Choosing Your TTRPG Soundboard: Audio Forge vs. Competitors (2025 Guide)

The right audio can transform a good tabletop RPG session into an unforgettable, immersive experience. Music sets the mood, ambient sounds build the atmosphere, and perfectly timed effects punctuate critical moments. With numerous TTRPG soundboard apps available—like Audio Forge, TableTone, Pocket Bard, Syrinscape, SoundTale, RPG Master Sounds Mixer, and even free resources like Tabletop Audio or Spotify, choosing the right one for your GM style and needs can be daunting.

This guide compares some of the most popular options based on key factors to help you decide which tool will best elevate your campaigns in 2025.

What Matters Most? Key Comparison Points

When evaluating TTRPG soundboards, consider these crucial aspects:

• Customization & Flexibility: How much control do you have over sounds, categories, and playback? Can you tailor it precisely to your unique campaign world?
• Sound Sourcing: Are you limited to a built-in library, or can you import your own files, record audio, or access online resources?
• Ease of Use & Workflow: How intuitive is the app during prep and live gameplay? Does it streamline or hinder your GMing flow?
• Pricing Model: Is it free? Subscription-based? A one-time purchase? Are core features locked behind paywalls?
• Advanced Features: Does it offer capabilities beyond basic playback, like dynamic transitions, scene saving (state links), or integrations?

The Contenders: A Feature Comparison

Let’s see how different apps stack up across these key areas:

A. Customization & Flexibility

• Audio Forge: Built for deep customization. Easily import any audio file (MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC). Customize categories with unique names, icons, colors, and playback behaviors (loop, shuffle, single play, pauses). Supports multiple distinct sound libraries. Ideal for GMs wanting total control over a personalized soundscape.
• Pocket Bard: Offers high-quality, curated content but does not allow importing user audio files. Customization is limited to working within their provided sounds and structure.
• TableTone: Focuses on its “adaptive audio” mixing paradigm. Customization centers around its specific mixing approach, not granular file/category management.
• RPG Master Sounds Mixer: Primarily designed for mixing and layering its library sounds. Customization depth is tied to its specific mixing workflow.
• SoundTale: Provides a feature set, but users report significant features may require payment, potentially limiting customization for free users.
• Syrinscape: Known for pre-made “soundsets.” Offers minimal granular customization of individual sounds/categories, focusing on its integrated packs.
• Tabletop Audio/Spotify/YouTube: Essentially zero app-level customization. You use pre-made tracks or playlists as-is.

B. Sound Sourcing

• Audio Forge: Maximum flexibility. In addition to the included library, import your own files (MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC), record audio directly in-app, and search/download sounds from Freesound.org without leaving the app. Use sounds you own, find, or create.
• Pocket Bard: Relies entirely on its own self-produced library. High quality, but limited scope and no external sourcing.
• TableTone: Includes its own audio library. Import options non-existent.
• RPG Master Sounds Mixer: Offers a vast library, focusing on its internal collection. Import capabilities non-existent.
• SoundTale: Primarily library-based, likely with options to purchase additional sound packs. Importing user sounds non-existent.
• Syrinscape: Relies on its extensive library of soundsets, available via subscription. No user audio import.
• Tabletop Audio: Offers a great library of free ambient tracks on its website. No import or external search features.
• Spotify/YouTube: Access to vast music/ambient track libraries, but requires significant manual searching and organization outside the tool. No integrated SFX libraries or TTRPG-specific sourcing features.

C. Ease of Use & Workflow

• Audio Forge: Designed for an intuitive GM workflow, separating setup (Toolbox) from live play (Anvil for ambiance/music, Echoes for one-shots). Aims to make powerful features accessible during a session.
• TableTone: Interface focused on its “adaptive mixing.” Some users report the interface can feel less intuitive for traditional soundboard tasks compared to other options.
• RPG Master Sounds Mixer: Users consistently report a dated interface that can be challenging to learn and use effectively during live gameplay.
• Pocket Bard/Syrinscape: Generally offer polished interfaces focused on browsing and playing their specific content libraries. Streamlined for their content.
• SoundTale: UI usability might be impacted by feature accessibility based on payment status. Interface may frequently nudge users towards subscribing.
• Tabletop Audio: Very simple, browser-based interface. Easy to use for its specific purpose (playing ambient tracks).
• Spotify/YouTube: Familiar interfaces, but inefficient for TTRPGs, requiring constant tab-switching, playlist management, and lacking essential GM controls (like easy looping SFX).

D. Pricing Model

• Audio Forge: Core features are FREE FOREVER. Includes importing, recording, Freesound search, full customization, state links, etc. Optional: one-time purchase sound packs OR a single subscription unlocking all current/future packs. Transparent and user-friendly.
• Pocket Bard: Subscription-based for full access to its content library. Free tier offers limited fantasy content.
• SoundTale: Base app is free, but many useful features are reportedly paywalled, potentially requiring subscription for full functionality.
• Syrinscape: Subscription-based for access to its large soundset library. Can be costly for the full collection.
• TableTone: Generally free, with a subscription model for premium content/features.
• RPG Master Sounds Mixer: Generally free, with one-time in-app purchases for various audio packs.
• Tabletop Audio: Generously free, with optional Patreon support unlocking some extras.
• Spotify/YouTube: Free tiers available (with ads). Premium subscriptions remove ads and add offline playback. Not designed for TTRPG use.

E. Advanced Features

• Audio Forge: Offers State Links (save/load entire soundscape scenes via links), granular fade controls per category, subset track selection within categories, global pause/resume. Designed for GM control.
• TableTone: Highlights its “adaptive audio” capabilities for mood/intensity shifting based on tags.
• Pocket Bard: Features granular and layered playback, including separate vocals and intensity layers within its own content structure.
• Syrinscape: Features dynamic soundsets that can sometimes react to game events (requires specific setup/integration within their system).
• Others: Advanced TTRPG-specific features like scene saving or deep playback control vary significantly or may be absent, especially in non-dedicated apps or those with paywalled features.

Which Soundboard is Right for You?

• For the Ultimate Customizer / Sound Hoarder: If you demand total control, want to use your own audio files (import anything!), easily find/record new sounds (built-in Freesound search & recorder), deeply customize categories, and need powerful features like State Links without mandatory subscriptions, Audio Forge is explicitly designed for you.
• For High-Quality Curated Fantasy Content: If you primarily need professionally produced fantasy tracks and prefer a polished, subscription-based experience limited to a specific library, Pocket Bard or Syrinscape are strong contenders (be mindful of the lack of import).
• For Free Ambient Backgrounds: If you just need simple, high-quality ambient tracks and don’t require customization, import, or SFX management, Tabletop Audio is an excellent free resource.
• For Exploring Specific Mixing Approaches: Apps like TableTone or RPG Master offer unique mixing paradigms, but consider potential interface learning curves or limitations in customization and sound sourcing. SoundTale offers features but be prepared for likely paywalls impacting usability.
• For Casual Music Playlists: If you only want background music and don’t need integrated SFX or TTRPG features, Spotify/YouTube playlists work, but require significant manual effort and lack GM-focused controls.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Sound

Choosing a TTRPG soundboard hinges on your priorities. Do you value ultimate flexibility and control (Audio Forge), or curated convenience within a closed library (Pocket Bard, Syrinscape)? Is using your own sound library essential (Audio Forge), or are you happy with provided content? What’s your budget and tolerance for subscriptions vs. free core features?

Audio Forge stands out for GMs who seek deep customization, the freedom to use any audio source (import, record, Freesound), powerful GM features like State Links, and a fair pricing model with a robust free core. It’s built to empower your creativity and help you craft a truly unique and immersive soundscape for your specific campaigns.

Ready to take control of your game’s audio?

Download Audio Forge for free today!