, Mac, iOS, Android[38]Closed30[39]Audio trackYes??????
Solocontutti[40]ProprietaryFree to join sessions Basic and Pro subscriptions to start sessionsP2PWin, Mac, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed12MetronomeYes (limited)Opus44.1 kHz - 48 kHz100 - 500 kbit/s20133.1.142026-03-26
FarPlayProprietaryFreemiumP2PWin, Mac, LinuxClosedAbout 8YesUncompressed48 kHz768 kbit/s per audio channel2021-11-181.2.72024-05-08
Elk LiveOS is open source$15.99p/m + $399 bridgeP2PElk Audio OSClosed5 for now[41]Yes
Ringing RoomProprietary[42]FreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, iOSOpen16NoNo21.51[43]
LutefishProprietary$400 hardware $13p/m or $20p/m5/50Yes[44]48 kHzSummer 2024[45]2024-02-13
ovboxGPLFreeP2P/CSLinux, MacClosedUnlimited / up to 10 on Raspberry Pi 4BMetronomeYes (limited)Uncompressedup to 192 kHz20200.21.12024-02-19

Table Heading Notes

[a] - Whether the system supports public or private performance or playing.
[b] - Whether the system has a built-in mechanism for helping or enforcing the musicians to play together. For an explanation of "delayed sync" method see https://jammr.net/howitworks.html (or, more in depth, https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=2230659#post2230659)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Zoom: online rehearsals (vocal) | Making Music". www.makingmusic.org.uk. Archived 2020-12-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  2. ^ "Playing Music Together Online Is Not As Simple As It Seems". NPR.org. Archived 2020-12-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  3. ^ Rosen, Peter (2020-11-15). "Social Distancing For Musicians: A Quick Guide To Low-Latency Audio". Archived 2020-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  4. ^ Fischer, Volker. "Case Study: Performing Band Rehearsals on The Internet With Jamulus". Archived 2021-01-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  5. ^ Carôt, A.; Hoene, C.; Busse, H.; Kuhr, C. (2020). "Results of the Fast-Music Project—Five Contributions to the Domain of Distributed Music". IEEE Access. 8: 47925–47951. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2979362. ISSN 2169-3536
  6. ^ Wise, Brian (2020-09-07). "Long-Distance, Online Performances Without the Latency?". Brian Wise. Archived 2021-01-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  7. ^ "Virtual Jamming: The Latest Tools for Playing Together in Real Time". Acoustic Guitar. 2020-05-15. Archived 2020-12-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  8. ^ "Networked Music Performance: An Introduction". SmartMusic. 2020-09-25. Archived 2020-10-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  9. ^ "Record of the Day - In tune. Informed. Indispensable". www.recordoftheday.com. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  10. ^ Backing track with 'Sendahead' for synchronised output.
  11. ^ None under 400 miles. Delayed synch at longer distances.
  12. ^ Includes screen sharing and recording.
  13. ^ Limited only by server resources
  14. ^ "SoundJack: Real Time Online Music". Ian Howell, DMA. Archived 2020-11-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  15. ^ "Quality, Delay and Bandwidth – Jamulus Wiki". jamulus.io. Archived 2021-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  16. ^ "June 2020, "Community Choice" Project of the Month – Jamulus - SourceForge Community Blog". Archived 2021-03-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  17. ^ "Jamulus/Releases/Latest". GitHub. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  18. ^ Free for members of artistic associations and project partners.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Holger. "Noch ruckelt die digitale Konzertbühne | Ausgabe: 5/20 | nmz - neue musikzeitung". neue musikzeitung. No. 5/2020. Archived 18 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Sagora - Agora Sonora". sagora.org. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  21. ^ "What Are JamKazam's Free vs. Premium Features?". JamKazam. 2020-12-05. Archived 2021-01-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  22. ^ Free version is P2P only, commercial chooses faster route.
  23. ^ Wilson, David. "What Gear Do I Need to Play on JamKazam?". JamKazam. Archived 2021-02-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  24. ^ "Server - Soundjack". Archived 2020-12-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  25. ^ "Dev Status - Soundjack". www.soundjack.eu. Archived 2021-06-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  26. ^ "jacktrip/jacktrip". GitHub. Archived 2020-12-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  27. ^ "Releases · jacktrip/jacktrip · GitHub". GitHub. Archived 2020-11-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  28. ^ "SonoBus License". GitHub. Archived 2021-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  29. ^ "Audio Over OSC". GitHub. Archived 2021-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  30. ^ "SonoBus Releases". GitHub. Archived 2021-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  31. ^ "hselasky/hpsjam". GitHub. Archived 2021-05-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  32. ^ Requires purchase of a REAPER software licence.
  33. ^ Marraccini, Fabio (2020-04-06). "Best services for online music jam (2020)". AudioGeek11. Archived 2020-12-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  34. ^ "elieserdejesus/JamTaba". GitHub. Archived 2020-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  35. ^ "Get premium! | jammr". jammr.net. Archived 2020-11-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  36. ^ Includes in-app purchases for advanced features.
  37. ^ "Pricing/Ordering". Rehearsal Live Share. Archived 31 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Hardware Recommendations". Rehearsal Live Share. Archived 31 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  39. ^ "FAQs". Rehearsal Live Share. Archived 31 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  40. ^ Redactie, Onze (2013). "Op afstand samen muziek maken". Klank Wijzer
  41. ^ "Elk.Live Brings Musicians Together to Play Online". Geekazine. Archived 30 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Ringing Room". App Store. Apple Inc. © 2021 Matthew Goodship
  43. ^ "Ringing Room". ringingroom.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  44. ^ "10 Crazy & CREATIVE things at NAMM 2024", retrieved 2024-02-13
  45. ^ "10 Crazy & CREATIVE things at NAMM 2024", retrieved 2024-02-13