> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vaudiolink.eu/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Host a Music Collab session

> Connect a vocalist, prepare one shared backing track, and add the managed Music Collab sources.

The host creates the session, chooses the vocal source, controls the shared backing timeline, and adds the combined output to OBS.

## Before you start

* Install **vAudioLink Karaoke** on both computers.
* Add your microphone as an OBS audio source.
* Prepare a supported YouTube link or local `.opus` or `.ogg` backing file.
* Use headphones on both computers.

<Steps titleSize="h2">
  <Step title="Open Music Collab">
    Open the Music Collab or vAudioLink Karaoke dock from the OBS **Docks** menu.

    The dock opens on **Setup your karaoke session**. Select **Sign in** to host.

    <Frame caption="Use Sign in to host; Paste guest key is the accountless collaborator path.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/v-audiolink/S72bY1qPEoK5CCTL/images/screenshots/music/choose-role.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=S72bY1qPEoK5CCTL&q=85&s=f127ff9cbb9774ee2e520d5d4d9bae03" alt="Music Collab dock showing Sign in and Paste guest key choices" width="1107" height="850" data-path="images/screenshots/music/choose-role.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize the dock">
    Complete the browser sign-in. Return to OBS when the browser reports success.

    **Expected result:** the dock displays **Start a new session** and your account status permits hosted relay access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the session">
    1. Set **Room mode** to **Direct OBS Room**.
    2. Select the closest healthy **Relay region**.
    3. Under **Your vocal source**, select your microphone.
    4. Select **Refresh** if the source was added after the dock opened.
    5. Select **Create session**.

    **Expected result:** the live page is titled **Streamer Music Collab** and shows a guest key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite the guest">
    Select **Copy** beside the guest key and send it privately. Ask your partner to follow [Join a Music Collab session](/guides/music-guest).

    Wait until the peer card changes from **Waiting for your partner…** to a connected state.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load a backing track">
    Choose one input:

    * Paste a YouTube URL and select **Load / Change track**.
    * Select **Local file**, choose an `.opus` or `.ogg` file, then select **Load / Change track**.

    Keep the room connected while preparation and transfer run in the background.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait until both ends are ready">
    Do not start the song while the dock says it is preparing, hashing, uploading, receiving, or waiting for the partner.

    **Expected result:** the sync status reports that the backing track is ready on both peers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the managed OBS sources">
    With the target scene active, select **+ Add Output + Backing + Video to scene**.

    The plugin creates a managed group containing the combined output, the local backing monitor, and muted backing video. Use **+ Add combined output** if you only need the program mix.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check routing">
    Confirm **vAudioLink Output** is in the program mix. Do not route **vAudioLink Backing (monitor)** into the program as a second copy.

    Use [Audio routing](/guides/audio-routing) before continuing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run a synchronized start">
    Select **Start song** and allow the scheduled lead-in to complete. Both participants should hear the same backing timeline.

    Record a short duet, then listen for doubled backing audio, delayed self-monitoring, or vocal misalignment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## During the performance

* **Start song** starts the prepared track on the shared schedule.
* **Restart** schedules the track from the beginning again.
* The square stop control stops the backing track on both peers.
* **Karaoke View ↗** opens the performance view.
* **Rotate key** invalidates the previous guest credential and creates another.
* **Remove from OBS** removes plugin-owned managed sources, not unrelated user sources.

<Warning>
  Do not select **Start song** until both peers report the backing ready. Starting during transfer is expected to fail or wait.
</Warning>

<Card title="Music troubleshooting" icon="stethoscope" href="/troubleshooting/music">
  Fix preparation, transfer, duplicate backing, source ownership, and synchronization problems.
</Card>