HOW TO Control audio with SoundSource

1 Adjust system audio

At the top of SoundSource’s popover is the System section. Here you can raise or lower the volume for output, input, and sound effects. Move the sliders until you are happy with the result or click the speaker icon to mute.

2 Input/output devices

To the right of each row is the Device section. This lets you change the device for output, input, and sound effects. Simply click the name of the currently selected device and choose a new one from the list.

3 Magic Boost

Magic Boost is a clever feature in SoundSource. It boosts quieter sections of audio while leaving louder sections intact, without creating distortion. Click the upwards arrows under the Boost header to activate it.

4 Adjust per–app audio

As well as altering system audio, SoundSource lets you do this for each app under the Applications header. Click Add Favorite to keep an app in the SoundSource menu permanently or click the green star to remove one.

5 Redirect audio

SoundSource can tell your Mac to send audio from one app to a certain output while keeping everything else pumping through your Mac speakers. Just select an output device under the Redirect Audio To header.

6 Left/right balance

To access advanced settings, click the arrow on the far right of the screen. Use the Balance section to change whether sound comes predominantly from the left or right speakers (this setting is for system audio only).

7 Volume Overdrive

Apps have a unique Volume Overdrive setting, which boosts an app’s volume up to 400%. Click the arrow on the far right, then choose between 1x and 4x to set the maximum volume. Now adjust the slider to your desired level.

8 Equalizer settings

In the advanced settings is an option for a 10–band equalizer. You can choose from a range of presets (for your AirPods, for example, or for a style of music). Click 10–Band Equalizer to adjust audio levels in minute detail.

9 Add an effect

SoundSource works with third– party effects to adjust your sound. Click the Add Effect button; by default, the app includes Apple’s own audio effects. To add more, drop them in /Library/Audio/ Plug–Ins/Components.

10 Processing latency

Click the gear icon on the right– hand side, then Preferences. Click the Audio tab. Here you can adjust the audio processing latency used in SoundSource. Lower latency is good for recording audio but can result in sound skipping.

11 Super Volume Keys

Below the latency slider you’ll find a setting for Super Volume Keys. These let you use your Mac’s volume buttons to tweak volume on any output device — perfect for quickly raising or lowering the volume remotely.

12 Add to menu bar

Click the Appearance tab. Under Menu Bar Meters, fill the checkboxes to add settings to the menu bar. This lets you see audio levels and mute your input on one app, or your Mac’s entire output, without opening SoundSource.