Streaming on my Mac shouldn't require this amazing $99 app — but it does

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Streaming on my Mac shouldn't require this astonishing $99 app — only it does

(Prototype credit: Henry T. Casey)

Every bit I've written here earlier, I absolutely dear the 14-inch MacBook Pro (one of the all-time laptops there is). I purchased my own shortly after its release tardily last year, but considering of a number of reasons, including supply concatenation delays, it took me a while to really get information technology.

And at present that I've got a MacBook Pro, and am starting to Twitch stream on it, I've learned one annoying little matter nearly all Macs. While I'k personally a fan of macOS Monterey (at least compared to Windows 11), information technology handles audio in a different way than Windows-based PCs, do — and in a way that tin exist costly to ready.

So, I poked around, and even got a hazard to exam out the all-time solution to this result. Unfortunately, though, that solution is non cheap. It's $99.

Macs and PCs exercise audio differently too

When I streamed on a PC, my broadcasts often included sound captured from sources other than my Blue Yeti mic and the game I was playing. Those sound came from YouTube (via Chrome) if I was using copyright costless music, from Windows Media Player if I was playing intro and outro music and from Discord if I was hosting a guest or two. On Windows, you send all of that audio to your live stream through something chosen Desktop Audio.

(Paradigm credit: OBS)

Unfortunately, Desktop Sound — I learned — is disabled on Macs. They just don't have that feature. When I tried to select Desktop Sound in OBS on my MacBook Pro, it just didn't work.

Fortunately, I found a solution or two.

The fix I recommend: Loopback

For years, I heard many podcasters (who all bargain with audio problems) mention something called Loopback. My memory recalled that information technology's slice of software from the macOS awarding maestros over at Rogue Amoeba, so I decided to expect upward Loopback to see if it was truly the solution to my Desktop Audio consequence. And it turns out that, yeah, Loopback solves many of the problems that folks like myself may face.

Loopback gives y'all a clean and piece of cake to understand interface to have audio from applications and plow them into a new audio source that OBS and other applications can run into. You only add together an application every bit a "source" and select from ane of your running applications, or merely whatsoever programme on your Mac.

(Image credit: Rogue Amoeba)

You tin also select a "special" source, if yous desire sound from Finder, Siri or another system utility. Yous're not just limited to one application either, and you can play effectually with multiple output channels, if you're that kind of audio sorcerer. Yous can even command the volume of each application from Loopback.

As you can come across for yourself, Loopback looks really prissy, and information technology works that style likewise. I had a hunch it would, as I've previously used Sound Hijack Pro, a sound recording utility of Rogue Amoeba'southward.

The only problem with software this practiced is that it's priced a fleck higher than you might adopt, at $99. And at that place are (reportedly) alternatives.

Why you should probably pay for Loopback

There are ii notable alternatives out at that place, but neither seems right (for me, at least). I lost at least an hour trying to figure out BlackHole, a free audio routing utility for the Mac. Unfortunately, it's less of a standalone utility and more of a plugin that volition piece of work with the Sound Midi Setup application. And, sadly, that whole process was manner too complicated for me to effigy out.

Then there's likewise Soundflower, another free utility. But it'due south seemingly non being kept up to engagement, and it doesn't support Apple Silicon Macs. People notwithstanding on Intel Macs may apply, but that'south not me.

Your Mac shouldn't need Loopback, just it's a darn fine solution to this peculiar trouble.

And so at that place's the all-time reason that yous should pay for the software y'all truly rely on: quality. Nowadays, it'due south actually hard to become people to really invest in software, but certain studios (such every bit Rogue Amoeba) earn those investments because of their excellent runway history.

These days, buying an app (usually) doesn't only get you the software. Your back up for that company typically translates to getting support for that application on your end. That comes both in the form of features updates and patches to fix bugs and bodily assistance. Equally Rogue Amoeba's site says, its reps "strive to reply in nether 24 hours." And I tin adjure to that, every bit a support amanuensis named Aaron helped me make sure I actually needed Loopback every bit I explained my needs.

And, since I've tested Loopback for my own needs, count me among the many voices who shout the praise of this utility. Your Mac shouldn't demand Loopback, just it's a darn fine solution to this peculiar trouble.

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'south Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Mag. He'south also covered the wild earth of professional person wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/streaming-on-my-mac-shouldnt-require-this-amazing-dollar99-app-but-it-does

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