Lossless uncompressed audio signal transmission over a local network (unicast/multicast) using open source and free software (!!! OS Linux only !!!): Jackd2 (or Pipewire), 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 (but working on Mbps too).
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 and control 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)
Changelog:
10.11.2025 – add e-ing display to end-device for basic information