How to Download BlackHole for Mac: A Guide for Audio Lovers
If you are a Mac user who loves to work with audio, you might have encountered some limitations when it comes to routing, recording, or streaming audio on your device. For example, you might want to record the sound from a YouTube video, or send the audio from your DAW to a video conferencing app, or stream your music production to an online platform. However, MacOS does not provide a native way to do these things, and you might need to rely on third-party solutions that are either expensive, complicated, or unreliable.
Fortunately, there is a free, simple, and powerful solution that can help you take control of your Mac audio. It is called BlackHole, and it is a modern virtual audio driver that allows applications to pass audio to other applications with zero additional latency. In this article, we will show you how to download and install BlackHole for Mac, how to use it for various purposes, and some tips and tricks to make the most out of it.
download blackhole for mac
What is BlackHole?
BlackHole is a virtual audio device that shows up as a hardware input and output on your Mac. It acts as a loopback device that can capture and send audio from any source to any destination. You can use it to route audio between applications, record system audio, stream audio online, and more. It supports up to 256 channels and multiple sample rates, from 8kHz to 768kHz. It also has zero driver latency, which means no delay or sync issues.
BlackHole is developed by Existential Audio, an independent software company founded by Devin Roth. It is based on the Soundflower project, which was discontinued in 2014. BlackHole is open source and free to use for personal and commercial purposes. You can find more information about BlackHole on its .
Why Do You Need BlackHole?
BlackHole can help you solve many audio problems that you might encounter on your Mac. Here are some common use cases and scenarios where BlackHole can come in handy:
Record system audio: You can use BlackHole to record any sound that comes out of your Mac, such as web videos, games, podcasts, etc. You can use any audio recording software that supports BlackHole as an input device, such as GarageBand, Audacity , or QuickTime Player.
Route audio between applications: You can use BlackHole to send audio from one application to another, such as from your DAW to a video editing software, or from a music player to a sound analyzer. You can use any audio software that supports BlackHole as an input or output device, such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Audition.
Stream audio online: You can use BlackHole to stream audio from your Mac to an online platform, such as YouTube, Twitch, Zoom, or Skype. You can use any streaming software that supports BlackHole as an input device, such as OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, or Ecamm Live.
As you can see, BlackHole is a versatile and powerful tool that can enhance your audio experience on your Mac. Now let's see how to download and install it.
How to Download and Install BlackHole for Mac
Downloading and installing BlackHole for Mac is very easy and straightforward. You have two options: you can either download the installer from the official website, or you can use Homebrew, a package manager for MacOS. Here are the steps for both methods:
Step 1: Choose the version and channel count that suits your needs
BlackHole comes in two versions: 16ch and 2ch. The 16ch version supports up to 16 channels of audio, while the 2ch version supports only 2 channels. The 16ch version is recommended for most users, as it offers more flexibility and compatibility. However, if you only need stereo audio, you can use the 2ch version to save some CPU resources.
You can also choose the channel count that you want to use for BlackHole. By default, it is set to 16 for the 16ch version and 2 for the 2ch version. However, you can change it to any number between 1 and 256 by editing the configuration file. This can be useful if you want to optimize the performance or compatibility of BlackHole with your audio applications.
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Step 2: Download the installer or use Homebrew
If you want to download the installer, you can go to the and click on the download button for the version that you want. You will get a zip file that contains the installer package.
If you want to use Homebrew, you need to have it installed on your Mac first. If you don't have it yet, you can follow the instructions on the to install it. Then, you can open a terminal window and type the following command:
brew install blackhole-2ch
or
brew install blackhole-16ch
depending on the version that you want.
Step 3: Run the installer or the brew command
If you downloaded the installer, you need to unzip the file and double-click on the package file. Then, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
If you used Homebrew, you just need to wait for the command to finish running. It will automatically download and install BlackHole for you.
Step 4: Restart CoreAudio or your Mac
The last step is to restart CoreAudio or your Mac. CoreAudio is the system service that handles audio on MacOS. Restarting it will make sure that BlackHole is recognized and activated by your system.
To restart CoreAudio, you can use another terminal command:
sudo killall coreaudiod
You will need to enter your password when prompted.
To restart your Mac, you can use the Apple menu and choose Restart.
How to Use BlackHole for Mac
Now that you have installed BlackHole for Mac, you can start using it for your audio needs. Here are some basic steps on how to use BlackHole for Mac:
Step 1: Set up a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup
A multi-output device is a virtual device that allows you to send audio to multiple destinations at once. You will need to create one if you want to use BlackHole along with your built-in speakers or headphones, or any other external audio device.
To create a multi-output device, you need to open Audio MIDI Setup, which is a utility app that comes with MacOS. You can find it in the Applications folder, or use Spotlight to search for it. Once you open it, you will see a list of audio devices on the left side of the window. To create a multi-output device, you need to click on the plus (+) button at the bottom left corner and choose Create Multi-Output Device. A new device will appear on the list, and you can rename it if you want.
Then, you need to check the boxes next to the devices that you want to include in the multi-output device. For example, if you want to use BlackHole and your built-in speakers, you need to check the boxes next to BlackHole and Built-in Output. You can also adjust the volume and drift correction settings for each device by clicking on the gear icon at the bottom right corner.
Once you have set up your multi-output device, you need to make it your default output device. To do that, you need to go to System Preferences > Sound > Output and select your multi-output device from the list. Alternatively, you can use the volume icon on the menu bar and choose your multi-output device from there.
Step 2: Select BlackHole as the input or output device in your audio applications
The next step is to select BlackHole as the input or output device in your audio applications. This will allow you to send or receive audio from BlackHole. The exact steps may vary depending on the application that you are using, but generally, you need to go to the preferences or settings menu of the application and look for the audio input or output options. Then, you need to choose BlackHole from the list of available devices.
For example, if you want to record system audio with QuickTime Player, you need to open QuickTime Player and go to File > New Audio Recording. Then, you need to click on the arrow next to the record button and choose BlackHole as the input device. This will allow you to record any sound that comes out of your Mac.
Similarly, if you want to route audio from Logic Pro to Final Cut Pro, you need to open Logic Pro and go to Preferences > Audio > Devices. Then, you need to choose BlackHole as the output device. This will allow you to send audio from Logic Pro to BlackHole. Then, you need to open Final Cut Pro and go to Preferences > Audio > Input. Then, you need to choose BlackHole as the input device. This will allow you to receive audio from BlackHole in Final Cut Pro.
Step 3: Adjust the volume and latency settings as needed
The final step is to adjust the volume and latency settings as needed. The volume settings can be adjusted in System Preferences > Sound > Output or in your audio applications. The latency settings can be adjusted in Audio MIDI Setup or in your audio applications.
The volume settings determine how loud or soft the audio is when it is sent or received by BlackHole. You can adjust them according to your preference or needs. However, be careful not to set them too high or too low, as this may cause distortion or clipping.
The latency settings determine how much delay or sync there is between the audio sources and destinations when using BlackHole. You can adjust them according to your preference or needs. However, be aware that lower latency means higher CPU usage and vice versa. Also, different applications may have different latency settings, so you may need to experiment with them until you find the optimal balance.
Tips and Tricks for Using BlackHole for Mac
Now that you know how to use BlackHole for Mac, here are some tips and tricks that can help you make the most out of it:
Tip 1: Use BlackHole to record system audio
As we mentioned earlier, one of the most common uses of BlackHole is to record system audio on your Mac. You can use any audio recording software that supports BlackHole as an input device, such as GarageBand, Audacity , or QuickTime Player. You can record any sound that comes out of your Mac, such as web videos, games, podcasts, etc. This can be useful for creating tutorials, reviews, demos, or any other content that involves audio.
To record system audio with BlackHole, you need to follow these steps:
Create a multi-output device that includes BlackHole and your built-in speakers or headphones, as explained in Step 1 of the previous section.
Make the multi-output device your default output device, as explained in Step 1 of the previous section.
Open your audio recording software and select BlackHole as the input device.
Start playing the audio that you want to record on your Mac.
Start recording on your audio recording software.
Stop recording when you are done and save or export your audio file.
That's it! You have successfully recorded system audio with BlackHole. You can now edit, share, or use your audio file as you wish.
Tip 2: Use BlackHole to route audio between applications
Another common use of BlackHole is to route audio between applications on your Mac. You can use any audio software that supports BlackHole as an input or output device, such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Audition. You can route audio from one application to another, such as from your DAW to a video editing software, or from a music player to a sound analyzer. This can be useful for enhancing your audio production, mixing, mastering, or analysis.
To route audio between applications with BlackHole, you need to follow these steps:
Open the applications that you want to route audio between and select BlackHole as the output device for the source application and the input device for the destination application.
Start playing the audio on the source application.
Start recording or processing the audio on the destination application.
Stop playing or recording when you are done and save or export your audio file.
That's it! You have successfully routed audio between applications with BlackHole. You can now edit, share, or use your audio file as you wish.
Tip 3: Use BlackHole to stream audio online
A third common use of BlackHole is to stream audio online from your Mac. You can use any streaming software that supports BlackHole as an input device, such as OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, or Ecamm Live. You can stream audio from your Mac to an online platform, such as YouTube, Twitch, Zoom, or Skype. This can be useful for broadcasting your music production, podcasting, gaming, or any other content that involves audio.
To stream audio online with BlackHole, you need to follow these steps:
Create a multi-output device that includes BlackHole and your built-in speakers or headphones, as explained in Step 1 of the previous section.
Make the multi-output device your default output device, as explained in Step 1 of the previous section.
Open your streaming software and select BlackHole as the input device.
Configure your streaming settings and connect to your online platform of choice.
Start playing the audio that you want to stream on your Mac.
Start streaming on your streaming software.
Stop streaming when you are done and end your online session.
That's it! You have successfully streamed audio online with BlackHole. You can now interact with your audience or enjoy your online experience.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install BlackHole for Mac, how to use it for various purposes, and some tips and tricks to make the most out of it. We hope that you have found this guide helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback about BlackHole for Mac, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us through our .
Here are some frequently asked questions about BlackHole for Mac:
FAQ 1: Is BlackHole free and open source?
Yes, BlackHole is free and open source. You can use it for personal and commercial purposes without any limitations or restrictions. You can also view and modify its source code on its .
FAQ 2: Is BlackHole compatible with M1 Macs?
Yes, BlackHole is compatible with M1 Macs. It is a universal binary that can run natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. You can download and install it the same way as you would on an Intel Mac.
FAQ 3: How can I uninstall BlackHole?
If you want to uninstall BlackHole, you can use the uninstaller that comes with the installer package. You can find it in the same zip file that you downloaded from the official website. You just need to double-click on the uninstaller and follow the instructions on the screen to remove BlackHole from your Mac.
If you used Homebrew to install BlackHole, you can use another terminal command to uninstall it:
brew uninstall blackhole-2ch
or
brew uninstall blackhole-16ch
depending on the version that you installed.
FAQ 4: How can I get support or report issues with BlackHole?
If you need support or want to report issues with BlackHole, you can use the following channels:
The , where you can submit bug reports, feature requests, or questions.
The , where you can chat with other users and developers of BlackHole.
The , where you can share your experiences and tips with BlackHole.
The , where you can watch tutorials and demos of BlackHole.
FAQ 5: What are some alternatives to BlackHole?
If you are looking for some alternatives to BlackHole, you might want to check out these options:
, a paid virtual audio router that offers more features and customization options than BlackHole.
, a free virtual audio driver that was the predecessor of BlackHole. It is no longer maintained, but it still works on some older versions of MacOS.
, a paid audio recording and processing software that can also route audio between applications.
, a free virtual audio driver that can capture system audio and route it to other applications.
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