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How to Play Spotify Through Soundpad: The Ultimate Guide

Want to level up your Soundpad experience and inject some Spotify magic into your soundboard creations? You’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to play Spotify through Soundpad, unlocking a world of audio possibilities.

The key to playing Spotify through Soundpad lies in using virtual audio devices. You need to route the audio output from Spotify to a virtual input device that Soundpad can then access. Essentially, you’re creating a digital pathway for the audio to travel. Tools like Voicemeeter Banana, VB-Cable Virtual Audio Device, and OBS Studio are commonly used for this purpose. Then, in Soundpad you select the virtual audio device as its audio input. From there, Spotify’s music becomes available for playback and integration into your soundboards. Let’s break down the specific steps, using Voicemeeter Banana as our example, as it’s a popular and powerful (though slightly complex) choice.

Setting Up Spotify with Soundpad using Voicemeeter Banana

Voicemeeter Banana acts as a virtual mixing console, giving you incredible control over your audio routing. Here’s how to configure it for Spotify and Soundpad:

Step 1: Download and Install Voicemeeter Banana

Head over to the VB-Audio website and download Voicemeeter Banana. Install it following the on-screen instructions. You may be prompted to restart your computer. Do so.

Step 2: Configure Voicemeeter Banana’s Output

Open Voicemeeter Banana.
In the Hardware Output (A1) section, select your primary audio output device, such as your headphones or speakers. This is where you’ll hear all your audio.
In the Hardware Input 1 section, select your microphone, if you plan to use one in conjunction with Soundpad.

Step 3: Route Spotify’s Audio to Voicemeeter

Right-click on the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of your screen).
Select “Open Sound settings“.
Under “Output“, click on the dropdown menu and select “Voicemeeter Input (VB-Audio Voicemeeter VAIO)“. This tells Windows to send all its audio to Voicemeeter.
Open Spotify. You should now hear Spotify’s audio through Voicemeeter, and out of the device selected as A1.

Step 4: Assign Spotify to a Virtual Input Channel

In Voicemeeter Banana, look at the VAIO section (the middle section). You should see activity on this channel representing the Spotify audio.
Click the “A1” button in the VAIO section. This ensures that the audio from Spotify, now routed through the VAIO channel, is sent to your selected Hardware Out (A1) device, meaning you can hear it.

Step 5: Configure Soundpad to Use Voicemeeter Output

Open Soundpad.
Go to File > Preferences.
In the Device section, set “Recording device” to “Voicemeeter Output (VB-Audio Voicemeeter VAIO)“.
Set “Playback device” to your primary audio output device (the same one you selected in Voicemeeter Banana as A1).
Click Apply and OK.

Step 6: Test Your Setup

Play a song in Spotify.
In Soundpad, press a key bound to a sound. You should hear the sound and the Spotify music simultaneously.
If you’re not hearing Spotify in Soundpad, double-check that you’ve correctly routed the audio in Voicemeeter and that you’ve selected the correct input device in Soundpad’s preferences.
Adjust the volumes for each track as necessary using Voicemeeter’s faders.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Sound from Spotify: Ensure Spotify’s output is set to “Voicemeeter Input” in your Windows sound settings. Double-check the “A1” button is activated in the VAIO channel in Voicemeeter.
Soundpad Not Picking Up Audio: Verify that “Voicemeeter Output” is selected as the recording device in Soundpad’s preferences.
Audio Distortion: Adjust the levels in Voicemeeter Banana to prevent clipping.
High Latency: While Voicemeeter Banana is generally good, high latency could occur with certain hardware configurations. In this case, you can try changing the buffering settings in Voicemeeter Banana or opting for a different virtual audio cable solution.
Soundpad playing background noise: Double-check that your recording device in Soundpad is set correctly to Voicemeeter output and not your default microphone.

Alternative Methods

While Voicemeeter Banana provides extensive control, there are other ways to play Spotify through Soundpad:

VB-Cable Virtual Audio Device: This simpler option acts as a direct audio cable. Set Spotify’s output to the VB-Cable Input and Soundpad’s input to the VB-Cable Output.
OBS Studio (with Virtual Cam): OBS Studio can also be used to create virtual audio devices. Configure Spotify as a source in OBS, then enable the Virtual Cam feature. This creates a virtual audio output that Soundpad can use.

FAQs – Your Soundpad & Spotify Questions Answered

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about using Spotify with Soundpad, complete with expert answers:

1. Is it legal to play copyrighted Spotify music through Soundpad for streaming?

Using copyrighted music for commercial purposes without proper licenses is generally illegal. Streaming Spotify music through Soundpad without the necessary permissions could lead to copyright infringement issues. It’s vital to obtain the appropriate licenses if you plan to use copyrighted material in your streams or content.

2. Can I use Spotify Free with Soundpad, or do I need a Premium account?

You can technically use Spotify Free with Soundpad. However, be aware that Spotify Free includes ads, which might interrupt your soundboard experience. Also, Spotify Free has lower audio quality which can affect soundboard clarity. A Spotify Premium account provides an ad-free experience and higher audio quality, making it a smoother choice.

3. Will playing Spotify through Soundpad affect my system’s performance?

Using virtual audio devices and running multiple audio applications can impact system performance, particularly on older or lower-spec computers. Monitor your CPU and RAM usage and close unnecessary programs to optimize performance. If you experience significant slowdowns, consider upgrading your hardware or simplifying your audio routing setup.

4. How do I control the volume of Spotify separately from other Soundpad sounds?

Voicemeeter Banana (and similar virtual mixers) allows you to adjust the volume of each audio source individually. In Voicemeeter, you can control the volume of the VAIO input (which carries Spotify’s audio) separately from the soundboard sounds coming into your primary audio output device.

5. Can I use Soundpad with Spotify on a Mac?

Yes, but the steps and software differ. On a Mac, you can use tools like iShowU Audio Capture or BlackHole to create virtual audio devices similar to Voicemeeter Banana. The principle is the same: route Spotify’s output to the virtual device, then select that device as Soundpad’s input.

6. Why is the audio quality worse when playing Spotify through Soundpad?

Audio quality degradation can occur due to several factors:

Spotify’s Streaming Quality: Ensure your Spotify streaming quality is set to the highest option in Spotify’s settings.
Virtual Audio Device Quality: Some virtual audio drivers may introduce audio artifacts. Try different drivers to see if it improves the sound.
Bitrate Mismatch: Verify that the sample rate and bit depth settings in your virtual audio device configuration match those of Spotify and Soundpad.
Volume Levels: Excessive volume levels can cause clipping and distortion, which negatively impacts the sound quality.

7. Is there a simpler alternative to Voicemeeter Banana for routing Spotify audio?

Yes, VB-Cable Virtual Audio Device is a simpler alternative. It creates a basic audio “cable” that routes audio from one application to another. It’s less feature-rich than Voicemeeter but easier to set up. Another option is OBS Studio’s Virtual Audio Cable.

8. How do I prevent echo or feedback when using Soundpad and Spotify together?

Echo or feedback typically occurs when audio from your microphone is being picked up by your speakers and then re-captured by your microphone. Using headphones is the best way to eliminate this. Also, ensure that your microphone is not set as a playback device in any of your audio settings and that A1 button is activated on the VAIO channel in Voicemeeter.

9. Can I record Spotify audio using Soundpad?

While Soundpad is primarily designed for playing sounds, it can technically record the audio it receives from Spotify. However, be mindful of copyright restrictions (as mentioned earlier) before recording and distributing any copyrighted material.

10. Soundpad isn’t detecting Voicemeeter Output as an available recording device. What should I do?

Restart Voicemeeter Banana: Ensure that Voicemeeter is running before opening Soundpad.
Reinstall Voicemeeter: A fresh install can often resolve driver issues.
Update Audio Drivers: Make sure your sound card drivers are up to date.
Run as Administrator: Run both Voicemeeter and Soundpad as administrator.

11. What if I want to use a hardware mixer instead of Voicemeeter Banana?

A hardware mixer offers similar functionality to Voicemeeter Banana but in a physical device. You can route Spotify’s audio into a channel on the mixer and then send the mixed output to Soundpad. This can be a more robust and reliable solution, particularly for complex audio setups. However, this will involve more technical steps in configuration and setup.

12. How do I update the soundboard without interrupting the music that is playing from Spotify?

This depends on the length of the song you play from Spotify through Soundpad. One way to update soundboards without interrupting music is to create additional soundboards that you can immediately switch to whenever you wish to update a soundboard.

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you’ll be well on your way to seamlessly integrating Spotify into your Soundpad workflows, unlocking a whole new level of creative audio possibilities. Happy soundboarding!