Lossless uncompressed audio signal transmission over a local network (unicast/multicast) using open source and free software (!!! OS Linux only !!!): Jackd2, zita-njbridge,RaySession,JackMiniMix,NodeRed,
alsa-webui. Latency depends on the hardware used (in general between 2 – 10 ms), in my case is built as follows: a control computer (standard PC with Linux OS – I am using Ubuntu Studio 24), which controls and manages all other end-devices (Raspberry PI 4,5 and other arm computers or other standard PC with Linux OS). To achieve maximum transmission quality, the requirement is a Gbps local network.
Of course, whole solution requires soundcards on all devices in network with the number of channels according to the user’s needs.
Software used:
Jack2 or Pipewire – main sound server on all devices
Zita-njbridge – designed to transmit multichannel audio over a local IP network (up to 64 channels)
RaySession – great software for manage jack connections and all available plugins on all devices (also remotely !!)
JackMimiMix – simple volume multichannel jack2 mixer
NodeRed – small web application designed to control JackMiniMix for individual musicians on mobile phone or tablet
Alsa-WebUI – web interface for controlling soundcards
SoNeT Controller – client/server setup utility from me (programmed in FreePascal) to setup end-devices
Test (development) rig:
– control machine: MacPro 5.1 (2x Intel Xeon processor, 48GB RAM, Ubuntu Studio 24, Tascam US-16×08 rack soudcard (16 inputs, 8 outputs) and Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 FireWire
– tested end-devices: Raspberry PI4+5, Asus Tinkerboard, 2GB RAM, DietPi distro, Pi-Dac+ soundcard hat
Latency depends on the hardware used and overall software settings (realtime kernel, jack, etc. ….) … in my tested rig is 5.33 ms in multicast mode protocol, 16 channels.
Complete instructions, description, download links, drawings, specific links and videos coming soon …….
27.6.2025 – some pictures of end-device (Raspberry PI4, PI-DAC+ soundcard, PETG printed enclosure with 5V fan)
