Sound Show
Sound cue software for Live Theatre
Free Version Available
SoundShow is a fast, reliable theatre sound cue tool.
It keeps the tech out of your way so you can stay in the moment.
The interface is clear and simple, you will find what you need fast in the middle of the action.
Great tools shouldn’t just be for the big players. The core version of Sound Show is completely free. It is perfect for schools, community theatre and amateurs.
And when you need more, you can upgrade to Pro to unlock more features at a fair price.
Why theatre techs use SoundShow
- Layer many sounds, safely: Each cue opens its own player (volume, loop, control buttons...), and you can run multiple sounds together without an upper limit in the engine.
- In-app configuration: Define start/stop times, fades, effects, loops, labels colors, audio device output ...
- Instruction System: Automate quick sequences with the Instruction system (cue stacks) while keeping manual control for moments that demand flexibility.
- Organize by Act/Scene: Tabs, paging, favorites row, color labels, search. Find the right button easily through solid organization.
- Integrate lights (QLC+): Trigger QLC+ functions from SoundShow to sync thunder hits with lightning or bring up houselights on the same button. (Pro)
- Project video, images, text and more to second screen: Roll preshow video or projections from the same app that runs your sound cues.
- Cross-platform & accessible: Windows, Mac, and Linux; generous free version, no subscription.
Need a QLab alternative on Windows?
On Mac, QLab is the standard but it’s Mac-only and full features require paid licenses. On Windows, tools like Show Cue System are paid tiers.
SoundShow runs on Win/Mac/Linux with a free core and a low one-time Pro upgrade.
SoundShow is an advanced soundboard. While its Instruction system can handle cue sequences, it’s not a 1:1 replacement for fully scripted cue software. It shines when you need flexibility and fast reactions.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I run multiple cues at once (music under SFX)?
Yes, each sound gets its own player; layering is supported.
Q: Does SoundShow do lighting?
Via QLC+ integration you can trigger lighting functions from the board.
Q: Mac-only tools are common, does SoundShow run on Windows?
Yes, SoundShow supports Windows, Mac, Linux.
Q: What do I get with Pro?
Unlimited sounds/tabs, MIDI controllers support, Streamdeck support, QLC+, OBS, grid/icon/skin options, and more. For a One-time purchase. More information
Price
Great tools shouldn’t just be for the big players, that's why the core version of Sound Show is free to use. It is perfect for schools, community theatre and amateurs.
When you need more, you can upgrade to Sound Show Pro to unlock all the additional features at a fair price
Also it helps me continue to innovate, ensuring that Sound Show keeps getting better.
Free
€ 0. 00
- Most features
- Up to 10 tabs, 40 sounds per tab
- Limited visual customization
- Some modules locked (MIDI, lighting...)
Pro
€ 35 .00
- Unlimited sounds & tabs
- Custom grid sizes, skins, icons, layouts...
- MIDI, Stream Deck, OBS, QLC+, android remote control integrations
- Up to 8 audio outputs
Loved by creators
Rated 4.6/5 on itch.io
Great software, it fits all our needs. We are an amateur theatre company in Abrantes – Portugal.
Congratulations for your work.
I am a game master for several Role Playing Games and running online games in 2009. I quickly realized that it was a great opportunity to add a soundtrack to my games, be it music or sound effects to punctuate events in the game and increase immersion for my players.
I have tried many tools to achieve these goals, and lately Sound Show has become my favorite tool for running games, both online and around a table.
I have found wonderful use for this in the world of pro wrestling!
[...]
I also purchased a Pro edition too because I wanted to support the cause. I used to use sports sounds pro and this is sooo much more stable!
I cannot recommend SoundShow enough.
It offers incredible flexibility, both in organization and playback. You can set up multiple playlists, running Music separately from Ambient sounds like rain or city streets, as well as triggering unique Sound FX like gunshots or screams on the fly. Additionally, I asked for a way to customize the UI icons, and the creator responded a day later - talk about customer service!
Some Features in Action
Play Sounds
Layer
Left click to on a button to add a sound to the currently playing sounds
Crossfade
Right click on a button to crossfade with the currently playing sounds. Those sounds will fade-out while the new sound will fade-in
Configure
Define many presets on the sounds you use directly within Sound Show :
- Color of the button
- Start volume
- Start and stop times
- Sound effects (echo, pitch ...)
- And many more
Drag and drop files
Drag and drop files from file explorer to easily add sounds
- Drag and drop multiple sounds at the same time
- Drag and drop an entire folder to create a new tab with all the sounds of the folder
Project on a second display
- Video
- Image
- Text
- Webcam
- Camera filter
- Background color