Audio routing is a crucial aspect of managing sound on any computer system, and macOS is no exception. Whether you're a music producer, a podcaster, or just someone who wants to control where audio is sent on your Mac, understanding how to route audio effectively can significantly enhance your workflow. In the Apple environment, audio routing can be achieved using built-in tools like Audio MIDI Setup and third-party applications such as Loopback and Soundflower. This article will guide you through the process of setting up audio routing on macOS, providing practical examples and commands to help you get started.

Examples:

1. Using Audio MIDI Setup: Audio MIDI Setup is a built-in utility in macOS that allows you to configure audio devices and manage audio routing.

   • Step 1: Open Audio MIDI Setup. You can find it in the Applications > Utilities folder or by searching for it using Spotlight.
   • Step 2: In the Audio Devices window, you will see a list of all connected audio devices. Click the "+" button at the bottom left and select "Create Aggregate Device."
   • Step 3: Select the audio devices you want to include in this aggregate device by checking the boxes next to them.
   • Step 4: Configure the sample rate and other settings as needed. The aggregate device will now appear as a single audio device that combines the inputs and outputs of the selected devices.

2. Using Loopback: Loopback is a powerful third-party application that allows you to route audio between applications and devices on your Mac.

   • Step 1: Download and install Loopback from the Rogue Amoeba website.
   • Step 2: Open Loopback and click the "+" button to create a new virtual device.
   • Step 3: Add sources by clicking the "+" button under the "Sources" section. You can add applications, audio devices, or even specific audio channels.
   • Step 4: Configure the routing by connecting the sources to the output channels. You can create complex routing setups by adding multiple sources and outputs.
   • Step 5: Select the virtual device in your audio applications as the input or output device to use the configured routing.

3. Using Soundflower: Soundflower is an open-source kernel extension for macOS that allows you to route audio between applications.

   • Step 1: Download and install Soundflower from the GitHub repository.
   • Step 2: Open Audio MIDI Setup and ensure that Soundflower is listed as an audio device.
   • Step 3: In your audio application, select Soundflower as the output device.
   • Step 4: Open another audio application and select Soundflower as the input device. The audio will now be routed from the first application to the second.