Sound Show 2

I rebuilt Sound Show 2 from scratch. Here is why, what has changed, and what it means if you already use v1.

Why a new version?

The first Sound Show was built with Unity3D, a game engine. It helped me a lot: it could handle sound and visuals, run on several operating systems, and had many ready-made tools. It also used a programming language I knew well. I probably wouldn’t have got Sound Show this far without it.

But over time, some things became harder than they should have been:

The download included a lot of game-engine features Sound Show didn’t need.
Getting things to work across operating systems was sometimes difficult, especially on Linux.
The interface was hard to get right, and working with audio drivers and other parts of the computer could be difficult.
Building each version took a long time.
Changes to Unity’s licensing could affect Sound Show, even though I had no say in them.

Developing Sound Show in Unity just didn’t feel good anymore. I decided to start again with tools that fit the app better and would make it easier to keep improving it.

What is v2 built with?

For v2, I chose Rust and Tauri. Rust handles the audio engine and the parts that work directly with your computer. Tauri lets me build the interface with web technologies while keeping Sound Show a locally installed app.

For you, the useful part is a smaller app and more control over how you arrange it. For me, it gives me a better base to work on.

What is different or improved?

Here are some of the changes you’ll notice when trying v2. Some need Pro, including custom layouts and MIDI. You can try those with the Pro trial; the Free and Pro comparison has the full list.

A smaller app and a new interface

V2 no longer needs to include a whole game engine, which makes the download smaller. The interface has also been rebuilt. Reducing memory and processor use is another goal of the rewrite.

More ways to arrange your workspace

You can have several panels of the same type. Maybe you want to keep a grid of video clips open while browsing your sounds in another grid. Or have one Players panel for sounds and another for visuals.

You can also create pages, each with its own arrangement of panels. For example, one page could hold the standard intefrace you use during a show, and another could have the tools you use to affect your sounds (echo, 3-band eq, reverb…).

On desktop, you can also open extra windows, each with its own pages. You could put a timer on a screen facing the performers, or keep a Favorites grid on a touchscreen next to your main controls.

Some other new features

Updates inside the app. On desktop, you can download and install updates from Sound Show. On Android, install the newer APK from the downloads page.
MIDI output and pad colors. V2 can send MIDI messages as well as receive them. Supported controllers can show pad colors that follow your sounds. Each manufacturer handles this differently, so pad lighting depends on your controller and its device profile.
Waveform zoom. You can zoom in to see a sound more closely when adjusting its start, end, or loop points.
Bug reports inside the app. When signed in, you can send a bug report from Sound Show and choose whether to include logs and other details to help me understand what happened.
Better integration with your computer. For example, you can now drag files from your file manager into Sound Show on Linux too.

What does not carry over exactly?

Some v1 features and settings work differently in v2. Importing a project is a starting point, so take time to listen through it before using it in a show.

The new audio engine uses a logarithmic volume scale by default. I find the sliders feel more natural this way, but the same number may not sound as loud as it did in v1. You can also choose a linear scale in the settings. Check your volume balance, fades, loops, and audio outputs after importing.

When will v2 officially release?

The downloads page shows the current release and supported platforms. The Pro comparison and purchase page explain current purchase availability and offers.

What are the goals of early access?

I’ve tested Sound Show 2 in many situations and already used it in several of my own shows. But I can’t cover every computer, operating system version, or way of using the app. Early access helps me find issues that don’t show up in my own setup.

Some features are part of my everyday use; others I mostly use for testing. If you rely on those features in your shows, you’re more likely to notice when something doesn’t work as expected or when a feature you used in v1 is missing.

The same goes for MIDI controllers. I own a few, but there are many different models out there. Trying v2 with your own controller helps me understand what works and what still needs attention.

Your feedback will help me fix bugs, identify missing v1 features, and improve the app before the official release. You can contact me or send a bug report directly from the app when signed in.

What happens to v1?

You can keep using v1. If you have a setup that works for your shows, there is no need to move everything straight away.

Future v1 updates will be limited to small bug fixes and security fixes. V1 will no longer be sold, and I’ll be adding new features to v2.

V1, its older releases, and the separate Sound Show Remote app for v1 remain on the downloads page. Keep your v1 projects and media files so you can return to your current setup.

What happens to v1 users and licenses?

If you use v1 Free

You can try v2 Free and import your v1 project into the v2.

If you bought v1

Eligible V1 purchases receive one upgrade offer on the V2 Pro base license:

Purchases before 1 September 2026 receive 50% off.
Desktop Pro purchases from 1 September 2026, before the official V2 launch, receive the V2 Pro base license for free.
Mobile Pro purchases in that same period receive 65% off.

Three devices are included. Additional devices remain full price. The best available offer applies; V1 offers and the launch sale are not combined.

Use the same email address as your V1 purchase when signing in or checking out on the purchase page. If your purchase is not recognized or you cannot access that email, contact me for help.

How to bring your project to v2

Back up your v1 project Keep a copy that you can still open in v1.
Install v2 from the downloads page.
Import your v1 project. V2 can open v1 .ssp projects. Save the converted project under a new name. Keep the original v1 setup available while you try v2. A project saved by v2 cannot be opened in v1