OD Link Audio over IP sends audio directly between Macs. One connection can carry audio in both directions, with separate transmit and receive routing. This example connects a venue Mac to a studio Mac for a program feed and a return.
Prepare both locations
Install the same OD Link build on both Macs and allow Microphone and Local Network access when prompted. Connect each Mac to its router by Ethernet where possible. Select a capture device in Transmit, a playback device in Receive, and a matching sample rate on both Macs.
Start with one or two channels before patching the full production. Demo supports a direct IP connection with 32 channels and periodic audio muting. UDP Match is included in Pro and Performance. Check license options for the capacity you need.
Choose the connection method
UDP Match: connect by name. In General Settings, give the Macs distinct Local OD Link Names, such as Venue and Studio. Add a row in Connections on each Mac, enable UDP Match, and enter the other Mac’s name in OD Link Name. If using a password, enter the same value at both ends. Set encryption consistently, then enable both connections.
UDP Match introduces the peers; it does not relay their audio. If the networks prevent a direct connection, arrange a reachable UDP port with the network administrator and use direct IP instead. See how UDP Match works.
Direct IP: connect to the other Mac’s address. Add a connection on each Mac with the other site’s public IP and UDP port. For an internet link, both routers must forward the configured UDP port to their local Mac. The default is 32102. Run Check Port Status at each location and enable both connections. Do not disable the firewall globally; allow the required traffic only.
Patch the outgoing and return audio
| Location | Transmit | Receive |
|---|---|---|
| Venue Mac | Capture device inputs 1–2 into link channels 1–2 | Return channels 1–2 to a separate monitor destination |
| Studio Mac | A return source into link channels 1–2 | Venue channels 1–2 to the studio playback device |
Select the connection in each tab before editing its matrix. Use Auto Patch 1:1 for matching channel numbers, or select individual crosspoints. Enable the required Transmit and Receive directions as well as the master Enabled switch in Connections.
Keep the received return out of the source mix being sent back. A return path should not feed itself around the connection.
Check signal and network timing
Send a familiar source. Confirm input meters at the sender, signal at the receiver and sound from the intended output. Repeat in the opposite direction. If the link connects but stays silent, check the routing matrix, device selection and direction switches.
For program audio, Audio mode provides Opus encoding; PCM modes require more bandwidth. Start the receive Audio Buffer on Auto, observe loss and jitter during a representative run, and adjust one setting at a time. Packet latency alone is not the total delay between locations. See latency and receive-buffer settings.
To feed this connection from software, continue with DAW send and return routing. For a Dante source, use the Dante and Core Audio guide.
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