Feature Request: Audio Channel Routing and Real-Time Sync over Wi-Fi
Dear MuseScore Development Team,
I’d like to propose two features that would significantly enhance MuseScore 4 for live performance, ensemble practice, and educational use:
- Independent Audio Routing by MIDI Channel
- Real-Time Playback Sync over Wi-Fi
These additions would make MuseScore 4 a more powerful, user-friendly solution for both individual musicians and ensembles, eliminating the need for external DAWs or complex audio routing tools.
- Independent Audio Routing by MIDI Channel
Feature Description:
Allow users to assign specific MIDI channels (such as the metronome or individual instrument tracks) to different audio output channels directly within MuseScore. This functionality would enable routing flexibility, so users could send selected audio tracks to different outputs based on their needs.
Use Case Examples
Live Performances:
In a performance, the metronome could be routed to in-ear monitors for performers, while playback is sent to speakers for the audience. This way, performers can stay in time without the metronome being audible to the audience.
Customized Monitoring:
Different instrument tracks could be routed to separate channels, allowing performers to customize their monitoring experience according to their specific needs.
Suggested Implementation:
New Routing Settings:
Add a “MIDI-to-Audio Channel Routing” section in Audio Preferences where users can choose an audio output channel for each MIDI track.
Metronome Control: Include a dedicated routing option for the metronome, giving performers control over metronome monitoring separately from other playback.
Internal Routing: Ensure all routing options are handled entirely within MuseScore, avoiding the need for external DAWs or complex audio setups.
- Real-Time Playback Sync over Wi-Fi
Feature Description:
Allow MuseScore playback to sync in real-time across multiple devices (e.g., other PCs, tablets, or mobile devices) connected via Wi-Fi. This feature would allow each performer in an ensemble to view the synchronized playback on their own screen, with a single device acting as the host controller.
Use Case Examples:
Ensemble Practice and Performance: Each performer can follow their own part on their device while MuseScore keeps all screens in sync with the playback. This removes the need for printed sheet music and ensures perfect timing across the ensemble, especially helpful for in-person or remote rehearsals.
Classroom and Teaching: Educators could control playback on a main device, with students following along in sync on their own devices, making it easy to coordinate group exercises and part studies.
Suggested Implementation:
Wi-Fi Sync Settings: Add a “Wi-Fi Sync” option in Preferences, allowing the primary MuseScore instance to act as a host and connect to other devices in the network.
Device Management: Include a device management panel where users can add, remove, or configure connected devices and control what each device displays (e.g., entire score or specific parts).
Centralized Playback Control: The host device would manage playback, tempo, and part selection, with changes reflected on all connected devices in real-time.
Benefits:
Enhanced Flexibility for Performers: By combining independent audio routing with Wi-Fi sync, MuseScore would allow for private monitoring and personalized audio setups in live performance scenarios.
Simplified Workflow: Eliminating the need for DAWs or third-party routing software, these features would make MuseScore a fully self-contained solution for complex audio and display configurations.
Improved Collaboration: Real-time sync over Wi-Fi would greatly benefit ensemble rehearsals, remote collaboration, and educational environments, providing a seamless experience for group settings.
These two features, independent audio routing by MIDI channel and real-time playback sync over Wi-Fi—would expand the scope of MuseScore 4, enabling it to support professional-level performance setups and collaborative music-making without the need for external software. Thank you for considering this request, which would be a valuable addition for the MuseScore user community.
Sincerely,
Marc Nongmaithem
Comments
As a user, I have been thinking about this since you posted it. These would indeed be useful additions.
But...
I can't begin to imagine how incredibly difficult all this would be to implement. I have to believe that it would not be a case of just adding these things. But more a core re-write.
I've done some work with sound systems. I get that you don't want a complex audio setup. Or other third party software. Or a DAW. But each one of those components is far more versatile than MuseScore could ever be.
You don't mention what size group of musicians this is aimed at. Yes, there are studio situations where everyone is under headphones. But what about an orchestra concert.
Also having worked with school and home wi-fi, all I can say is good luck. The concept is good in a perfect world. In any given situation, the more devices that are on the same signal, the worse the signal becomes. Not to mention that for some reason, George's wi-fi suddenly froze in the middle of remote rehearsal. Or the schools tech person didn't update the correct terminal.
Again, good ideas. I'm not saying otherwise. I'm just wondering how possible to implement.
In reply to As a user, I have been… by bobjp
I would say that there are probably insurmountable problems, literal physical limits. I suspect that the best such a system can EVER do is "piss poor". The delays of signal propagation are hard limits. There will simply be inevitable delays in the WiFi connection and in the cable connections and in the conversion from one to another that CANNOT be overcome.
I hope I'm wrong on this, but according to everything we know now, I suspect not.
In reply to I would say that there are… by TheHutch
I understand that delays in signal propagation, particularly over Wi-Fi, present significant challenges for real-time synchronization. However, I believe the technology to address these issues already exists. It’s more about designing the right framework and engaging skilled developers to implement it effectively.
Unlike music or video streaming, where large amounts of data are transmitted simultaneously to multiple users (often straining networks), synchronizing tempo and scores doesn’t need to impose a heavy burden on the system. For example, pre-synchronizing scores over Wi-Fi prior to a performance ensures that only lightweight real-time data, such as tempo or timecode information, is transmitted during the session. This dramatically reduces bandwidth and latency requirements. A central "timekeeper," whether a conductor or server, could manage synchronization across devices with minimal data exchange.
Platforms like JackTrip already demonstrate how low-latency, uncompressed audio streaming can enable real-time collaboration for remote ensembles. Using a central hub for synchronization, JackTrip achieves impressive results even for complex scenarios. Similarly, Caedence focuses on synchronizing scores and tempos for live performances, with features like pre-arranged charts and MIDI device integration. And JamKazam allows musicians to rehearse and perform live with low-latency audio processing, making it popular for education and remote practice sessions.
These tools highlight that real-time synchronization is feasible and scalable for small to medium setups. While perfect zero-latency synchronization might be unattainable due to physical constraints, the delays in most use cases, practice sessions, rehearsals, or small performances, are negligible and fall well within acceptable limits. Even in challenging scenarios like large-scale orchestras or networks with unreliable Wi-Fi, starting with smaller controlled setups could prove the concept’s practicality.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about overcoming technical barriers, it’s an opportunity to expand the potential of music technology. By integrating such synchronization features, tools like MuseScore could bring enormous value to educators, students, and performers, empowering more people to collaborate and learn without needing expensive software or infrastructure. Incremental improvements in this area could democratize access to music-making and redefine how we approach ensemble practice and performance.
Thanks!
In reply to As a user, I have been… by bobjp
Thank you, bobjp, for your thoughtful insights. I completely agree that these suggestions would require significant development work and possibly core changes to MuseScore. However, my vision for MuseScore is to make it as indispensable and accessible as MS Word is for writing. Just as learning to use Word has become a basic educational skill, I believe that learning to use MuseScore, or tools like it, should become equally fundamental for musicians, educators, and students.
Right now, many musicians are limited by the high cost and complexity of advanced audio and notation tools. DAWs and professional hardware are great, but they are often inaccessible for educational settings or smaller-scale musicianship. By integrating features like independent audio routing and real-time playback sync, perhaps even in simplified forms, MuseScore could empower musicians everywhere without tethering them to expensive software or steep learning curves.
As for Wi-Fi reliability, I agree it’s not perfect, especially in large or less-controlled environments. However, many applications successfully use local network sync for collaborative workflows, and MuseScore could explore hybrid solutions, such as supporting both Wi-Fi and wired connections. While these features might not be suited for an entire orchestra in a concert hall initially, they could make a big difference in classrooms, small ensembles, and individual practice setups where the stakes are lower, and the benefits are immediate.
The broader idea here is to “democratize” music education and collaboration. Just as Word made document creation a universal skill, MuseScore has the potential to make music notation and playback just as widely used and essential. Even starting with incremental improvements could move MuseScore toward becoming that universal tool, not just for professional musicians but for anyone with an interest in music.
Thank you again for sharing your perspective, it’s essential to think through the practical challenges, and your points help refine this vision further.