diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8df67e742..1bb74c358 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Added
 
+- A new function `FrameProcessor.setup()` has been added to allow setting up
+  frame processors before receiving a `StartFrame`. This is what's happening
+  internally: `FrameProcessor.setup()` is called, `StartFrame` is pushed from
+  the beginning of the pipeline, your regular pipeline operations, `EndFrame` or
+  `CancelFrame` are pushed from the beginning of the pipeline and finally
+  `FrameProcessor.cleanup()` is called.
+
 - Allow passing observers to `run_test()` while running unit tests.
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
index 8d3f38459..2db21495b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import (
-    TYPE_CHECKING,
     Any,
     Awaitable,
     Callable,
@@ -20,16 +19,11 @@ from typing import (
 )
 
 from pipecat.audio.vad.vad_analyzer import VADParams
-from pipecat.clocks.base_clock import BaseClock
 from pipecat.metrics.metrics import MetricsData
 from pipecat.transcriptions.language import Language
-from pipecat.utils.asyncio import BaseTaskManager
 from pipecat.utils.time import nanoseconds_to_str
 from pipecat.utils.utils import obj_count, obj_id
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from pipecat.observers.base_observer import BaseObserver
-
 
 class KeypadEntry(str, Enum):
     """DTMF entries."""
@@ -447,14 +441,11 @@ class OutputDTMFFrame(DTMFFrame):
 class StartFrame(SystemFrame):
     """This is the first frame that should be pushed down a pipeline."""
 
-    clock: BaseClock
-    task_manager: BaseTaskManager
     audio_in_sample_rate: int = 16000
     audio_out_sample_rate: int = 24000
     allow_interruptions: bool = False
     enable_metrics: bool = False
     enable_usage_metrics: bool = False
-    observer: Optional["BaseObserver"] = None
     report_only_initial_ttfb: bool = False
 
 
diff --git a/src/pipecat/pipeline/parallel_pipeline.py b/src/pipecat/pipeline/parallel_pipeline.py
index c6f4de2df..c82330107 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/pipeline/parallel_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/pipeline/parallel_pipeline.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
 )
 from pipecat.pipeline.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
 from pipecat.pipeline.pipeline import Pipeline
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor, FrameProcessorSetup
 
 
 class ParallelPipelineSource(FrameProcessor):
@@ -118,6 +118,12 @@ class ParallelPipeline(BasePipeline):
     # Frame processor
     #
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await asyncio.gather(*[s.setup(setup) for s in self._sources])
+        await asyncio.gather(*[p.setup(setup) for p in self._pipelines])
+        await asyncio.gather(*[s.setup(setup) for s in self._sinks])
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await asyncio.gather(*[s.cleanup() for s in self._sources])
diff --git a/src/pipecat/pipeline/pipeline.py b/src/pipecat/pipeline/pipeline.py
index 270e100bd..c10a32e0a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/pipeline/pipeline.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/pipeline/pipeline.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from typing import Callable, Coroutine, List
 
 from pipecat.frames.frames import Frame
 from pipecat.pipeline.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor, FrameProcessorSetup
 
 
 class PipelineSource(FrameProcessor):
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ class Pipeline(BasePipeline):
     # Frame processor
     #
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await self._setup_processors(setup)
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await self._cleanup_processors()
@@ -82,6 +86,10 @@ class Pipeline(BasePipeline):
         elif direction == FrameDirection.UPSTREAM:
             await self._sink.queue_frame(frame, FrameDirection.UPSTREAM)
 
+    async def _setup_processors(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        for p in self._processors:
+            await p.setup(setup)
+
     async def _cleanup_processors(self):
         for p in self._processors:
             await p.cleanup()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/pipeline/sync_parallel_pipeline.py b/src/pipecat/pipeline/sync_parallel_pipeline.py
index 2870a470d..4cf9f5033 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/pipeline/sync_parallel_pipeline.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/pipeline/sync_parallel_pipeline.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from loguru import logger
 from pipecat.frames.frames import ControlFrame, EndFrame, Frame, SystemFrame
 from pipecat.pipeline.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
 from pipecat.pipeline.pipeline import Pipeline
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor, FrameProcessorSetup
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -103,6 +103,12 @@ class SyncParallelPipeline(BasePipeline):
     # Frame processor
     #
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await asyncio.gather(*[s["processor"].setup(setup) for s in self._sources])
+        await asyncio.gather(*[p.setup(setup) for p in self._pipelines])
+        await asyncio.gather(*[s["processor"].setup(setup) for s in self._sinks])
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await asyncio.gather(*[s["processor"].cleanup() for s in self._sources])
diff --git a/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py b/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
index c40173899..679bb02e4 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from pipecat.observers.base_observer import BaseObserver
 from pipecat.pipeline.base_pipeline import BasePipeline
 from pipecat.pipeline.base_task import BaseTask
 from pipecat.pipeline.task_observer import TaskObserver
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor, FrameProcessorSetup
 from pipecat.utils.asyncio import BaseTaskManager, TaskManager
 
 HEARTBEAT_SECONDS = 1.0
@@ -294,8 +294,15 @@ class PipelineTask(BaseTask):
             return
         cleanup_pipeline = True
         try:
+            # Setup processors.
+            await self._setup()
+
+            # Create all main tasks and wait of the main push task. This is the
+            # task that pushes frames to the very beginning of our pipeline (our
+            # controlled PipelineTaskSource processor).
             push_task = await self._create_tasks()
             await self._task_manager.wait_for_task(push_task)
+
             # We have already cleaned up the pipeline inside the task.
             cleanup_pipeline = False
         except asyncio.CancelledError:
@@ -405,6 +412,16 @@ class PipelineTask(BaseTask):
         await self._pipeline_end_event.wait()
         self._pipeline_end_event.clear()
 
+    async def _setup(self):
+        setup = FrameProcessorSetup(
+            clock=self._clock,
+            task_manager=self._task_manager,
+            observer=self._observer,
+        )
+        await self._source.setup(setup)
+        await self._pipeline.setup(setup)
+        await self._sink.setup(setup)
+
     async def _cleanup(self, cleanup_pipeline: bool):
         # Cleanup base object.
         await self.cleanup()
@@ -427,14 +444,11 @@ class PipelineTask(BaseTask):
         self._maybe_start_idle_task()
 
         start_frame = StartFrame(
-            clock=self._clock,
-            task_manager=self._task_manager,
             allow_interruptions=self._params.allow_interruptions,
             audio_in_sample_rate=self._params.audio_in_sample_rate,
             audio_out_sample_rate=self._params.audio_out_sample_rate,
             enable_metrics=self._params.enable_metrics,
             enable_usage_metrics=self._params.enable_usage_metrics,
-            observer=self._observer,
             report_only_initial_ttfb=self._params.report_only_initial_ttfb,
         )
         start_frame.metadata = self._params.start_metadata
diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
index 97cc24378..b444b4c58 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #
 
 import asyncio
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import Awaitable, Callable, Coroutine, Optional
 
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     SystemFrame,
 )
 from pipecat.metrics.metrics import LLMTokenUsage, MetricsData
-from pipecat.observers.base_observer import FramePushed
+from pipecat.observers.base_observer import BaseObserver, FramePushed
 from pipecat.processors.metrics.frame_processor_metrics import FrameProcessorMetrics
 from pipecat.utils.asyncio import BaseTaskManager
 from pipecat.utils.base_object import BaseObject
@@ -32,6 +33,13 @@ class FrameDirection(Enum):
     UPSTREAM = 2
 
 
+@dataclass
+class FrameProcessorSetup:
+    clock: BaseClock
+    task_manager: BaseTaskManager
+    observer: Optional[BaseObserver] = None
+
+
 class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -51,12 +59,17 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
         # Task Manager
         self._task_manager: Optional[BaseTaskManager] = None
 
+        # Observer
+        self._observer: Optional[BaseObserver] = None
+
         # Other properties
         self._allow_interruptions = False
         self._enable_metrics = False
         self._enable_usage_metrics = False
         self._report_only_initial_ttfb = False
-        self._observer = None
+
+        # Indicates whether we have received the StartFrame.
+        self.__started = False
 
         # Cancellation is done through CancelFrame (a system frame). This could
         # cause other events being triggered (e.g. closing a transport) which
@@ -167,6 +180,11 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
             raise Exception(f"{self} TaskManager is still not initialized.")
         await self._task_manager.wait_for_task(task, timeout)
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        self._clock = setup.clock
+        self._task_manager = setup.task_manager
+        self._observer = setup.observer
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await self.__cancel_input_task()
@@ -227,13 +245,6 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
 
     async def process_frame(self, frame: Frame, direction: FrameDirection):
         if isinstance(frame, StartFrame):
-            self._clock = frame.clock
-            self._task_manager = frame.task_manager
-            self._allow_interruptions = frame.allow_interruptions
-            self._enable_metrics = frame.enable_metrics
-            self._enable_usage_metrics = frame.enable_usage_metrics
-            self._report_only_initial_ttfb = frame.report_only_initial_ttfb
-            self._observer = frame.observer
             await self.__start(frame)
         elif isinstance(frame, StartInterruptionFrame):
             await self._start_interruption()
@@ -247,7 +258,7 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
         await self.push_frame(error, FrameDirection.UPSTREAM)
 
     async def push_frame(self, frame: Frame, direction: FrameDirection = FrameDirection.DOWNSTREAM):
-        if not self._check_ready(frame):
+        if not self._check_started(frame):
             return
 
         if isinstance(frame, SystemFrame):
@@ -256,6 +267,11 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
             await self.__push_queue.put((frame, direction))
 
     async def __start(self, frame: StartFrame):
+        self.__started = True
+        self._allow_interruptions = frame.allow_interruptions
+        self._enable_metrics = frame.enable_metrics
+        self._enable_usage_metrics = frame.enable_usage_metrics
+        self._report_only_initial_ttfb = frame.report_only_initial_ttfb
         self.__create_input_task()
         self.__create_push_task()
 
@@ -323,15 +339,10 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
             await self.push_error(ErrorFrame(str(e)))
             raise
 
-    def _check_ready(self, frame: Frame):
-        # If we are trying to push a frame but we still have no clock, it means
-        # we didn't process a StartFrame.
-        if not self._clock:
-            logger.error(
-                f"{self} not properly initialized, missing super().process_frame(frame, direction)?"
-            )
-            return False
-        return True
+    def _check_started(self, frame: Frame):
+        if not self.__started:
+            logger.error(f"{self} Trying to process {frame} but StartFrame not received yet")
+        return self.__started
 
     def __create_input_task(self):
         if not self.__input_frame_task:
diff --git a/src/pipecat/transports/services/daily.py b/src/pipecat/transports/services/daily.py
index 4528662a6..b31396433 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/transports/services/daily.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/transports/services/daily.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     UserImageRawFrame,
     UserImageRequestFrame,
 )
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessorSetup
 from pipecat.transcriptions.language import Language
 from pipecat.transports.base_input import BaseInputTransport
 from pipecat.transports.base_output import BaseOutputTransport
@@ -410,7 +410,25 @@ class DailyTransportClient(EventHandler):
         if not destination and self._camera:
             self._camera.write_frame(frame.image)
 
-    async def setup(self, frame: StartFrame):
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        if self._task_manager:
+            return
+
+        self._task_manager = setup.task_manager
+        self._callback_task = self._task_manager.create_task(
+            self._callback_task_handler(),
+            f"{self}::callback_task",
+        )
+
+    async def cleanup(self):
+        if self._callback_task and self._task_manager:
+            await self._task_manager.cancel_task(self._callback_task)
+            self._callback_task = None
+        # Make sure we don't block the event loop in case `client.release()`
+        # takes extra time.
+        await self._get_event_loop().run_in_executor(self._executor, self._cleanup)
+
+    async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         self._in_sample_rate = self._params.audio_in_sample_rate or frame.audio_in_sample_rate
         self._out_sample_rate = self._params.audio_out_sample_rate or frame.audio_out_sample_rate
 
@@ -439,13 +457,6 @@ class DailyTransportClient(EventHandler):
             )
             Daily.select_speaker_device(self._speaker_name())
 
-        if not self._task_manager:
-            self._task_manager = frame.task_manager
-            self._callback_task = self._task_manager.create_task(
-                self._callback_task_handler(),
-                f"{self}::callback_task",
-            )
-
     async def join(self):
         # Transport already joined or joining, ignore.
         if self._joined or self._joining:
@@ -612,14 +623,6 @@ class DailyTransportClient(EventHandler):
         self._client.leave(completion=completion_callback(future))
         return await asyncio.wait_for(future, timeout=10)
 
-    async def cleanup(self):
-        if self._callback_task and self._task_manager:
-            await self._task_manager.cancel_task(self._callback_task)
-            self._callback_task = None
-        # Make sure we don't block the event loop in case `client.release()`
-        # takes extra time.
-        await self._get_event_loop().run_in_executor(self._executor, self._cleanup)
-
     def _cleanup(self):
         if self._client:
             self._client.release()
@@ -952,6 +955,15 @@ class DailyInputTransport(BaseInputTransport):
             logger.debug(f"Start receiving audio")
             self._audio_in_task = self.create_task(self._audio_in_task_handler())
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await self._client.setup(setup)
+
+    async def cleanup(self):
+        await super().cleanup()
+        await self._client.cleanup()
+        await self._transport.cleanup()
+
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         if self._initialized:
             return
@@ -962,7 +974,7 @@ class DailyInputTransport(BaseInputTransport):
         await super().start(frame)
 
         # Setup client.
-        await self._client.setup(frame)
+        await self._client.start(frame)
 
         # Join the room.
         await self._client.join()
@@ -993,11 +1005,6 @@ class DailyInputTransport(BaseInputTransport):
             await self.cancel_task(self._audio_in_task)
             self._audio_in_task = None
 
-    async def cleanup(self):
-        await super().cleanup()
-        await self._client.cleanup()
-        await self._transport.cleanup()
-
     #
     # FrameProcessor
     #
@@ -1139,6 +1146,15 @@ class DailyOutputTransport(BaseOutputTransport):
         # Whether we have seen a StartFrame already.
         self._initialized = False
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await self._client.setup(setup)
+
+    async def cleanup(self):
+        await super().cleanup()
+        await self._client.cleanup()
+        await self._transport.cleanup()
+
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         if self._initialized:
             return
@@ -1149,7 +1165,7 @@ class DailyOutputTransport(BaseOutputTransport):
         await super().start(frame)
 
         # Setup client.
-        await self._client.setup(frame)
+        await self._client.start(frame)
 
         # Join the room.
         await self._client.join()
@@ -1169,11 +1185,6 @@ class DailyOutputTransport(BaseOutputTransport):
         # Leave the room.
         await self._client.leave()
 
-    async def cleanup(self):
-        await super().cleanup()
-        await self._client.cleanup()
-        await self._transport.cleanup()
-
     async def send_message(self, frame: TransportMessageFrame | TransportMessageUrgentFrame):
         await self._client.send_message(frame)
 
diff --git a/src/pipecat/transports/services/livekit.py b/src/pipecat/transports/services/livekit.py
index 36cc5d604..4f215d04f 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/transports/services/livekit.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/transports/services/livekit.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     TransportMessageFrame,
     TransportMessageUrgentFrame,
 )
-from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection
+from pipecat.processors.frame_processor import FrameDirection, FrameProcessor, FrameProcessorSetup
 from pipecat.transports.base_input import BaseInputTransport
 from pipecat.transports.base_output import BaseOutputTransport
 from pipecat.transports.base_transport import BaseTransport, TransportParams
@@ -100,20 +100,27 @@ class LiveKitTransportClient:
             raise Exception(f"{self}: missing room object (pipeline not started?)")
         return self._room
 
-    async def setup(self, frame: StartFrame):
-        self._out_sample_rate = self._params.audio_out_sample_rate or frame.audio_out_sample_rate
-        if not self._task_manager:
-            self._task_manager = frame.task_manager
-            self._room = rtc.Room(loop=self._task_manager.get_event_loop())
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        if self._task_manager:
+            return
 
-            # Set up room event handlers
-            self.room.on("participant_connected")(self._on_participant_connected_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("participant_disconnected")(self._on_participant_disconnected_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("track_subscribed")(self._on_track_subscribed_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("track_unsubscribed")(self._on_track_unsubscribed_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("data_received")(self._on_data_received_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("connected")(self._on_connected_wrapper)
-            self.room.on("disconnected")(self._on_disconnected_wrapper)
+        self._task_manager = setup.task_manager
+        self._room = rtc.Room(loop=self._task_manager.get_event_loop())
+
+        # Set up room event handlers
+        self.room.on("participant_connected")(self._on_participant_connected_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("participant_disconnected")(self._on_participant_disconnected_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("track_subscribed")(self._on_track_subscribed_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("track_unsubscribed")(self._on_track_unsubscribed_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("data_received")(self._on_data_received_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("connected")(self._on_connected_wrapper)
+        self.room.on("disconnected")(self._on_disconnected_wrapper)
+
+    async def cleanup(self):
+        await self.disconnect()
+
+    async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
+        self._out_sample_rate = self._params.audio_out_sample_rate or frame.audio_out_sample_rate
 
     @retry(stop=stop_after_attempt(3), wait=wait_exponential(multiplier=1, min=4, max=10))
     async def connect(self):
@@ -333,9 +340,6 @@ class LiveKitTransportClient:
             else:
                 logger.warning(f"Received unexpected event type: {type(event)}")
 
-    async def cleanup(self):
-        await self.disconnect()
-
     async def get_next_audio_frame(self):
         frame, participant_id = await self._audio_queue.get()
         return frame, participant_id
@@ -366,7 +370,7 @@ class LiveKitInputTransport(BaseInputTransport):
 
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         await super().start(frame)
-        await self._client.setup(frame)
+        await self._client.start(frame)
         await self._client.connect()
         if not self._audio_in_task and self._params.audio_in_enabled:
             self._audio_in_task = self.create_task(self._audio_in_task_handler())
@@ -386,6 +390,10 @@ class LiveKitInputTransport(BaseInputTransport):
         if self._audio_in_task and self._params.audio_in_enabled:
             await self.cancel_task(self._audio_in_task)
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await self._client.setup(setup)
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await self._transport.cleanup()
@@ -440,7 +448,7 @@ class LiveKitOutputTransport(BaseOutputTransport):
 
     async def start(self, frame: StartFrame):
         await super().start(frame)
-        await self._client.setup(frame)
+        await self._client.start(frame)
         await self._client.connect()
         await self.set_transport_ready(frame)
         logger.info("LiveKitOutputTransport started")
@@ -454,6 +462,10 @@ class LiveKitOutputTransport(BaseOutputTransport):
         await super().cancel(frame)
         await self._client.disconnect()
 
+    async def setup(self, setup: FrameProcessorSetup):
+        await super().setup(setup)
+        await self._client.setup(setup)
+
     async def cleanup(self):
         await super().cleanup()
         await self._transport.cleanup()