How to Set Up a Soundboard on Stream Deck

Stream Deck can do more than launch apps, switch scenes, and trigger shortcuts. It can also act as a soundboard, letting you play sound effects by tapping a key. With dedicated playback modes, volume control, fade settings, and audio output routing, you can build a full soundboard that fits your livestream, gameplay, meetings, or creative sessions.

1. Open Stream Deck app.

2. In the action list on the right, find the Soundboard section.

3. Drag Play Audio onto a key.

4. Select ... next to File to import an audio file from your computer.

5. Adjust the playback settings, volume, fade, and output device as needed.

6. Click the key to test your sound.

Stream Deck supports common audio formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, and M4A. The recommended file format is WAV (.wav) or FLAC (.flac)

WAV files are uncompressed, meaning fewer resources are required for playback. 

MP3 files are not recommended because they are compressed, so Stream Deck needs to decode them before playback, which can increase CPU usage and cause minor sound hitches when starting playback. 

Converting between audio formats can be done using the free program Audacity.

Once you have added a sound, you can fine-tune how it behaves using these settings.

• Play/Stop: Press the key once to play the sound once. Press it again to stop playback. Useful for longer sounds.
• Play/Overlap: Press the key to play the sound once. Press it again while the sound is playing, and Stream Deck will play another copy on top of the existing one.
• Play/Restart: Press the key to play the sound once. Press it again while the sound is playing, and the sound restarts.
• Loop/Stop: Press the key to loop the sound. Press it again to stop the loop.

Not every audio file is mixed at the same loudness. Adjusting the volume inside Stream Deck helps keep your soundboard balanced, so every effect plays at a comfortable level.

Choose between:

• No fade
• Fade in
• Fade out
• Fade in & out

Fade duration can be set between 1 and 5 seconds. Fades are especially useful for music, ambiance, longer clips, or any sound you want to feel smoother and less abrupt.

On Windows, Stream Deck lets you select a specific playback output for Soundboard actions. On macOS, soundboard audio plays through the default system output.

For example, you may want a sound effect to play through your headphones, speakers, streaming mix, or a virtual audio device.

This is especially useful if you want your sounds heard by your audience, sent through a specific app, or routed into a stream or recording setup.

To route soundboard audio through your mic for voice chat or streaming, Wave Link handles the virtual audio routing. For the full setup, check out our guide on how to play sounds through your mic with Stream Deck.

Keep key names simple so you can find sounds quickly. Labels like “Applause,” “Intro,” “Laugh,” “Alert,” or “BRB Music” are easier to scan at a glance.

As your soundboard grows, folders help keep things manageable. Group sounds by context (streaming, meetings, gaming) and use pages within folders so related effects stay together without cluttering your main layout.

Before using a sound in public content, make sure you have the right to use it. This is especially important for livestreams, videos, podcasts, and monetized content. Royalty-free libraries like the YouTube Audio Library or subscription services like Epidemic Sound are good starting points.

Setting up your own sounds is just one way to add audio to your setup. Elgato Marketplace has ready-made soundboard profiles from Voicemod with sounds already mapped to keys, plus voice changers available as VST effects for Wave Link. Browse what is available and find new ways to make your setup your own.