Go Button

Go Button is an iOS app for preparing and playing sound cue playlists for live performances on iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. It can play multiple sounds at once, advance through a cue sequence with the GO button, or trigger improvised sounds with Hit buttons. Each cue can be configured to stop automatically, fade, loop, or duck, with separate volume, pan, speed, and pitch controls. Playback can be triggered with compatible iOS remotes, Bluetooth keyboards and accessories, MIDI input, OSC commands, or hotkeys. Shows can be shared through AirDrop or Files, imported from services such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox, and brought into QLab. The app supports audio formats including WAV, AIFF, M4A, MP3, MOV, and FLAC, but not copy-protected audio. It requires iOS 15 or later and has no desktop or browser app. The free version allows one saved show playlist; a $99.99, paid once Pro License allows unlimited playlists. Show data and imported audio stay inside the app unless users export shows to services such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox.

Go Button combines cue sequencing and individual sound controls for live shows, with several remote and command-based triggering options. The free version is limited to one saved playlist; unlimited playlists require the $99.99, paid once Pro License.

It suits people running theater, dance recitals, weddings, church services, puppetry, or magic shows who need cue playback on an iOS device. It is also for users who can work within the iOS 15-or-later requirement.

Go Button is a live-performance sound cue app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It best suits operators who need both a prepared sequence and the freedom to fire extra sounds during a show. Its full feature set is available free for one saved show; the one-time Pro purchase removes that playlist limit.

Overview

Go Button is designed for running sound during a live event, rather than simply collecting sound effects on a board. The GO button advances through cues in sequence, while Hit buttons trigger ad-libbed sounds; multiple sounds can play at once. That combination is useful when a performance follows a set order but still needs room for spontaneous effects.

Individual cues can auto-stop, fade in or out, loop, or duck, with separate controls for volume, pan, speed, and pitch. This gives an operator meaningful control over how each sound fits into a scene. Playback can be triggered with iOS-compatible remotes, Bluetooth keyboards and accessories, MIDI input, or OSC commands, which suits setups where the person running audio needs a physical or external trigger.

Shows can be shared with AirDrop or the iOS Files app, imported from iCloud Drive or Dropbox, and imported into QLab. The app handles WAV, AIFF, AIFC, M4A, AAC, MP3, MOV, CAF, 3GP, MPEG4 audio, and FLAC, though copy-protected audio cannot be played. Shows are stored in the app's internal database and imported audio is kept on the device; operators can export shows to services such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox. Passcode locking helps prevent unauthorized edits.

There is a practical live-use caveat: calls, texts, and other system alerts may interrupt playback. Figure 53 recommends putting the device offline to reduce that risk, a sensible precaution for performances where an interruption would be costly.

Key features

• Sequenced and ad-lib playback: Advance a prepared show with GO and trigger extra sounds with Hit buttons, including while other audio is playing.
• Per-cue shaping: Configure auto-stop, fades, looping, ducking, volume, pan, speed, and pitch for each cue.
• External controls: Trigger playback through compatible remotes, Bluetooth devices, MIDI, or OSC, with hotkey triggering also supported.
• Show portability: Share and import shows through Apple file and sharing tools, cloud services, and QLab.

Pricing

The Free Version costs nothing and includes all functionality, no ads, and no time limit, with one saved show playlist. That is a substantial free option for a single production or an operator who can reuse one playlist. It becomes restrictive for anyone keeping several shows ready to run.

The Pro License costs $99.99, paid once as a one-time in-app purchase and adds unlimited show playlists. There is no free trial. The upgrade is aimed at operators who need separate saved shows for multiple productions or recurring events; it does not unlock a different feature set, since the free version already includes all functionality.

Platforms

Go Button runs on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with iOS 15 or later. There is no desktop or browser app, so it is a focused choice for operators comfortable running the show from an iOS device.

Who it's for

The app fits theater, dance recitals, weddings, church services, puppetry, and magic shows—events where a prepared cue order and occasional manually triggered sounds both matter. Its cue controls and external triggers are useful for more involved playback, while the free single-playlist version gives a one-off event a capable starting point. People who need desktop or browser playback, or whose device must remain available for calls and messages during a show, should consider another setup.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The free version includes every feature without ads or a time limit, making it practical for a single saved show.
• Pro: Sequencing, simultaneous playback, and Hit buttons cover both planned cues and ad-libbed effects.
• Pro: Per-cue audio controls and support for MIDI, OSC, Bluetooth, and remotes give operators several ways to shape and trigger playback.
• Con: Saving more than one show requires a $99.99, paid once purchase, a significant step up for occasional users.
• Con: Playback is limited to iOS devices, and system alerts can interrupt a performance.
• Con: Copy-protected audio is unsupported, which can rule out some source files.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Soundboard Software. Soundboard Studio is another iOS option; its free plan caps users at 24 tracks and four boards and lacks background playback when the app is closed and track automations. LitPads suits someone seeking pad-based sound playback: its free plan has six boards and 20 pads per board, while LitPads Pro costs $29.99, paid once for unlimited boards and pads.

Resanance is a free alternative for users who need unlimited sounds and hotkeys across multiple output devices, and it runs on Android, web, and Windows. SoundTools Soundboard is another free option, with no account, installation, watermark, or usage limits and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Sound Show offers a free tier with most features, up to 10 tabs and 40 sounds per tab, with some modules locked; it supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Blerp is a freemium option whose TTS Free plan includes a 500-plus voice library, basic voice filters, a moderation queue, and word censorship, and it spans mobile, desktop, web, and extension platforms.

SeenCue is another free alternative for Android and Windows. Voicemod AI Voice Cleaner offers a free AI voice cleaner on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Verdict

Go Button is a strong fit for an iOS-based show operator who needs reliable cue sequencing, ad-libbed playback, and detailed control over individual sounds. Its standout advantage is that the free version includes the full feature set, while the main reason to look elsewhere is the one-playlist cap—or the need to run audio outside iOS. For one show, start free; for a library of productions, weigh the $99.99, paid once Pro License against alternatives that better match your platform and workflow.