How It Works
CrewTalk's PTT system uses Opus codec audio over a dedicated TCP relay. Your voice is encoded on your device, sent to the CrewTalk relay server, and broadcast to everyone on the same channel — all in real time with minimal latency.
Press and Hold
Press and hold the large PTT button at the bottom of the PTT screen. You'll hear a chirp sound (if enabled) confirming you're live.
Speak Clearly
Talk into your device's microphone. Your audio is transmitted to all members on your current channel. The waveform visualizer shows your audio level.
Release
Release the button when you're done speaking. The channel is now open for others to respond.
The PTT Button
The PTT button is the large, centered button on the PTT screen. It changes appearance based on state:
| State | Appearance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ready | Default green outline | Ready to transmit |
| Transmitting | Solid green / active | You're live on air |
| Receiving | Shows speaker name | Someone else is talking |
| In Whisper | "IN WHISPER" text | PTT disabled during call |
| In Live-Sight | "IN LIVE-SIGHT" text | PTT disabled during video |
Waveform Visualizer
When audio is active (you're transmitting or receiving), a waveform visualization appears above the PTT button along with the speaker's display name. You can choose from four visual styles:
- Sine Wave — Smooth oscillating line
- Bars — Vertical equalizer bars
- Rings — Pulsing concentric circles
- Blob — Organic morphing shape
Change your waveform style in Settings > Audio > Waveform Style.
Radio Etiquette
Good PTT communication follows established radio conventions:
Before Transmitting
- Listen first — Make sure no one else is talking
- Plan your message — Know what you're going to say before pressing the button
While Transmitting
- Identify yourself — Start with your name or role: "Camera 1, going again"
- Be brief — Keep transmissions short and focused
- Speak clearly — Don't mumble or rush
- Wait a beat — After pressing PTT, pause briefly before speaking to ensure the first syllable isn't clipped
Common Phrases
- "Copy" or "10-4" — Message received and understood
- "Go for [name]" — You're ready to receive a message
- "Stand by" — Wait a moment
- "Going again" — About to do another take
- "That's a wrap on [item]" — Done with something
When you press the PTT button, wait about half a second before speaking. This gives the audio encoder time to start and ensures your first word isn't clipped. With walkie-talkie sounds enabled, the chirp naturally creates this pause for you.
Audio Quality
CrewTalk uses the Opus codec — the same codec used by Discord, Zoom, and professional broadcasting. It provides:
- Clear voice at low bandwidth
- Noise resilience over cellular networks
- Sub-100ms latency on good connections
- Automatic adaptation to network conditions
All audio processing happens on native threads (not JavaScript), ensuring consistent performance even when the app is busy rendering UI updates.