BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver

BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver

BlackHole is a virtual audio driver for macOS that allows applications to pass audio to other applications with zero latency. It's useful for routing audio between music apps, streaming audio, or using audio apps without sound cards.
BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver image
audio driver loopback latency routing macos

BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver: Zero Latency Virtual Audio Driver

BlackHole is a virtual audio driver for macOS that allows applications to pass audio to other applications with zero latency. It's useful for routing audio between music apps, streaming audio, or using audio apps without sound cards.

What is BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver?

BlackHole is an open source virtual audio driver for macOS developed by Existential Audio. It creates a virtual audio output device that other audio apps can route audio to. The audio sent to BlackHole can then be accessed as an input by other apps on the system.

This allows you to route audio between applications with no latency, unlike using physical audio cables. For example, you can route audio from a DAW like Logic Pro into a live streaming software like OBS. Or route audio from a music player into a video editor timeline.

BlackHole is also useful for audio apps that don't have their own built-in audio cards. You can route system audio or mic input to BlackHole, which the app can then access as if it had its own audio input. This provides a lot of flexibility in routing audio between apps.

As an open source project, BlackHole is free to use and works on most versions of macOS. It's a popular tool for podcasters, music producers, and anyone looking to capture or stream audio from their Mac.

BlackHole Audio Loopback Driver Features

Features

  1. Virtual audio driver that creates a virtual output device
  2. Allows routing audio between applications with no latency
  3. Works with any macOS audio application
  4. Creates a virtual output that can be selected as an output device in audio apps
  5. Allows audio streaming and recording without additional hardware
  6. Compatible with all major DAWs, audio editors, etc.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Zero latency audio routing

No additional hardware needed

Works with all audio apps

Simple to setup and use

Free and open source

Cons

Mac only

Can sometimes cause audio glitches

Requires audio apps to support virtual outputs

Limited to stereo output


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