Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe best Discord soundboard depends on whether you want native server playback or audio routed through a microphone input. Start with Discord’s built-in Soundboard for a no-install option; choose Voicemod for custom clips and voice effects, or Soundpad for Windows hotkeys and microphone playback.
Soundpad, Resanance, and Clownfish are Windows options according to their current official pages. Third-party soundboards do not automatically add clips to Discord’s native Soundboard: Discord must receive their audio through the configured input device.
Best Discord soundboards compared
| Soundboard | Best for | Platform information | How Discord receives audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discord Soundboard | Using sound effects without installing software | Discord desktop, browser, and mobile access | Native Discord voice-channel playback |
| Voicemod | Custom clips, keybinds, voice effects, and remote control | Desktop app; mobile app acts as a controller | Voicemod Virtual Audio Device as the Discord input |
| Soundpad | Windows users who want hotkeys and microphone playback | Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 are listed on its product page | Windows default recording device or another configured device |
| Resanance | A free Windows soundboard with many sounds and controls | Official site says it has been tested on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 | A configured microphone/input route |
| Clownfish Voice Changer | System-wide voice effects plus a basic sound player | Official page lists Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 | Clownfish modifies the selected capture device |
1. Discord Soundboard: best no-install option
Discord Soundboard is the simplest choice when everyone is already using Discord. Sounds are attached to the server and broadcast to people in the voice channel without routing a separate app through your microphone.
How to play a sound on desktop
- Join a server voice channel.
- Select the confetti icon at the bottom-right, or select the Soundboard icon at the bottom-left.
- Hover over a sound and select Play.
Use the speaker icon to preview a sound privately. Select the Star icon to add a sound to your favorites. On Windows, CTRL + ` opens Soundboard in the game overlay.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- [XLR Mic Input] One XLR microphone input interface is set on the gaming audio mixer, which is great to up your audio quality with your XLR setup. The XLR mixer is a stepping stone to upgrade your live streaming. Audio mixer offered built-in 48V phantom power which opens up more choices for mics. Directly use it with your condenser microphone but do not solve added peripherals. (NOT available for USB mic)
- [Individual Channel Control] Gaming audio mixer for one mic recording with smooth volume slider fader take your streaming recording to a whole new level with full pleasure. Four independent channels set on the DJ mixer give audio volume of the MICROPHONE, LINE IN, HEADPHONE, and LINE OUT channels individual control. Configurable on the PC audio mixer instead of just operating on your game or streaming software.
- [Mute and Monitor] The front mute and monitor buttons but not at the back, make it easier to get the audio interface use. Ability to mute audio, the audio mixer for streaming prevents background noise from damaging your live broadcast. Real-time feedback between speaking and hearing will not distract your attention, which encourage you to speak more confidently. The sturdy-built control button allow you to operate freely and easily during live streaming.
- [Sound Effects] The computer sound mixer supports four pre-recorded customized button that can be recorded and activated at the press of button to post production. 6 kinds of voice changing modes change your output style. 12 auto tune changes the tone of your voice. The podcast mixer being able to add different and fun effects is a huge bonus for your streaming or game voice.
- [Controllable Vibrant RGB] RGB button on the audio mixer DJ meets different live streaming themes. Lights on the video mixer is vibrant but not harsh on your eyes. Flowing or frozen RGB color rotation in a decent pace presents a greatly strong impression as a "light show" to your audience. Even a streaming equipment accessory will not be dull looking when video production.
Using Soundboard on mobile
- Join a voice channel.
- Tap the screen, then drag the toolbar upward.
- Tap Soundboard and choose a sound.
Sound uploads are available on desktop or in a browser, not in the mobile app. On desktop, open Soundboard and select Add Sound.
Permissions, slots, and Nitro
A server administrator can enable Soundboard for a role through Server Settings → Roles → [role] → Use Soundboard. To control access in one channel, use Edit Channel → Permissions → [role/member] → Use Soundboard.
Adding a sound requires Create Expressions. Editing or removing sounds requires Manage Expressions. Servers have eight preloaded slots by default. Boosted servers have 24 slots at Tier 1, 36 at Tier 2, and 48 at Tier 3.
Nitro is not required to use sounds in the server where they are available. Nitro is required to use sounds from other servers across servers.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Common problems
- If the Soundboard control is missing, it may be disabled for that voice channel.
- Deafened users do not hear playback.
- A local Soundboard volume of 0% makes every sound inaudible. Check User Settings → Voice & Video → Soundboard → Soundboard Volume.
2. Voicemod: best for custom clips and keybinds
Voicemod combines a soundboard with voice-changing effects and a virtual microphone. It is more flexible than Discord’s native board, but it needs correct Discord input and output settings.
Create a Voicemod soundboard
- Open Voicemod and select the Soundboard tab.
- Select + New Soundboard.
- Enter a name and choose an icon.
- Select + Add → Upload Sounds to import a clip.
Voicemod states a limit of 20 MB or eight minutes per clip. Uploads can be .wav or .mp3. You can also drag a file into an empty slot. For library sounds, use + Add → Add existing content, or open Discover, hover over a sound, select + Add to Soundboard, and choose a board.
Rank #2
- 18 Programmable Keys Macro Keypad: This stream controller deck comes with 18 customizable macro keys (15 LCD visual keys + 3 physical buttons). Users may program single actions or multi-step sequences for daily operation. The keys support in-game combos, app launch and media playback control for multiple usage scenarios. Each LCD key accepts JPG, PNG and GIF images and animations to mark separate functions
- Single Tap Control: This USB macro keyboard pad supports single tap commands for quick operation. Users can trigger pre-set macros, input text, open files and web pages, adjust media playback, or switch OBS scenes with one tap. The straightforward layout fits gaming, live streaming and professional office task setup
- One Tap Multi-Shortcut: This macro controller pad streaming deck supports multi-shortcut macro programming for gamers and content creators. Custom shortcuts simplify game combo inputs, video editing, music production and photography workflows. The Operation Follow function runs multiple macro steps in custom order or simultaneous execution for adjustable task control
- Adjustable RGB Surround Light Ring - VSD M18 gaming streaming deck features an outer RGB light ring with auto color cycle mode. Custom RGB tones are available via device firmware upgrade. The light ring offers adjustable visual lighting for dim gaming, streaming and night work setups.
- Wide System Compatibility: This VSDinside macro control board works with Windows 11 and newer, macOS 11.0 and newer systems. Connect via USB-C cable for immediate use. It is compatible with mainstream software including OBS, Streamlabs, YouTube, Twitter, Discord, Excel, Word and Photoshop for daily production work. Native Linux system plug-and-play support is not available, while SDK development documents are provided for custom secondary development
Configure Voicemod for Discord
- In Discord, open User Settings → Voice & Video.
- Set Input Device to Voicemod Virtual Audio Device (WDM).
- Set Output Device to your physical headphones or headset.
- Do not set Discord’s output to Line (Voicemod Virtual Audio Device (WDM)).
- Set Discord’s Input Profile to Studio so Krisp, noise suppression, and other processing do not interfere with the virtual microphone.
If Discord is still using your physical microphone as its input, other people will not receive the Voicemod clips.
Keybinds and playback controls
Hover over a sound or voice changer in the Soundboard and select Add Keybind. Playback modes include Play / Restart, Play / Pause, Play / Stop, Play / Overlap, and Push-to-Loop. You can also enable looping, mute or stop other sounds, and mute your voice while a clip plays.
For an emergency stop, use Settings → Keybinds → System Keybinds → Stop All Sounds. Keybinds may not work in some games unless Voicemod runs as administrator; Windows focus behavior can also prevent a shortcut from being detected.
Sharing and mobile control
To share a board, open it, select Share in the board header, and copy the URL. The recipient opens the link and selects Join Soundboard.
The Voicemod mobile app can control desktop soundboards after signing in with the same account or using Controller Mode. It is a remote controller, not an independent mobile Discord microphone route.
3. Soundpad: best Windows soundboard for microphone playback
Soundpad is designed around playing audio through a recording device, normally the microphone. Its product page lists Discord as a supported voice-related application and lists Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. It does not list desktop versions for macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.
Rank #3
- PLUG IN AND HEAR SOUND IN SECONDS - USB Type-A connector with a 3.5mm stereo headphone output and a separate 3.5mm mono microphone input. No drivers, no software, no external power - the adapter is USB bus-powered and is recognized as a standard USB audio device.
- WORKS ON WINDOWS, MAC AND LINUX - Driverless on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8, Linux and Mac OSX, and compliant with the USB Audio Device Class 1.0 specification, so any system that supports class-compliant USB audio will see it. Select it as the sound output and input device after plugging it in.
- TWO JACKS, TWO JOBS - The green jack is stereo OUT for headphones or powered speakers; the pink jack is mono microphone IN for a 3.5mm mic. It does NOT support 4-pole headsets on a single combo plug, it does NOT power passive speakers, and it does NOT add surround sound - it is a stereo 2-channel adapter.
- FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS THAT NEED AN AUDIO PORT BACK - Adds a headphone and mic port to a laptop, desktop, or mini PC whose onboard jack has failed or was never there. Managed and work-issued computers can block new USB audio devices by policy - check with your IT department before ordering for a company machine.
- SABRENT SUPPORT AND WARRANTY - What is in the box: one USB audio sound adapter. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, extended to 2 years when you register within 90 days on the manufacturer's website.
Soundpad can send a clip to Headphones, Microphone, or Both. Double-click and hotkey playback use Both by default. The Block voice option replaces the microphone signal rather than mixing the sound with it.
Useful Soundpad controls
- Assign one hotkey to each sound, such as F1, Ctrl+G, or Shift+Mouse1.
- Use Alt+17 for a numpad hotkey.
- Use Ctrl+Alt+1 or Ctrl+Alt+25 for index hotkeys.
- With the sound list focused, press Enter to move through search results and Ctrl+Enter to play the selected sound.
- Right-click a sound and choose Edit file to edit it.
The built-in recorder can capture “what you hear,” including audio from YouTube, streams, or games. Recording can also use start and stop hotkeys while Soundpad is not the foreground window.
Fixing Soundpad playback that nobody hears
Soundpad installs for the Windows default recording device by default. If clips play through your own headphones but not in Discord, check which device Windows has set as the default recording device and confirm that Discord is listening to that same input. A mismatch between Soundpad’s device and Discord’s input is a common routing failure.
4. Resanance: best free Windows soundboard
Resanance is a Windows soundboard that works with applications accepting microphone input, including Discord. Its official site describes it as free and lists unlimited sounds and hotkeys, per-button volume, search, name sorting, random sound on hotkey, MIDI, text-to-speech, multiple output devices, and separate local and microphone volume controls.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The basic controls are simple: right-click to add and left-click to play. That makes Resanance useful when you want a large collection of clips without the server-slot model used by Discord’s native Soundboard.
Resanance and Discord routing
Resanance is not a Discord bot or slash-command integration. It supplies audio to an application that accepts microphone input. Discord must therefore be set to the input device receiving Resanance’s microphone output.
Rank #4
- 【Multi-Function Podcast Audio Mixer】-- 7 Independent volume knob adjustments and 2 fader button adjustments, covering bass, alto, treble, backing track and monitoring, etc, the breathing light can follow the volume to change synchronously. The digital sound mixer supports 16 kinds of personalized sound effects. These features make a live stream or a podcast more entertaining and meet more live recording needs, enough to meet the needs for podcasting beginner.
- 【Entry-Level Podcast System】-- Using digital DSP intelligent processing chip, the audio signal is stable and clear, and intelligent noise reduction has no delay. USB audio interface. Independent Bluetooth switch key, support Bluetooth wireless accompaniment. Built-in 1200 mAh capacity battery, there is no need to frequently plug in the power source, this soundcard adopts a compact portable design, does not take up too much space, and is easy to carry.
- 【Born for Live Streaming】-- Integrate audio and sound card mixing equipment into a comprehensive solution. Supports up to 2 people and 3 devices to broadcast live at the same time. Compatible with IOS, Android, ipad, Mac OS and Windows systems. If you are looking for an audio equipment for recording, gaming, podcasting, and live streaming, adding it to your setup is a good choice.
- 【Wide Applications】-- Suitable for PS4/ PS5 microphone recording studio, home studios recording, DJ mixer, music recording, guitars, condenser microphones, karaoke, podcasts, live broadcasts, gaming, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube streaming. Plug and play.
- 【Package Included】-- The introductory podcast kit for live broadcast includes: sound mixer board, data cable, audio cable x2, instruction manual. It is an ideal choice for beginners or intermediate podcasts. Easy to use. The design of soundcard sound effects and button panel makes it simpler.
If a clip plays inside Resanance but nobody in Discord can hear it, check Discord’s selected input device and Resanance’s microphone-output route. The official site confirms microphone-input operation, but it does not provide a current Discord-specific settings path.
Do not assume that Resanance includes a virtual audio cable. The current official page mentions microphone-input operation and multiple-device playback but does not state that a virtual cable is included in the current installer. It also does not state a current release number, release date, or end-of-support date. Its tested Windows versions should not be taken as proof of active support for every listed version.
5. Clownfish Voice Changer: best for system-wide effects
Clownfish Voice Changer is broader than a dedicated soundboard. It applies voice effects at the system level to applications using the microphone, including Discord, and includes a Sound Player for hotkey-triggered audio.
Set up Clownfish
- Start Clownfish and right-click its icon in the Windows system tray.
- Open Setup and install Clownfish on the capture device you want to modify. Installation and removal require administrator rights.
- Open Set Voice Changer and choose an effect.
- Choose Clear effect to disable all voice effects.
- Open Sound Player to play predefined sounds with their assigned hotkeys.
Double-clicking the tray icon toggles Clownfish. The Hear microphone option lets you monitor the modified voice.
Adding custom sounds
If custom sounds cannot be added, run Clownfish as administrator. If that does not work, manually copy the sound files to C:\Program Files (x86)\ClownfishVoiceChanger\sounds and restart Clownfish.
Fixing voice effects
Open Windows recording-device properties for the microphone. If an Enhancements tab exists, Disable all enhancements should be unchecked. If there is no Enhancements tab, the Advanced tab should have Enable audio enhancements checked. Clownfish also provides four installation modes under Setup; changing the mode and reinstalling the device is an official troubleshooting step.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBest Value
- The sound board use intelligent noise reduction chip, audio processing is faster and more stable,so that the input voice is clearer and without delay. NOTE:The soundboard incompatible gaming devices,like PS5.
- The sound effects machine supports bluetooth-compatible connection, you can transmit accompaniment music through mobile phones, get rid of the shackles of wires.
- This sound mixer board with LED light, bright light, a variety of color changes, increase the indoor atmosphere.The size of the sound board is 7.48 x4.65 x1.10 inches.Easy to set up and easy to put back. Doesn't take hardly and space.
- This sound board for streaming can be used for DJ, music studio recording, condenser microphone, karaoke online, podcast, mic, singing, k song, live stream,and YouTube streaming, guitar, Facebook, anchor, voice mixing , home audio recorder.
- The audio mixer for streaming has strong compatibility, suitable for mobile phones/computers. Home K-araoke, Voice Chat, Live, Facebook, Periscope, Livestream, Wechat, Smule and more, Plug and Play.
Match the installer architecture to Windows. The official FAQ states that a 64-bit package will not install on a 32-bit operating system.
Which Discord soundboard should you choose?
| If you need… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| No installation and no microphone routing | Discord Soundboard |
| Custom audio, voice effects, and sophisticated playback modes | Voicemod |
| Fast hotkeys and direct Windows microphone playback | Soundpad |
| A free Windows board with unlimited sounds and extra controls | Resanance |
| System-wide voice effects with a basic sound player | Clownfish Voice Changer |
Quick troubleshooting checklist
- Check Discord’s input. Third-party soundboards normally need Discord to listen to their configured microphone or virtual input, not your physical microphone.
- Check the output separately. With Voicemod, Discord’s output should be your physical headset or headphones, not Line (Voicemod Virtual Audio Device (WDM)).
- Check local volume. Discord Soundboard has its own volume setting, and third-party apps may have separate local and microphone volume controls.
- Check permissions. Native Discord playback can be blocked by missing Use Soundboard, Create Expressions, or Manage Expressions permissions.
- Check the clip limit. Voicemod rejects files over 20 MB or eight minutes. Re-encoding to 48 kHz WAV is one of its recommended fixes.
- Check duplicate capture. OBS can capture duplicate Voicemod audio; Voicemod lists Mute for Me or routing Voicemod as its own source as possible fixes.
- Check administrator and architecture requirements. Some keybinds and Clownfish installation operations need administrator rights, while Clownfish also requires the installer architecture to match Windows.
FAQ
Can I use Discord Soundboard without Nitro?
Yes. Nitro is not required to use sounds in the server where those sounds are available. Nitro is required to use sounds from other servers across servers.
Do third-party soundboards add sounds to Discord’s native Soundboard?
No. Apps such as Voicemod, Soundpad, Resanance, and Clownfish generally route audio through a microphone or input device. They do not automatically populate a server’s native Discord Soundboard slots.
Why can I hear my soundboard but nobody else can?
Discord is probably listening to a different input device. For Voicemod, set Discord’s Input Device to Voicemod Virtual Audio Device (WDM). For Soundpad or Resanance, confirm that the app’s microphone-output route matches Discord’s selected input.
Can I upload Discord Soundboard clips from mobile?
No. Discord’s current guide states that sound uploading is available on desktop or browser, not mobile. Mobile users can play available sounds from a voice channel.
Which soundboard is best for Windows hotkeys?
Soundpad focuses on hotkey playback, with per-sound hotkeys, index hotkeys, search shortcuts, and configurable playback destinations. Voicemod is another good choice when you also want voice effects and advanced playback modes.
The Bottom Line
Discord Soundboard is the best starting point because it is native, requires no installation, and does not need microphone routing. Pick Voicemod for custom soundboards and voice effects. Choose Soundpad for focused Windows hotkey playback, Resanance for a free Windows board with extensive controls, or Clownfish when system-wide voice effects matter as much as sound clips.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
