--- title: "Audio Routing & Conference Mode" source: /gcxone/features/operational-modes/audio-routing-conference-mode locale: en updated: 2026-09-17 --- ## **What Audio Routing & Conference Mode Does** Audio Routing enables operators to initiate audio calls to Genesis Audio devices configured under a site. When multiple active Genesis Audio devices exist under the same site, the system automatically activates Conference Mode, connecting all active audio endpoints and the operator in a single call. ## **Why It Matters** In multi-device deployments, operators need to communicate across all active audio endpoints at a site simultaneously. Conference Mode ensures that no active audio device is left out of the call, enabling collaborative communication across the entire site without manual configuration. ## **How It Works** When an audio call is initiated from the Video Viewer: - If multiple active Genesis Audio devices are configured under the site, the system initiates a **Conference Mode** call connecting all active devices and the operator simultaneously - If no Genesis Audio devices are active, or none are configured, the call falls back to the device's default audio if supported by that device type ### Steps to initiate a Genesis Audio call request from the Video Viewer 1. Log in to GCXONE 2. Navigate to the **Configuration App** and select the site 3. Select the Genesis Audio device under the site. 4. Verify that the Genesis Audio device is active. ![](/api/media/file/0231d0161e460d836af06381f259cc11f6276d68-1532x825.png) **Step 5:** Navigate to the **Video Viewer** ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/7d3c96200bb1fb745f63f12ab2d0b0b3d4f58b30-1920x989.png) **Step 6:** Select the site in the tree view and expand it. ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/1fa8b4c5b66d72af294d52fd37f6cc0a49c1fbcb-1920x989.png) **Step 7:** Verify that the Genesis Audio device is listed under the selected site. **Step 8:** Drag and drop a sensor from the site into **Video Viewer**. **Step 9:** Verify that the camera's microphone control is enabled. With an active Genesis Audio device on the site, this is the same per-camera audio control used for camera audio — its accessible label changes to reflect that a Genesis Audio device is available, rather than being a separate toolbar icon. This applies to every camera on that site, not only the one the Genesis Audio device is physically attached to — as long as any Genesis Audio device on the site is active, every camera's control picks up this behavior. ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/91d257b2ded339fe79a2ff48d6dfb26238f31775-1920x852.png) **Step 10:** Click the microphone control. An audio call will be initiated. **Step 11:** Once the call is connected, the icon will change to indicate that the call is connected. ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/a593ed17b19c8f29b8150d058578f70f2cd273c7-1920x852.png) **Step 12:** Click the microphone control again to disconnect the call. **Step 13:** The icon will change to indicate that the call has been disconnected. **Note:** The call will disconnect automatically if the user navigates to another application in GCXONE or clicks the refresh button. ### Staying Connected Across Events By default, every new event that opens in the Video Viewer — whether the operator selects it from Video Search or it arrives on a second monitor — disconnects the microphone, and the operator has to reconnect it manually. For accounts where this behavior has been enabled, the microphone stays connected as events change, as long as the new event is on the **same camera** the operator is already speaking through. Moving to an event on a different camera still disconnects the call, since the audio channel belongs to that camera. The microphone still disconnects in these cases regardless of this setting: - The new event is on a different camera - Closing or leaving the Video Viewer - Jumping back or ahead in the timeline - Switching a tile between live, playback, and preview - The live stream reaching its automatic stop - The operator manually switching the microphone off If the microphone unexpectedly drops between events, confirm the events are on the same camera, and contact support to confirm this behavior is enabled for your account. ### Two-Way Mute Behavior Muting a two-way audio call mutes remote playback (incoming audio from the site) where configured, while keeping the operator's microphone available — so the operator can continue speaking without interruption. ### How to Add a Genesis Audio Device 1. Log in to GCXONE 2. Navigate to the **Configuration App** ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/e405b28be7ddef3f92b0f7e18154d5c15b09aa19-600x345.png) **Step 3:** Select the site where the Genesis Audio device will be added **Step 4:** Go to the **Devices** tab **Step 5:** Click **Add New** **Step 6:** In the **Device** field, select **Genesis Audio** ![](/api/media/file/b0de4ddf9a0e3b81a835aed0fb1abcd79264b525-1896x964.png) **Step 7:** Enter a name — optionally selecting an **Entity Group** — and click **Discover** ![GENESIS AUDIO](/api/media/file/62feddac2260dedcda941c38279bc018e0b543be-600x348.png) **Step 8:** Once discovered, click **Save** ### Prerequisites - User must have Genesis Audio permission enabled in their role - Local Mode is not required — audio calls can be initiated via Genesis Audio even if Local Mode is disabled ## **Real-World Use Cases** - An operator initiates a call to a site with three active Genesis Audio devices — Conference Mode automatically connects all three endpoints and the operator in a single call without manual setup. - A security incident occurs at a large facility — the operator communicates with all active audio points across the site simultaneously using Conference Mode. ## **Best Practices** - Verify Genesis Audio devices are active before initiating a call — inactive devices will cause the call to fall back to default device audio. - Ensure the user has Genesis Audio permission enabled in their role before attempting to initiate calls. - Always disconnect the call explicitly using the microphone control — avoid navigating away which causes an automatic disconnect. ## **Additional Details** - Genesis Audio is configurable only if the user has the corresponding permission - Local Mode settings are not required for Genesis Audio calls — they are initiated directly via the cloud