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.
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 offers two products built around ultra-low latency streaming: Evercast Studio, a full-scale collaboration platform with video chat and high-powered video streaming in one app—and Presenter, a plugin that brings high-quality media sharing into Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Top features
- Ultra-low latency streaming (<100 ms on average)
- Evercast Studio has built-in video conferencing, so you can securely work with your team face-to-face while streaming any software, video file, or even live cameras—with support for 4K/60fps video, 10-bit 4:4:4 color accuracy, and intuitive collaboration features like draw tool, recording, and chat.
- Presenter is a simple plugin for Zoom, Meet, and Teams, essentially offering a more stable, higher-quality alternative to screensharing. It lets you securely share 4K video and other high-def media files with no skipping, stuttering, or lag.
Best for
Evercast Studio is built for creative professionals who want to replicate the in-studio collaboration experience remotely, from pre-production through finishing. It even supports live video streaming from on-set cameras, so teams can create a virtual video village and communicate face-to-face. With color accuracy, surround sound, and more, it's made for collaborating with confidence at every stage of production.
Presenter is ideal for anyone who already relies on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams but needs to share high-quality video or media without the usual compression artifacts and lag. It's a great fit for presentations, pitches, quick creative reviews, and any meeting where visual fidelity matters.
Pricing
Evercast Studio starts at $549/month (with custom plans available), while Presenter plans start at $39 per user per month.
Create together remotely, in real time
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
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