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🛠️ Tools🗂️ SDK📄 White Paper
  • Getting Started
    • 🟣What is NDI?
    • 🆕Release Notes
    • đź“„White Paper
      • Discovery & Registration
        • mDNS
        • Discovery Service
        • Manual Connection
        • NDI Groups
      • NDI Protocols
        • Reliable UDP - NDI 5
        • Multipath TCP - NDI 4
        • UDP with Forward Error Correction – NDI 3
        • Single TCP – NDI 1
      • NDI Related Network Ports
      • Getting video across the network
      • Network Layout
      • Bandwidth
        • NDI High Bandwidth based on SpeedHQ2 (8bit 4:2:2)
        • NDI High Bandwidth based on SpeedHQ7 (8bit 4:2:2:4)
        • NDI HX2 h.264 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX2 h.265 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX3 h.264 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI HX3 h.265 (8bit 4:2:0)
        • NDI Proxy and bandwidth optimization
      • Network Interface Settings
      • NIC Selection
      • Encoding and Decoding
      • Multicast
      • NDI Administrative Settings
      • Synchronization
      • NDI in the Cloud
    • Glossary
      • NDI Terminology
      • Industry Terminology
  • Using NDI
    • Introduction
    • NDI for Video
      • Digital Video Basics
      • NDI Video Codecs and Format Matrix
      • NDI Encoding Support Matrix
        • Practical NDI Receivers Format Support
        • Practical NDI Transmitters Support
        • Summary Table
      • Interoperability Scenarios
    • NDI for Audio
      • Digital Audio Fundamentals
      • Audio Over IP
      • Technical Facts About NDI for Audio
      • Use Cases
      • Products Using NDI for Audio
    • ⚒️NDI Tools
      • Release Notes
      • Installing NDI Tools
        • Software License Agreement
        • Privacy Policy
      • NDI Tools Launcher
      • NDI Tools for Windows
        • Access Manager
        • Bridge
          • NDI Bridge automation
          • Configuring Port Forwarding
          • Bridge Tool Logging
        • Remote
        • Router
        • Screen Capture
        • Screen Capture HX
        • Studio Monitor
        • Test Patterns
        • Webcam Input
      • NDI Tools for Mac
        • Access Manager
        • Scan Converter
        • Router
        • Test Patterns
        • Video Monitor
        • Virtual Input
      • Plugins
        • NDI for After Effects
        • NDI for Premiere Pro
        • NDI Output for Final Cut Pro
        • NDI for VLC
        • Audio Direct
        • OBS
    • Utilities
      • Analysis
    • Using NDI with Software
      • Getting Started with NDI in OBS for Windows or Mac
      • Using OBS Studio as a Commentary System
      • Using NDI Tools as a virtual camera in Mac
      • Using NDI and Dante on the same Network
      • Use OBS video + audio on Zoom with macOS
    • Using NDI with Hardware
      • NDI HX upgrades for cameras
      • How to Activate Panasonic Cameras for NDI HX1 — Step-by-Step
      • Recommended Network Switch Settings for NDI
  • Developing with NDI
    • Introduction
    • đź“‚SDK
      • Release Notes
      • Licensing
      • Software Distribution
        • Header Files
        • Binary Files
        • Redistributables
        • Content Files
        • Libraries
        • NDI-SEND
        • NDI-FIND
        • NDI-RECEIVE
        • Utilities
        • Command Line Tools
      • CPU Requirements
      • Dynamic Loading of NDI Libraries
      • Performance and Implementation
      • Startup and Shutdown
      • Example Code
      • Port Numbers
      • đź”§Configuration Files
      • Platform Considerations
      • NDI-SEND
      • NDI-FIND
      • NDI-RECV
      • NDI Routing
      • HDR
      • Command Line Tools
      • Frame Types
        • Video Frames
        • Audio Frames
        • Metadata Frames
      • Windows DirectShow Filter
      • 3rd Party Rights
      • Support
    • Advanced SDK
      • Release Notes
      • Licensing
      • Overview
      • Configuration Files
      • NDI SDK Review
        • Sending
          • Asynchronous Sending Completions
          • NDI Sending On High Latency Connections
        • Receiving
          • Custom Allocators
            • Video Allocators
            • Audio Allocators
          • Dynamic Bandwidth Adjustment
        • Finding
        • Video Formats
          • Receiver Codec Support Level
          • Frame Synchronization
      • Genlock
      • AV Sync
        • Guidelines
        • Creating and Destroying Devices
        • Recovering Audio
      • Using H.264, H.265, and AAC Codecs
        • Sending Audio Frames
        • Sending Video Frames
        • H.264 Support
        • H.265 Support
        • AAC Support
        • OPUS Support
        • Latency of Compressed Streams
        • Stream Validation
      • External Tally Support
      • KVM Support
      • NDI Advanced SDK FPGA Example Designs
        • Prebuilt uSD Images
        • NDI FPGA Reference Design
          • FPGA Projects
            • Changelog
          • C++ Application Code
            • Changelog
          • linux_kernel
            • Changelog
          • uSD Image Builder
            • Changelog
        • Changelog
    • Utilities
      • Unreal Engine SDK
        • Release Notes
        • Licensing
        • NDI Plugin Installation
        • Simple Setup of Broadcast and Receivers
        • NDI Broadcast Actor
        • NDI Receiver Actor
        • NDI Media Assets
        • Getting Started with Example Blueprint Projects
        • Advanced
      • Free Audio
      • Bridge Service
        • Installation
          • Silent Installation
        • Configuration
          • Web UI
          • Configuration File
          • Manual API Key Management
        • Webhooks
        • WebSockets
        • API
    • NDI Certified
      • Certification Guidelines
        • Interoperability Requirements
        • Technical Requirements
      • Certification Process
        • Pre-certification Checklist
        • Device Testing Methods
          • Camera
          • HDMI Encoder
          • SDI Encoder
          • Decoder
          • NDI Controller
          • NDI Monitor
          • Multicast Testing
        • Detailed process
    • Metadata
      • Metadata Sources
      • Metadata for XML
      • XML Validation
      • Metadata Elements
      • Proposed New Metadata Messages
      • PTZ and Control Messages
      • Undocumented Mysteries
  • FAQ
    • Index
    • NDI Tools
      • What is the NDI Analysis Tool and where do I get it from?
      • Why does my NDI connection stay active once the source is offline?
      • Why are my changes to the NDI JSON configuration file not being saved?
      • Why is the license for my Panasonic camera not active?
      • How does registration for NDI Tools work?
      • How do I use NDI output with Microsoft Teams
      • The time code on my file is incorrect, how do I change it?
      • Where is Screen Capture (HX) for Mac?
      • How can I make NDI Tools launch automatically?
      • What is the NDI ECCN?
    • NDI Certified
      • What is the NDI Certification Program?
      • Why did you start this certification program?​
      • What happens to my device after it's certified?
      • Is certification mandatory to be a partner of NDI?​
      • I am an OEM manufacturer, can my products be certified?​
      • How long does the certification process take?
      • How do I become certified?​
      • What happens if my product doesn’t meet the requirements for Certification?​
      • Are there any fees to become NDI Certified?
    • Common Issues
      • I'm having trouble getting multicast set up.
      • I'm having trouble with my NDI HX License
      • Why can't I find my Android 14-based NDI devices on my network?
      • Why won’t NDI Tools install on my Windows PC?
      • How do I enable NDI in “New” Microsoft Teams (Windows only)?
      • Why can’t HX Capture display the full resolution of my iPad or iPhone?
      • The NDI HX Camera app won't launch on older phones and iOS
      • Why won't MacOS Sonoma (14.1) recognize NDI Tools as a virtual camera?
      • I'm having issues with Virtual Input for macOS
      • I'm having issues with Final Cut Pro
      • NDI Camera App Issue
    • SDK
      • Where can I find the source code for the FPGA board?
      • What system resources are required to support a design including the NDI FPGA Codecs?
      • Why can’t my h264/265 video be received by an NDI receiver when using the embedded SDK?
      • Can I use the Unreal SDK on Mac?
      • What are the Differences Between the NDI SDK and the NDI Advanced SDK
    • ✨NDI 6
      • Do I need to upgrade to NDI 6 if I'm not using the new features?
      • Is there a fee to upgrade to NDI 6
      • Why doesn't my existing Vendor ID work with NDI 6?
      • How can I get a previous version of NDI Tools or the SDK?
    • NDI HX License Upgrades
      • What is happening with NDI HX Upgrades?
      • Will my existing HX-upgraded camera be affected?
      • I bought a camera before June 30, 2025, but didn't buy an HX license. Can I still get one?
      • I bought a license and a camera but didn't redeem it until after. Can I still get an HX license?
      • If my HX upgrade fails can I transfer the license?
      • Can I sell my upgraded HX camera and keep the license?
      • Will my NDI version work with my current HX license?
      • What does the HX upgrade sunset program mean for camera manufacturers?
      • What will NDI Support do for licenses after the sunset date?
      • I factory reset my camera and forgot the license. Can you help me get it back?
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On this page
  • Introduction
  • Application
  • Audio Outputs
  • Audio Inputs and Outputs

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  1. Developing with NDI
  2. Utilities

Free Audio

Introduction

NDI Free Audio is an NDI utility that runs on all platforms and allows you to interface an audio device with NDI. This would for instance allow you to use a Raspberry Pi or similar cheap

compute devices as the world’s cheapest audio I/O device for IP audio; many of these devices have support for high quality audio connections1 which allows for professional quality audio over IP in ways that have truly never been possible before. When combined with the NDI Audio Direct audio plugins for all common digital audio workstations, one of the many NDI applications, or even Skype, Teams or Zoom. This will revolutionize the way audio is performed on the network.

This application supports any channel count and number of audio channels that are supported by your audio device. All NDI capabilities such as routing, discovery, floating point audio, WAN support are fully enabled.

Application

NDI Free audio is a command line tool that you can run on any device and should support all common audio interfaces on all operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac.

There is not an installer for the Mac due to the cost and time to make an installer for the Mac, which would require Apple's review. The Windows and Mac "installers" include a license click-through which requires the user to accept the NDI Free Audio EULA and why we don't have the application binary available for download. The binary is included in the Mac version of the NDI SDK.

When you run the application, it will provide you with a description of the options available and the list of audio devices on your system. For instance:

NDI Free Audio v5.0.0.0
Copyright (C)2014-2021, NewTek, inc.

Options:
-input "audio device name" or -input 1
or -input default
-input_name "Some Source"
-input_gain +10dB

-output "audio device name" or -output 3
or -output default
-output_name "Some Network Source"
-output_gain -15dB

Input Devices:
1 : Microphone (Jabra BIZ 2300) [default]
2 : FrontMic (Realtek High Definition Audio)
3 : Line (NewTek NDI Audio)
4 : Microphone (HuddleCamHD)

Output Devices:
1 :G276HL (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
2 : Speakers (Jabra BIZ 2300) [default]
3 : Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
4 : G276HL (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
5 : Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)

Audio Inputs

If you wish to receive audio from an input and turn it into NDI source you would specify the name of the audio device that you wish to use. For instance, you my use:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -input "Microphone (Jabra BIZ 2300) [default]"

Which will create an NDI output named “Free Audio” on the network. If you wish to specify the name of the NDI output, then you can simply provide it as follows.

NDIFreeAudio.exe -input "Microphone (Jabra BIZ 2300) [default]"

-input_name "My NDI Output"

One may use the audio input by list index with:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -input 2

If one wishes just to use the default audio device, then simply specify:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -input default

Finally, if one wishes to specify the audio gain on the device then one can provide this in decibel units:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -input default -input_gain +12dB

Audio Outputs

If you wish to take an NDI source and make it available on an audio output, you would specify the name of the audio device that you wish to use. It is of course then required that you specify the NDI source on the network that you wish to produce the audio from.

For instance, you my use:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -output "Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)"

-output_name "DRUNK (Test Patterns)"

One may use the audio output by list index with:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -output 4 -output_name "DRUNK (Test Patterns)"

If one wishes just to use the default audio device, then simply specify:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -output default -output_name "DRUNK (Test Patterns)"

Finally, if one wishes to specify the audio gain on the device then one can provide this in decibel units:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -output default -output_name "DRUNK (Test Patterns)"

-output_gain +12dB

Audio Inputs and Outputs

It is possible to use a single instance of this tool to run both audio input and output at the same time:

NDIFreeAudio.exe -output default -output_name "DRUNK (Test Patterns)"

-input default -input_name “My Source”

If one wishes to use multiple audio devices on your system at once, then you may simply run multiple separate application instances.

Last updated 1 month ago

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With the release of NDI 6.1.0 it will be available as a free standalone . Additionally, there is added support for ASIO devices on Windows.

On raspberrypi
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