Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for operators and administrators. For step-by-step setup, see the Intercom manual and production guides. Explore the Server App or Cloud for your crew.
Getting started
What do I need to start using OD Link Intercom?
You need an Intercom client, access to a server app or Cloud room, and a username and password from its administrator. Allow microphone access, enable L to listen, then select ARM and hold TALK to speak. Test both directions with another participant before your production.
Which devices are the clients for?
Current build targets are macOS 14 or later, iOS / iPadOS 17 or later, Android 10 or later on 64-bit devices, and Windows 10 version 1809 or later on x64, including Windows 11. Windows also requires the Windows App Runtime 1.8 dependency. The Server App runs only on macOS 14 or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. Downloads remain Available soon.
Does every participant need to run a server?
No. Participants run clients and join the server or room prepared for the production. With the server app, a Mac hosts the server. With Cloud, the room is hosted for you and does not require a local server Mac.
Does everyone need a Cloud account?
No. The owner uses a Cloud management account for the subscription and room. Participants sign in with the room's Server Name and the usernames and passwords created by the administrator, not the owner's email or management password.
What should we check before going live?
Confirm each person's group and permissions, then test channel TALK, listening, private TALK, and REPLY. Check the actual microphones and headsets, program feeds if used, and mobile screen-lock behaviour. Clear unintended latches and VOX before handing devices to the crew.
Server App and Cloud
What audio codec does OD Link Intercom use?
OD Link Intercom uses Opus with both Server App and Cloud. Voice uses a speech profile; Audio Feeds use a separate music-oriented profile. These profiles are configured automatically in the macOS, Windows, iOS / iPadOS and Android clients; there is no codec or bitrate setting to adjust.
How does Intercom handle packet loss?
Voice combines Reed–Solomon packet FEC, Opus in-band FEC and Deep Redundancy (DRED). Extra recovery data helps rebuild missing packets or reconstruct missing speech; packet-loss concealment (PLC) covers gaps when recovery data is unavailable. This protection is automatic in both directions between clients and servers. Audio Feeds use packet FEC and PLC, without voice DRED. Recovery depends on which packets arrive and whether they arrive in time for playback.
Is Intercom audio encrypted?
Yes. AES-256-GCM encrypts audio in transit between each client and its server, with both Server App and Cloud. The server decrypts audio to route and mix it, then encrypts outgoing audio for recipients.
What is the difference between the server app and Cloud?
The server app runs on your Mac, with server configuration, network access, and physical server audio devices under your control. Cloud provides a hosted room that participants join by name. Server app licensing and Cloud subscriptions are separate options.
How many users can join?
The server app supports up to 500 users. Cloud supports up to 100 users in one room / subscription. These are the supported maximums; the capacity available to you depends on your server license or Cloud subscription.
Can the crew connect from phones over the internet?
Yes. Phones, tablets and computers can join over the internet using Cloud or Direct Connection. Cloud participants enter the room name and their account credentials; Direct Connection uses server details supplied by the administrator. Local Network is an additional option when you are on the server's network.
Do participants need to configure the server network?
No. Cloud participants use their internet connection, room name and account credentials. With a team's own Server App, the server administrator prepares internet reachability and supplies the connection details. Participants do not need to administer the server or its router.
What does a Cloud subscription include?
One hosted room with the selected user capacity, up to 100 users, plus up to 100 channels, 100 groups and 100 Audio Feeds. New subscriptions start at 5 users; smaller teams can use the 5-user subscription. Channel, group and feed limits are included regardless of the purchased user count. Each group maps channels to 10 positions on the client panel. Cloud is a separate subscription, not included with a Server App license.
Demo and licensing
Is there a Demo, and what are its limits?
The Server App Demo allows 4 user accounts and routes the first 4 channels, 4 groups and 4 Audio Feeds. Audio is periodically interrupted. Demo is for evaluation, not production, and does not include a free Cloud room. A paid server license removes the Demo routing limits and audio interruptions.
Why does the client show 10 channels if Demo routes only four?
The client has 10 channel positions, but the server determines which channels carry audio. A Demo server routes only the first four. A paid server license removes the Demo routing limits and silence; user-account capacity still follows the purchased license.
Are the client apps free?
Yes. Client apps are free. Your team needs access to a Server App or Cloud room; the server license or Cloud subscription is paid separately. The Server App Demo is a restricted local evaluation option.
What does the $399 Server App license include?
The one-time $399 license includes all current Server App features for one Mac: Core Audio I/O, IFB, AES-256-GCM audio encryption, up to 128 channels, 128 groups and 128 Audio Feeds, plus 4 user accounts. No separate feature licenses or feature subscription are required. Additional users are sold separately, up to 500 total. Created accounts count even when disabled. The paid license removes Demo restrictions. Cloud hosting, audio hardware and paid third-party audio software are not included.
Which audio interfaces work with the Server App?
The Server App uses Core Audio-compatible input and output devices on macOS, including USB and Thunderbolt interfaces and virtual audio devices exposed by their drivers. Use a compatible interface for two-way audio integration with existing intercom systems, mixing consoles and other production audio equipment: bring their audio into OD Link channels and Audio Feeds, and send channel audio back to those systems. The Server App uses r8brain-free-src for sample-rate conversion when external audio inputs or outputs run at a different rate from its internal audio engine. OD Link charges no separate I/O license. Device channel counts and compatibility depend on the hardware and macOS driver; test your setup with the free Demo. Any paid third-party drivers or virtual audio software are separate purchases.
Why choose OD Link Intercom over other intercom solutions?
OD Link gives you the full current Server App feature set for $399 one-time: Core Audio I/O, IFB, up to 128 channels, 128 groups and 128 Audio Feeds, AES-256-GCM audio encryption, and 4 user accounts. No extra charges to unlock I/O, program feeds, channels, groups or encryption. No feature subscription. Client apps are free on macOS, Windows, iOS / iPadOS and Android. Expand your team by purchasing additional users, up to 500 total. Cloud hosting is a separate subscription; audio hardware and paid third-party audio software are not included.
Does a perpetual server license need internet access?
Yes. Internet access is required for license activation and periodic validation. The license is a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
Server App license and support
Is the Server App license a subscription?
No. The Server App license is perpetual: pay once for one Mac, with no monthly license fee. It includes 4 user accounts; additional users are sold separately. Cloud is a separate subscription. The transfer, update and support rules in this section apply to the Server App license, not Cloud.
Can I move my license to a new Mac?
Yes, as often as you like. Deactivate on the old Mac to free the seat, then activate with the same key on the new one. Machine transfers are unlimited.
Can I change the email my license is registered to?
Yes. Use Transfer in the app's License section; a confirmation link goes to your current email. You can change the owner email up to three times over the life of a key. Further email-owner changes require a new license.
My Mac died and I couldn't deactivate it. What now?
Email [email protected] and we'll free the seat for you. This manual assistance is available up to three times over the life of your license; the self-service machine transfer covers everything while your old Mac still runs.
Where does my license key come from?
By email from [email protected], right after purchase. Checkout itself is handled by Creem, our Merchant of Record.
Do email changes and manual activation resets share a limit?
No. The lifetime limit of three email-owner changes and the lifetime limit of three support-assisted activation resets are separate. Self-service moves between Macs are unlimited and do not use either allowance.
How are updates delivered, and do they cost extra?
Updates for the version you own are free. Download the latest build from your product's Download page at odlink.app. This does not include a license for every future major version.
Does updating affect my license?
Installing an update to the version you own on the same Mac does not require buying another license or use an additional activation. Moving to a different Mac follows the license-transfer rules. Updating does not change the product's license-validation or internet requirements.
How long is support included?
Each license includes one year of support from activation: email help with setup and licensing. Your license is perpetual, so the app keeps working after that, and updates to the version you own stay free.
Channels and talking
How many channels does the client have, and what are groups?
The client has 10 channel positions. A group maps channels into those positions, so you can switch between permitted layouts. A group is not an extra audio channel, and changing your layout does not grant access to channels your administrator has restricted.
What is the difference between L, ARM, and TALK?
L turns listening to a channel on or off. ARM selects a destination for the main TALK button; it does not start transmission by itself. Hold TALK to speak to the armed destinations and release it to stop that momentary transmission. Settings can instead assign TALK to a specific channel.
Can I talk without holding a button?
Yes. Tap or click a channel tile's body to latch talk on, then use the same action to turn it off. Alternatively, enable VOX for voice-operated transmission to selected destinations. Set the microphone gate for your real environment, and turn hands-free transmission off when finished.
How do private TALK, REPLY, and ALERT work?
In Users, hold TALK beside a person to address them directly. The main REPLY button answers the last private caller while held. ALERT notifies a user who is offline so they can join the conversation; it does not open their microphone. Mobile alerts depend on notification permissions and device settings.
Why am I still transmitting after releasing TALK?
A separately latched channel or active VOX can keep your microphone transmitting after a momentary TALK hold ends. ALL OFF clears latches, ARM selections, held talk and private-talk states, and VOX. It does not mute your listening or disconnect you from the room.
Audio and headsets
Can I use a built-in microphone, a wired headset, or Bluetooth?
Mobile audio routing is managed by the operating system and the connected accessory's capabilities. On macOS, choose the input, microphone channel, output, and output-channel pair in the client. After any headset change, test both directions: hearing sound through an accessory does not prove its microphone is active.
Why is playback quiet even though the meters are moving?
Meters show signal activity, not loudness at your ear. Check the selected output, system or headset volume, main VOL, and channel listening level. Incoming Audio Boost can add received gain if needed, but first confirm the output path and raise levels gradually.
Why is my microphone quiet, distorted, or cutting off words?
First check microphone position and the actual input route. Then check automatic or manual microphone level and any server Mic Trim. Excessive gain can distort; a gate threshold set too high can cut off quiet speech. On macOS, also check the input channel and whether Microphone Pad is attenuating the signal.
How can I reduce echo or background noise?
Use a consistent microphone position and keep loudspeaker playback away from an open microphone. Echo Cancellation helps reduce playback returning through the mic; Noise Suppression reduces steady background noise. Test speech intelligibility with the actual setup rather than assuming processing can solve every acoustic problem.
Can I listen to program audio alongside the crew?
Yes. Select an available Program Feed supplied by the server and permitted for your account. Feed Level balances it against conversations. Program Feed Ducking and Private Talk Ducking can reduce its level during speech, so a temporary dip may be intentional rather than an audio fault.
Accounts and administration
Can an administrator control who talks and who listens?
Yes. Talk and listen permissions are assigned separately per user and channel. The administrator also controls group access and can lock protected settings or personal channel-layout editing. A disabled control can reflect permissions or channel mode, not a broken client.
Can permissions change while people are connected?
Yes. Administrators can update talk and listen permissions without asking users to sign in again. Coordinate changes during a production: removing a permission changes what the affected operator can hear or address.
Who can change a participant's password?
An authorised administrator can view and replace a user's password. Send the new value privately to the intended participant. If a later sign-in fails, check the current account value rather than an old screenshot or a password saved on the device.
What is the difference between kicking and disabling a user?
Kick disconnects the current session, but an enabled user with valid credentials can try to reconnect. Disable Account prevents that account from signing in. Administrators can also unlatch talk keys without disabling the account when the immediate problem is an open microphone.
Can I save my server setup for another production?
The server app offers Save Configuration and Restore Configuration. Save a known-good setup before substantial changes, and recheck accounts, routing, and connectivity after restoring. Exported configuration can contain credentials, so keep it secure and do not place it in a public download folder.
Connection and recovery
Why is my local server missing from the list?
Check that the server app is running and advertising is enabled. Confirm Local Network permission where required and that the network allows devices to reach each other. If its address is reachable, try Direct Connection; working Direct access with missing discovery points to a discovery or network-isolation issue.
Why does sign-in say the username, password, or server is wrong?
Check the connection mode and exact server or Cloud room name. Use the account's User Name, not its Display Name, and check for accidental spaces. Ask the administrator to confirm that the account is enabled and the password has not changed since you saved it.
What if I sign in but the channel console does not load?
Signing in and loading console data are separate stages. For Local or Direct, the administrator should check reachability of the configured TCP port as well as UDP. For Cloud, check internet access and room status, then retry; participants do not need to forward a port to the hosted server.
Why does audio only work in one direction?
If you hear others but they cannot hear you, check microphone permission, input, talk rights, and ARM or TALK destination. If they hear you but you hear nothing, check L, listen rights, VOL, and the output route. Test with one person privately to separate device problems from channel selection.
What happens when I lock the screen, reopen the app, or lose connection?
An active background session depends on operating-system permissions and network access; switching apps is not the same as force-stopping the client. Continuous Log-In supports reconnection after a link drops, but cannot overcome an unavailable network or invalid credentials. Calls and other audio interruptions can temporarily take priority. Test screen lock and return before relying on the setup, and verify both audio directions after an interruption.
Still need help? Contact [email protected] with your platform, app version, connection mode, and a description of the issue. Do not include passwords or license keys.