Soundpad is a voice chat tool for Discord that lets you record and play back voice messages or audio clips. It works on both desktop and mobile, making it a popular pick for communicating with friends or coworkers in a more entertaining way.
This guide walks through how to use Soundpad on Discord step by step, along with its key features and answers to common questions.
About Soundpad
Soundpad is available for Windows through the Microsoft Store, with a wide range of music presets to make chatting more fun, plus the ability to record your own sessions.
It can sync and lock with the beat of whatever you’re playing, so a loop doesn’t drift out of time. Using Soundpad on Discord can feel a bit tricky at first, but it’s straightforward once you know the steps.
Using Soundpad on Discord
Start by turning on Soundpad and running Discord at the same time while chatting. For Soundpad to work properly, you’ll need to configure the Push-to-Talk feature in your Discord settings. Turning this on lets you set a dedicated Push-to-Talk button, which becomes your key for sending Soundpad audio through your Discord voice channel.
By default, Discord won’t transmit anything through your mic just because Soundpad is running. You’ll need to play something in Soundpad, then hold down your Push-to-Talk button for as long as you want the audio to play through your mic to the connected server. This is the core workflow for using Soundpad with Discord.
If you’re using a physical microphone, you don’t need to worry about pressing any hardware button on the mic itself when playing sounds, since the audio plays automatically in that case. This keeps the overall setup simple.
Make sure your microphone is turned on in Discord’s settings. Go to Preferences, then Audio, and select the correct mic settings if you want it active for recording or playback through Soundpad.
A couple of setup notes worth knowing: Soundpad automatically installs an audio driver extension that works properly after a system restart, so make sure to restart your computer after installing it for the first time. It also requires a deactivated version of Windows Audio DRM validation, which lets you watch DRM-protected video while playing sounds through Soundpad at the same time. Without this adjustment, one of the two may not work properly, though these settings can be changed later if needed.
For more on choosing the right microphone for Discord specifically, see our guide on best mic for Discord.
Features of Soundpad
Soundpad offers several features that make it useful not just with Discord, but across a range of other applications too.
Sounds for Voice Chat
Soundpad connects with Discord and lets you play audio from your saved presets. It also works with other voice platforms like TeamSpeak and Skype, as well as multiplayer games like PUBG, Dota 2, and CS:GO.
Audio Normalization
When used with Discord, Soundpad applies solid audio normalization, keeping volume levels balanced so playback doesn’t overpower your voice or vice versa.
Easy to Use
Soundpad supports default recording with basic settings and quick hotkey functions, making it simple to play sounds without needing extra plugins or files. A system restart after installation is typically all that’s needed to get it working well.
Hotkeys
Hotkeys give you quick access to your saved presets, letting you trigger sound profiles instantly during a game or chat session using whatever key you’ve assigned.
Sound Recorder
Soundpad includes a built-in sound recorder, letting you capture and edit clips from different moments whenever you want. It’s fast and responsive, letting you edit audio in just a few seconds.
File Support
Soundpad supports a range of file formats, including AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV, M4A, MP3, and WMA, giving you flexibility in how you record and create your sound clips.
FAQ
Does Soundpad work with Discord?
Yes. Soundpad is designed to play sounds through voice chat apps including Discord, TeamSpeak, Skype, and Mumble.
How do I use Soundpad with Discord?
Set a Push-to-Talk button in Discord, then use that button to play music or audio through Soundpad. The sound plays for as long as the key stays pressed.
What’s the best soundboard tool for Discord?
A few of the most popular options include Soundpad, Voicemod, and AV Voice Changer Software Diamond.
Conclusion
Soundpad is a genuinely useful way to enhance your Discord experience, offering an easy setup and a solid range of features that make conversations more entertaining. It’s worth trying out to see how much it can add to your usual chat sessions.
For more on getting the most out of your microphone setup, see our guides on how to set up a wireless microphone system, how to record binaural audio, how to connect multiple microphones to a computer, how to make your voice deeper on the mic, and how to play music through mic.
