The Ultimate Guide to Soundboard Software for Windows

Soundboard software has become an essential tool for gamers, streamers, podcasters, and online communicators. Whether you’re looking to add sound effects to your live stream, prank your friends in a voice chat, or enhance your podcast with custom audio, a good soundboard can make all the difference. This article will provide an in-depth look at the best soundboard software for Windows, focusing on key features, usability, and pros and cons.

Top 5 best soundboard software for Windows

1. EaseUS VoiceWave

EaseUS VoiceWave is a versatile and user-friendly voice changer and soundboard software that has quickly risen to the top of the market. It stands out for its seamless integration with popular applications and its extensive library of voice filters and sound effects.

Key Features:

• Rich Sound Library: It boasts a vast collection of sound effects that can be easily accessed and assigned to hotkeys. The library is regularly updated, offering a wide range of audio options for any situation.
• Real-time Voice Changing: In addition to its soundboard capabilities, VoiceWave allows you to change your voice in real-time. With over 100+ voice filters, you can sound like a robot, a celebrity, or a character from your favorite game.
• Easy Hotkey Customization: You can quickly set up hotkeys for your favorite sound effects, allowing for instant playback without interrupting your game or conversation.
• Seamless Integration: EaseUS VoiceWave works flawlessly with a variety of applications, including Discord, Skype, Zoom, and popular gaming platforms like Fortnite, Valorant, and League of Legends.

How to Use:

1. Download and Install: Download the software from the official EaseUS website.
2. Configure Settings: Set your microphone as the input and your headset or speakers as the output within the application.
3. Assign Hotkeys: Drag and drop your desired sound effects from the library to the hotkey panel. You can then assign a specific key combination for each sound.
4. Integrate with Apps: In your chosen application (e.g., Discord), simply change your microphone input to “EaseUS VoiceWave Virtual Audio Device.”

Pros:

• Very intuitive and easy to use for beginners.
• Large and constantly growing sound effect library.
• Excellent real-time voice-changing capabilities.
• Reliable performance with no noticeable lag.

Cons:

• The free version has limited features, requiring a purchase for full access.

2. Voicemeeter Potato

Voicemeeter is a powerful virtual audio mixer that has a soundboard function. While it’s more complex than a typical soundboard, its advanced features make it a favorite for audiophiles and professional streamers.

Key Features:

• Advanced Audio Mixing: It allows for complex routing of audio sources, enabling you to mix multiple microphones, game sounds, and music seamlessly.
• MacroButtons: This feature lets you create custom buttons with scripts to trigger sound effects, start/stop recordings, and control other audio settings.
• Virtual I/O: Voicemeeter can create multiple virtual audio devices, giving you granular control over where your sound goes.

How to Use:

1. Installation: Install the software and reboot your system.
2. Configuration: Configure your hardware and virtual inputs and outputs. This can be complex.
3. Soundboard Setup: Use the “A1,” “A2,” or “B1” buttons to route your audio to a specific output, and then create a MacroButton to play a sound file.

Pros:

• Extremely powerful for audio routing and mixing.
• Highly customizable.
• Free to use (donationware).

Cons:

• Very steep learning curve for beginners.
• Interface is not user-friendly.

3. Resanance

Resanance is a simple and lightweight soundboard that’s perfect for gamers who just need a no-frills tool for their Discord calls.

Key Features:

• Discord Integration: Designed specifically for Discord, it works seamlessly with the popular communication app.
• Hotkey Support: You can assign hotkeys to any sound file on your computer.
• Low CPU Usage: It’s very light on system resources, so it won’t impact your game’s performance.

How to Use:

1. Launch Resanance: Open the application.
2. Add Sounds: Click the “Add Sound” button to import your audio files.
3. Assign Keys: Choose a hotkey for each sound in the simple interface.
4. Configure Discord: In Discord’s settings, set your microphone to the “Resanance Virtual Audio Cable.”

Pros:

• Very easy to use for basic soundboard needs.
• Minimalistic and fast.
• Completely free.

Cons:

• Limited features compared to other software.
• Lacks a built-in sound library.

4. EXP Soundboard

EXP Soundboard is another free and straightforward option. It offers a clean interface and essential features for basic soundboard use.

Key Features:

• Simple Interface: Its user interface is simple and easy to navigate.
• Hotkey Functionality: Supports hotkeys for playing sounds in the background.
• Loop and Stop: You can set sounds to loop and use a hotkey to stop all sounds at once.

How to Use:

1. Install: Download and run the software.
2. Add Files: Add audio files to your soundboard list.
3. Set Keys: Assign a hotkey for each sound.
4. Virtual Cable: Like others, you’ll need a virtual audio cable to get the sound into your communication app.

Pros:

• User-friendly for basic use.
• Free and lightweight.

Cons:

• No built-in sound library.
• Requires a separate virtual audio cable.

5. Clownfish Voice Changer

Clownfish Voice Changer is best known for its voice modulation features, but it also has a simple soundboard function.

Key Features:

• Voice Filters: Offers a range of voice filters, including alien, robot, and male/female pitch adjustments.
• Sound Player: Includes a simple media player for playing background music or sound effects.
• System-Wide Integration: Works with any application that uses a microphone.

How to Use:

1. Install: Install Clownfish. It will integrate with your system’s audio.
2. Open Settings: Right-click on the Clownfish icon in the system tray.
3. Sound Player: Use the “Sound Player” option to add and play your sound effects.

Pros:

• Good for both voice changing and simple sound effects.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Free.

Cons:

• The soundboard function is very basic.
• Lacks hotkey support, which can be inconvenient for live use.

Conclusion

While many soundboard applications are available, they often fall into one of two categories: overly complex or too basic. EaseUS VoiceWave strikes the perfect balance. It combines a user-friendly interface with powerful features like a rich sound library and real-time voice changing, making it the ideal choice for anyone from casual gamers to professional streamers. Its seamless integration and reliable performance ensure you get a top-tier experience without the hassle of a steep learning curve. If you’re looking for a soundboard that just works and has everything you need to sound your best, EaseUS VoiceWave is the clear winner.

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