Musicians from past generations could only dream of the technology we have today. With the power of video conferencing, music professionals can now write, record, mix, master, and teach live lessons over the internet.
However, too many of us experience the inevitable lag from using CPU-heavy digital audio workstations over Zoom or Skype.
Fortunately, several low latency platforms exist to ease the qualms that artists, audio engineers, and music educators know all too well. Below, we compare and contrast some of the top video conferencing platforms available for musicians.
Why is video conferencing as a musician so complex?
COVID-19 brought along a significant shift in the music industry. The process of writing, recording, and distributing music is more online than ever.
Most musicians utilize video conferencing for one or more of the following use cases:
- Live recording
- Songwriting
- Composing
- Jamming
- Band rehearsal
- Teaching music lessons
- Mixing and mastering
Most, if not all, of these use cases require a live video stream, HD audio on both ends, and a live view of a highly dynamic workspace like Avid’s Pro Tools, Ableton Live, or Logic Pro.
There are some ways you can optimize generalized software like Zoom to mitigate lag, but the reality is that most systems lack the optimization for use with CPU-heavy gear. In the long run, professionals are better off investing in gear built with DAWs and low-latency recording in mind.
Create together remotely, in real time
Top video conferencing tools for musicians
Without further ado, here are some of the best video conferencing tools for musicians, specially selected for ultra-low latency. We'll start with our own, Evercast.
1. Evercast
Evercast provides industry-leading software for collaboration at every stage of the creation process. The platform offers low-latency streaming in up to 7.1 surround sound, with video streaming and screen share in up to 4K resolution at 60fps. Your video sessions are interactive with the on-screen draw tool, chat and time-stamped notes, and 4K screen sharing. The latency is a predictable 150ms globally, so you can time live sessions accordingly. Plus you can stream or screen share from multiple sources at once: for example, a video on Premiere Pro along with Spotify at the same time for music supervision sessions.
Whether you're writing a song, recording with a microphone directly into your DAW, or cycling through samples, Evercast provides a seamless, secure experience for polished, productive audio and video sessions.
Best for: Music professional and studios seeking the closest thing to a live, in-studio experience. While it might seem a significant investment for indie creatives,this premium platform has security features, personalized support, and unparalleled performance that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Average latency: 150 milliseconds (ms)
Pricing: Pricing starts at $849/month for white-glove onboarding, 24/7 support, encrypted streaming, and high quality streaming for video and audio
2. LANDR Sessions
LANDR offers a remote collaboration tool called Sessions alongside its well-known AI-driven mastering service. The platform supports live video streaming and screen sharing with comments and reactions that connect you in real time with collaborators.
Your subscription includes plugins that connect directly to your current session to stream HD audio. LANDR also provides a few exclusive samples to get your creative juices flowing.
Best for: Small studio sessions and songwriting
Average latency: Not publicly available
Pricing: Pricing starts at $4.17/month and ranges to $12.50/month
3. ConnectionOpen
Well-loved by voice actors, ConnectionOpen is an excellent tool for light recording sessions. This platform provides a desktop app for streaming HD audio with low latency and can add a webcam video stream.
ConnectionOpen also provides VST and AAX plugins for use directly inside your DAW. You can also stay connected through the companion mobile app.
Best for: Voice actors and light studio recordings
Average latency: Not publicly available
Pricing: Plans get billed monthly and range from $12.50/month to $75/month
4. JamKazam
JamKazam is a versatile platform for music educators, jam bands, and remote live performances. The platform provides Mac and Windows users with a desktop client for streaming HD audio and passing live recordings back and forth.
You’ll need to connect to an outside client for video broadcasting, but the site provides plenty of tutorials on how to get started.
Best for: Music educators or light remote music rehearsals. JamKazam can also be used to host ticketed events
Average latency: Between 200 to 300 milliseconds (ms), as reported by users
Pricing: JamKazam offers a free limited plan, with paid accounts ranging from $4.99/month to $19.99/month
5. Endless
If you’re looking for a fun tool to spark inspiration with other musicians or hobbyists, then Endless is a great place to start. Use this web-based modular DAW on its own, in the desktop app, or on the mobile app.
Notably, this beatmaking platform has a “live jam” tool, allowing you and other musicians to comment and create in a shared session in real time. Though there aren’t any built-in video features, it’s still worth considering if you’re looking for a low-lift solution to spark some ideas with friends.
Best for: Casual beat makers and musician hobbyists who want to share ideas together over Mac, Windows, or iOS
Average latency: Not publicly available
Pricing: Free or $5/month for the full version with a more extensive collection of sounds and instruments
6. Audiomovers
While Audiomovers technically does not provide video conferencing services, we want to offer an option for use with traditional tools like Zoom or Skype. This software acts as a plugin for sharing sound with the lowest latency possible over Wi-Fi or ethernet.
To use Audiomovers, the broadcasting participant adds the plugin to the master channel of their DAW. This also generates a stream link so clients can listen in for real-time interaction. There is no option to add cameras or activate your webcam with this software, so it’s not a one-stop solution for remote collaboration.
Best for: Musicians who want to stream high-quality audio; the software works particularly well where a live video feed is not the priority
Average latency: Between 20 to 300 milliseconds (ms)
Pricing: Monthly plans range from $8.33/month to $16.67/month. Activate the plugin set on an annual plan ranging from $99.99/year to $275/year for businesses
