Remote Recording with Studiolink

Studiolink in Reaper: Accessible Guide for Remote Recording

Note: While this guide may appear intimidating at first glance, the initial setup is a one-time process. Once you've configured your tracks, routing, and saved everything as templates, creating new Studiolink projects becomes quick and straightforward - often taking just minutes rather than the detailed setup described here.

What is Studiolink?

Studiolink is a professional remote recording solution developed by Sebastian Reimers, an individual developer from Germany (Studiolink Quick Start Guide - German). It's designed specifically for podcasters, radio journalists, and musicians who need high-quality audio connections over the internet with a "plug and play" approach (The Complete Guide to Remote Recording with Studio Link - Podigy archived).

Key Features and Versions

Studiolink offers three different solutions for various recording scenarios:

1. Standalone Application: Records multi-track FLAC files locally (Studiolink Multi-track Recording Documentation - German)
2. VST Plugin: Integrates directly with DAWs like Reaper for seamless workflow (Studiolink Plugin Installation Guide - German)
3. Hardware Solutions: For specialized setups (Studiolink Box Setup Guide - German)

This guide will focus on the VST plugin version, because it is particularly valuable for Reaper users as it pipes remote microphone inputs directly into Reaper as if they were local inputs, while sending audio back to remote participants for monitoring.

Freemium Pricing Model

Studiolink operates on a freemium basis (StudioLink QuickWeb Discussion - Sendegate Forum German):

• Free Version: Supports up to 6 simultaneous participants in multi-track recording
• €1-4/month: Custom IDs, 1-4 registered client installations
• €5-9/month: Custom IDs, QuickWeb guest links, 5-9 registered client installations
• €10/month: All features including mobile support, 10 registered client installations

QuickWeb Feature: Available in paid plans (€5/month and above), QuickWeb allows you to send simple invitation links to guests. Guests can join the recording session directly through their web browser without downloading any software (QuickWeb How-To - Sendegate Forum German). This is particularly useful for non-technical guests who might find installing standalone software challenging. The host simply generates a web link and sends it to the guest, who can then click the link and join the session immediately.

Important distinction: "Registered clients" refers to permanent installations needing account features (custom IDs, QuickWeb), while the 6-participant limit applies to simultaneous connections regardless of pricing tier.

Why Choose Studiolink?

Advantages over alternatives:

• Cost-effective: Significantly cheaper than Zoom, Teams, or other commercial solutions
• Superior audio quality: Designed specifically for audio professionals
• Direct DAW integration: VST plugin eliminates need for separate recording software
• Multi-track recording: Each participant records to separate tracks automatically (up to 6 participants)
• Template-friendly: Perfect for regular recording setups with consistent participants
• Flexible guest participation: Tech-savvy guests can use standalone client, others can join via QuickWeb browser links (paid plans)

Best suited for:

• Regular recording partnerships (co-hosts, frequent guests)
• Professional podcast production with up to 6 participants
• Users who want direct integration with their DAW workflow
• Teams that can invest time in initial setup for long-term efficiency
• Mixed technical skill levels (standalone for users not restricted by company networks, QuickWeb browser links for others)

Considerations for Users Who Don't Understand German

While Studiolink is primarily documented in German, the actual user interface is available in English. The software works internationally, though most documentation and community support is German-focused. Important: The account management interface for paid plans (my.studio.link) is only available in German【1】, which could present challenges for non-German speakers managing subscriptions and settings. If you don't require premium features, you can currently use Studiolink at no cost.

General Information on Technical Setup

Understanding Studiolink IDs

Every Studiolink installation generates a unique cryptographic ID that serves as your "phone number" for calls. This ID is essential for making and receiving calls:

• Your ID: Always displayed in the Studiolink web interface after launching the client or plugin
• Calling others: You need to know the recipient's ID to initiate a call
• Receiving calls: Share your ID with others so they can call you
• Free accounts: Use cryptographic IDs (e.g., "a1b2c3d4@studio.link")
• Paid accounts: Can choose custom IDs (e.g., "podcast@studio.link") (StudioLink QuickWeb Discussion - Sendegate Forum German)

ID System for Plugin and Standalone Users

Ignore if you plan to only use the standalone version or the plugin, but not both. Each version generates a unique cryptographic ID when it is first launched. Users can share the same ID between standalone and plugin versions, but this requires specific steps (Studiolink ID Sharing Guide - Sendegate Forum):

To use the same ID in both plugin and standalone:

1. Close both Reaper and Studiolink standalone completely
2. Copy the uuid file:
   • Windows: From C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link\uuid to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link-plugin\uuid (or vice versa)
   • Mac/Linux: From ~/.studio-link/uuid to ~/.studio-link-plugin/uuid (or vice versa)
3. Delete the accounts.json file in the TARGET directory:
   • Windows: Delete accounts.json in whichever directory you copied the uuid file TO
   • Mac/Linux: Delete ~/.studio-link/accounts.json or ~/.studio-link-plugin/accounts.json in the target directory
4. Important: Never run both plugin and standalone simultaneously with the same ID, as it's unclear where incoming calls will be routed (Studiolink ID Sharing Guide - Sendegate Forum)

Guest participation options

• Guests who are not on company networks where port access might be restricted can download the Studiolink Standalone client (Studiolink Standalone Installation - German)
• No installation required: The standalone version can be run directly after download
• QuickWeb browser links: For paid plan users (€5/month+), guests can join via simple browser links without downloading software
• Multi-participant support: Up to 6 participants can join a session
• FLAC recording: Standalone client records in FLAC format at 48kHz (Studiolink Multi-track Recording Documentation - German)

Sample rate requirement

All participants must use 48 kHz sample rate for optimal compatibility (Studiolink Plugin First Steps - German, Ultraschall Recording Documentation).

Setting Auto-answer feature for Accessibility

Since there's no audible indicator for incoming calls, editing the webapp.conf file to enable auto-answer (sl_auto_answer 1) is recommended for accessibility. The file and file paths below will only be available if Studiolink or the Studiolink plugin have been launched previously. Close both to make the edits detailed below. File locations (Studiolink FAQ - German):

• Windows Standalone: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link\webapp.conf
• Windows Plugin: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link-plugin\webapp.conf
• Mac/Linux Standalone: ~/.studio-link/webapp.conf
• Mac/Linux Plugin: ~/.studio-link-plugin/webapp.conf

To edit:

1. Find and open webapp.conf in a text editor
2. Change the line sl_auto_answer 0 to sl_auto_answer 1

---

Prerequisites and Basic Configuration for VST Plugin with Reaper

Download the plugin from https://doku.studio-link.de/plugin/installation-plugin-neu.html and copy it into your Reaper plugins directory.

Sample Rate Setup

Before first use, both Reaper and the project must be set to 48 kHz (Studiolink Plugin First Steps - German):

1. Reaper Preferences: Ctrl+P for Preferences → Audio > Device → "Request sample rate" set to 48000
2. Project Settings: Alt+Enter for Project Settings → "Project sample rate" set to 48000

Plugin Installation

Install the Studiolink plugin (not the "OnAir" version) into Reaper's VST directory and restart Reaper.

Track Configuration

Important: Plan your track requirements in advance. It's recommended to create all necessary tracks before starting a Studiolink session, as adding tracks during an active call may cause issues.

Setting Up Tracks for Local Participants or Participants Joining Through Other Software

1. Ctrl+T to create new track (Reaper Shortcut Key List by Headings - Reaper Accessibility Wiki)
2. Applications Key (track context menu) → Input set to desired microphone
3. F7 to arm the track

Repeat to create the required number of tracks.

Configuring Remote Tracks

Create a separate track for each remote guest (up to 6 total participants):

1. Ctrl+T to create new remote track
2. Applications Key (track context menu) → Input set to "None"
3. F to open FX Chain → Add Studiolink plugin (Filter: "studio")
4. Applications Key (track context menu) → "Record: output (mono)"
5. F7 to arm the track

Important Note: arming with F7 is essential, as this enables monitoring so remote guests can hear the local tracks.

Accessible Audio Routing

Important Note: Reaper's standard routing matrix is not accessible to screen readers. Instead, use the Alt context menu:

Routing Local Tracks to Remote Tracks

For each local track (microphone, phone, etc.):

1. Select local track
2. Alt+Applications Key (Alt context menu)
3. Select "Sends"
4. Enable a send for each remote track
5. Repeat process for all local tracks

Rationale: All local tracks must send their content to all remote tracks so that all guests can hear everything.

Disabling Master Send (for Phone Usage with Vocaster Interfaces)

To prevent echo:

1. Select local track
2. Alt+Applications Key
3. Disable "Master Send" (if enabled)

Important: If you don't do this and local tracks are sent to the master track, the phone participant will hear their own echo and the voice will sound robotic.

Testing Your Setup

Before recording with guests, it's essential to test your configuration to ensure everything is working correctly.

Making an Echo Test Call

Studiolink provides a built-in test service that allows you to verify your setup (Studiolink FAQ - German):

1. Open the Studiolink browser interface (this opens automatically when you launch the plugin or standalone client)
2. Locate the call input field in the browser interface
3. Enter "echo" (or the full address "echo@studio.link")
4. Initiate the call by pressing Enter or clicking the call button
5. Speak into your microphone - if everything is configured correctly, you should hear your own voice played back to you

What to Expect

• Successful test: You hear your own voice clearly with minimal delay
• Audio quality: The playback should sound clear without distortion
• Latency check: There should be minimal delay between speaking and hearing the echo
• Level verification: Confirm your microphone levels are appropriate

Troubleshooting Test Results

If you don't hear your voice or experience issues:

1. Check microphone input: Verify your microphone is selected and working in Reaper
2. Verify sample rate: Ensure both Reaper and your audio interface are set to 48 kHz (Studiolink Plugin First Steps - German)
3. Check track arming: Make sure your local track is record-armed (F7)
4. Monitor settings: Verify monitoring is enabled on your local track
5. Audio routing: Confirm your local track is sending to the Studiolink remote track

Important: Always use closed-back headphones during testing and recording to prevent feedback and echo issues.

Using Templates for Efficient Setup

Now that you've verified your setup works correctly with the echo test, save this configuration as a template for future use:

• Project Templates: Save complete Studiolink configurations for different scenarios (1 guest, 2 guests, etc.). See: Project Templates - Reaper Accessibility Wiki
• Track Templates: Save individual track configurations (local mic, remote guest) for quick setup. See: Track Templates - Reaper Accessibility Wiki

Benefits: Templates eliminate the need to reconfigure tracks, routing, and sample rates for each recording session, making your Studiolink workflow much more efficient.

Recording and Monitoring

Understanding the Monitoring Principle

Remote guests will only hear audio when local tracks are armed (F7) and monitoring is active. arming ensures that audio is sent to all remote tracks.

Monitor Control

Use F8 to cycle through track record monitor modes (Off, Normal, Not When Playing).

Starting Recording

All tracks (local and remote) are now ready to record. Remote tracks will automatically record what is received through the Studiolink plugin.

Managing Connections and Tracks

Browser Interface Track Management

When connected with team members or guests, the Studiolink browser interface displays a table with active tracks (one row per track). When a guest or team member leaves the call, their track may persist in the interface. If they call back and the maximum of 6 participants is reached, they cannot rejoin the call.

Solution: Navigate to the browser interface table and manually terminate the disconnected participant's call:

1. Open the Studiolink browser interface
2. Navigate to the tracks table using standard table navigation
3. Locate the row for the disconnected participant
4. Find and activate the "Cancel Call" button for that specific track
5. This frees up the track slot for the participant to rejoin

After Recording

Preparing Project for Playback

1. Save project
2. Remove or bypass Studiolink plugin from all remote tracks
3. Re-enable Master Send for local tracks:
   • Select local track
   • Alt+Applications Key
   • Enable "Master Send"
4. Optional: Disable Record Input on remote tracks

Rationale: As long as the Studiolink plugin is active, not all participants can be heard on the recording.

Troubleshooting

Common Connection Issues

Studio Link ID not displayed (Studiolink FAQ - German):

• Cause: Internet connection problems or firewall/antivirus software blocking the connection
• Solution: Check internet connectivity, temporarily disable firewall/antivirus, or configure exceptions for Studiolink

Network Requirements: For corporate or heavily secured networks, ensure these ports are accessible (Studiolink Box Setup Guide - German, Studiolink Standalone and Firewalls - Sendegate Forum German):

• Port 5060 TCP/UDP for SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)

HTTP Port Configuration: If you experience port conflicts, you can manually configure the HTTP port by editing (Studiolink FAQ - German):

• Windows Standalone: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link\http_port
• Windows Plugin: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link-plugin\http_port
• Mac/Linux Standalone: ~/.studio-link/http_port
• Mac/Linux Plugin: ~/.studio-link-plugin/http_port

Audio Quality Optimization

Opus Bitrate Configuration: Studiolink transmits at 64 kbit/s by default. You can adjust this for better quality (Studiolink FAQ - German):

Configuration file locations:

• Windows Standalone: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link\config
• Windows Plugin: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.studio-link-plugin\config
• Mac/Linux Standalone: ~/.studio-link/config
• Mac/Linux Plugin: ~/.studio-link-plugin/config

To change bitrate (e.g., to 128 kbit/s):

Opus codec parameters
opus_bitrate 128000 # 6000-510000

Important: Configuration files are overwritten during updates - you'll need to reapply changes after updates (Studiolink FAQ - German).

Resolving Audio Issues

For crackling, dropouts, or distorted audio, check:

1. Internet Connection: Stable and fast enough, disable VPN
2. Sample Rate: All participants must use 48 kHz (Studiolink Plugin First Steps - German)
3. Buffer Size: Increase to 512 or 1024 if problems occur (causes more latency)
4. Opus Bitrate: Consider increasing from default 64 kbit/s to 128 kbit/s for better quality

Managing Disconnected Tracks

If participants cannot rejoin due to the 6-participant limit:

1. Check browser interface: Navigate to the Studiolink tracks table
2. Identify ghost connections: Look for tracks showing disconnected participants
3. Manually terminate: "Cancel Call" for disconnected tracks to free up slots
4. Verify availability: Confirm track slots are available before participants retry

Advanced Settings

For multiple Studiolink tracks: Ctrl+P → Audio > Buffering → Enable "Allow live FX multiprocessing" and set to "16 CPUs".

Guest Instructions

Windows Guests

1. Press Windows+R to open Run dialog (9 Ways to Open the Sound Settings in Windows 11 - TechBloat)
2. Type mmsys.cpl and press Enter to open Sound Control Panel directly
3. Navigate to Recording tab using Ctrl+Tab
4. Select your microphone using arrow keys and press Enter for Properties
5. Navigate to Advanced tab using Ctrl+Tab
6. Use Tab to reach "Default Format" dropdown and select 48000 Hz option

Mac Guests

1. Open "Audio MIDI Setup"
2. Select desired microphone
3. Set Format to 48000 Hz

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts Overview

Action	Keyboard Shortcut
Create new track	Ctrl+T
arm/unarm track	F7
Unarm all tracks	Alt+F7
Cycle record monitor	F8
Open FX Chain	F
Context menu	Applications Key
Alt context menu (Routing)	Alt+Applications Key
Go to next track	Down Arrow
Go to previous track	Up Arrow
Project settings	Alt+Enter
Reaper preferences	Ctrl+P

Workflow Summary

1. Preparation: Sample rate at 48 kHz, plugin installed
2. Track Configuration: Create local and remote tracks (max 6 participants total)
3. Audio Routing: Configure sends from local to remote tracks using Alt context menu
4. Testing: Make echo test call to verify complete setup (Studiolink FAQ - German)
5. Template Creation: Save working configuration for future use
6. Recording: All tracks armed with F7, monitoring active
7. Connection management: Monitor browser interface for disconnected tracks
8. Post-processing: Remove plugin, restore Master Sends

This workflow bypasses the non-accessible routing matrix and enables complete keyboard navigation for Studiolink configuration in Reaper.

External Links and Sources

• Studiolink Quick Start Guide (German)
• The Complete Guide to Remote Recording with Studio Link - Podigy (archived)
• Studiolink Multi-track Recording Documentation (German)
• Studiolink Plugin Installation Guide (German)
• Studiolink Plugin First Steps (German)
• Studiolink Box Setup Guide (German)
• StudioLink QuickWeb Discussion - Sendegate Forum (German)
• QuickWeb How-To - Sendegate Forum (German)
• Studiolink ID Sharing Guide - Sendegate Forum
• Studiolink Standalone Installation (German)
• Studiolink FAQ (German)
• Studiolink Standalone and Firewalls - Sendegate Forum (German)
• Ultraschall Recording Documentation
• Reaper Shortcut Key List by Headings - Reaper Accessibility Wiki
• Project Templates - Reaper Accessibility Wiki
• Track Templates - Reaper Accessibility Wiki
• 9 Ways to Open the Sound Settings in Windows 11 - TechBloat