---
url: "https://docs.on-book.app/pro/user/features/sound.md"
description: "Manage your production's audio with soundboard, cue list, and Freesound integration."
---

# Sound

> **Human verification required.** Verify sound cues, mic plots, and playback setup before rehearsal or performance.

> **Manage your production's audio with soundboard, cue list, and Freesound integration.**

***

![Sound Cues — On Book Pro](../../assets/screenshots/sound/sound-hero.png)

## Overview

The Sound tool provides a complete audio environment for rehearsals:

* **Soundboard** — Grid-based pads for instant SFX playback
* **Library** — Organize and trim your sound clips
* **Sound Cues** — Theatrical cue list linked to scenes
* **Freesound Integration** — Search and download Creative Commons audio
* **Offline Support** — Cached audio plays without internet

***

## Getting Started

### Opening the Sound Tool

1. Navigate to **Sound** in the sidebar
2. You'll see four sub-tabs: **Soundboard**, **Library**, **Sound Cues**, and **Mic Packs**

### Understanding the Interface

| Tab | Purpose |
|-----|---------|
| **Soundboard** | Interactive pads for playback |
| **Library** | Manage and edit sound clips |
| **Sound Cues** | Scene-linked cue list |
| **Mic Packs** | Wireless mic pack assignments and swap tracking |

***

## Soundboard

The Soundboard provides instant access to frequently used sounds:

### Playing Sounds

1. Click any **sound pad** to play
2. Click again to stop (or let it finish)
3. Use the **volume slider** to adjust individual clip levels

### Master Controls

* **Master Volume**: Global volume control for all sounds
* **Stop All** (Panic Button): Immediately stops all playing sounds
* **Loop Toggle**: Enable/disable looping per clip

### Customizing Pads

Each pad can be customized:

* **Color**: Change the pad color for visual organization
* **Name**: Rename clips for quick identification
* **Volume**: Set default playback level
* **Keyboard Shortcut**: Assign hotkeys for hands-free triggering

***

## Library

The Library is where you manage all your audio clips:

### Adding Sounds

#### Option 1: Upload from Computer

1. Click **"Upload Sound"**
2. Select an audio file (MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A)
3. The clip appears in your library

#### Option 2: Import from Freesound

1. Click **"Search Freesound"**
2. Enter a search term (e.g., "door slam", "thunder")
3. Browse results with preview playback
4. Click **"Download"** to add to your library

#### Option 3: Import from Repository

1. Click **"From Files"**
2. Select an audio file from your Cloud File Repository
3. The clip links to your library

### Editing Clips

Select a clip to access editing options:

#### Waveform Trimmer

Set custom start and end points:

1. Click on a clip to open the editor
2. View the **waveform visualization**
3. Drag the **start marker** to set where playback begins
4. Drag the **end marker** to set where playback ends
5. Changes are non-destructive (original file preserved)

#### Clip Settings

* **Name**: Rename the clip
* **Volume**: Default playback volume (0-100%)
* **Loop**: Toggle continuous looping
* **Color**: Visual color for soundboard pad

### Deleting Clips

1. Select the clip
2. Click **Delete**
3. Confirm removal

***

## Sound Cues

The Sound Cues tab provides a traditional theatrical cue list:

### Understanding Cues

Each cue entry includes:

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| **Cue Number** | Your custom numbering (Q1, SQ 10, etc.) |
| **Scene** | Which scene the cue occurs in |
| **Cue Line** | The line or action that triggers the cue |
| **Description** | What the sound is (e.g., "Doorbell rings") |
| **Sound Clip** | Link to a library clip (optional) |
| **Notes** | Additional details |

### Adding Cues

1. Click **"+ Add Cue"**
2. Fill in the cue details
3. Optionally link to a sound clip from your library
4. Click **Save**

### AI-Extracted Cues (On-Demand)

Sound cues are **not auto-extracted** during initial script import. Instead, you trigger extraction when ready:

1. Ensure you've imported a script (see [Script Import](./script-import.md))
2. Go to **Sound** tool → **Sound Cues** tab
3. Click **"Extract from Script"** in the Action Toolbar
4. AI scans stage directions in your ScriptBlocks for sound cues
5. A preview dialog shows detected cues with scene links
6. Select which cues to add (or add all)
7. Click **"Import Selected"**
8. Link actual sound clips to complete each cue

**Why on-demand?** This approach:

* Lets you focus on show structure first
* Provides a dedicated review step for cues
* Avoids cluttering the initial import
* Allows re-extraction after ScriptBlock edits

### Reordering Cues

* Drag and drop to reorder within a scene
* Use the **sort order** field for fine control

### Triggering from Cue List

* Click the **Play** button next to any linked cue
* The associated sound clip plays immediately

***

## Freesound Integration

Freesound.org provides millions of Creative Commons sounds:

### Searching Freesound

1. Go to **Library** tab
2. Click **"Search Freesound"**
3. Enter keywords (e.g., "glass breaking", "crowd murmur")
4. Results appear with:
   * Preview button
   * Duration
   * License type
   * Download button

### Downloading

1. Click **Preview** to listen before downloading
2. Click **Download** to add to your library
3. The clip downloads and caches locally

### License Information

Freesound clips are typically:

* **CC0**: Public domain, no attribution required
* **CC-BY**: Attribution required in credits

On Book Pro tracks license info for each downloaded clip.

***

## Offline Support

Sounds work without internet:

### How It Works

* Downloaded sounds are cached in your browser's IndexedDB
* Once cached, clips play even when offline
* Perfect for venues without reliable WiFi

### Storage Considerations

* Sound files can be large
* Monitor your storage usage in browser settings
* Clear unused clips to free space

***

## Mic Pack Assignments

The **Mic Packs** sub-tab helps A2s and Stage Managers track wireless mic pack assignments, battery status, and generate swap suggestions when packs are scarce.

### Opening Mic Packs

1. Navigate to **Sound** in the sidebar
2. Click the **Mic Packs** sub-tab

### Setup

1. **Set total packs** — Enter the number of wireless packs available for the production
2. Click **"Generate Assignments"** — The system assigns packs to mic-eligible actors sorted by first scene appearance
3. If packs ≥ actors: everyone gets a dedicated pack
4. If packs < actors: the first N actors get packs, and the swap algorithm runs for the rest

### Lock State (Three-Way Cycle)

Each assignment has a **lock state** that you cycle by clicking the lock icon:

| State | Icon | Meaning |
|-------|------|---------|
| **Normal** | | Standard assignment — available for sharing via swaps |
| **Locked** | | Dedicated pack (e.g., mic sewn into a costume) — never shared |
| **Low Priority** | ⬇ | Preferred swap candidate — algorithm tries these packs first |

**Tip:** Mark ensemble or minor-role packs as **Low Priority** to keep principal actors' packs stable.

### Minimum Pack Recommendation

A recommendation badge shows:

* **Min: X** — The absolute minimum packs needed (for rental budgeting)
* **Min: X · Y w/ locks** — If you have locked packs, the practical minimum may differ

Click **"Use Minimum"** to auto-set the pack count to the practical minimum.

### Swap Algorithm

When packs < actors, the system suggests swaps automatically:

* Finds actors whose scenes don't overlap with a packed actor's scenes
* Prefers **Low Priority** packs first, then normal packs; skips locked packs
* Generates swap points at scene boundaries
* Highlights any actors with no available swap window (⚠️)

### Managing Swaps

* **Accept** a swap → Mark as confirmed (✅)
* **Reject** a swap → Remove the suggestion
* **Regenerate** → Re-run the algorithm (preserves locks)

### Scene Matrix

After generating assignments, a scrollable grid shows:

* **Rows** = Pack numbers
* **Columns** = Scenes in show order
* **Cells** = Which actor has the pack in each scene
* **Highlighted cells** = Swap points (actor changes)

### Assignment Table Fields

| Column | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| **Pack #** | Sequential pack number |
| **Actor** | The person wearing the mic |
| **Characters** | Characters played by this actor |
| **Lock** | Cycle: Normal → Locked → Low Priority |
| **Battery** | Cycle: Fresh → Good → Low → Dead |
| **Frequency** | RF frequency (editable) |
| **Notes** | Free text for the A2 |

### Printing the Mic Plot

1. Click **Print** in the Action Toolbar
2. Select **"Mic Plot"** from the report list
3. The report includes:
   * **Assignment Table** — Pack #, actor, characters, frequency, notes
   * **Scene Matrix** — Landscape grid showing who has each pack per scene
   * **Swap Summary** — All swaps sorted by pack and scene order

***

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Space` | Play/pause selected sound |
| `Escape` | Stop all sounds (panic) |
| Custom keys | Trigger assigned soundboard pads |

***

## Tips for Success

emoji\_objects **Build your soundboard early** — Have common effects ready for day one

emoji\_objects **Use Freesound** — Massive library of free, high-quality sounds

emoji\_objects **Trim to essentials** — Use the waveform editor to isolate key moments

emoji\_objects **Test offline** — Verify sounds work without network before tech

emoji\_objects **Assign keyboard shortcuts** — Hands-free triggering during run-throughs

emoji\_objects **Number cues consistently** — Match your lighting designer's numbering style

emoji\_objects **Mark ensemble packs as Low Priority** — Keeps principal actors' mic assignments stable

***

## Printing Sound Cues

Generate a paper cue list:

1. Click **Print** in the Action Toolbar
2. The cue list formats professionally:
   * Cue numbers
   * Scene assignments
   * Descriptions and cue lines
   * Notes

***

## Video Tutorial

Video walkthrough: planned.

***

## Related Guides

* [Show Structure](./show-structure.md) — Scenes for cue linking
* [Script Import](./script-import.md) — How script analysis works
* [Features Overview](./overview.md)

***

*Last updated: February 8, 2026 (Mic Pack Assignments, Lock State Tri-Cycle, Minimum Packs)*