How to Set Different Audio Outputs Per Application on Mac

Why Mac Users Need Per-App Audio Routing

Ever wanted to listen to music through your speakers while keeping Discord calls in your headphones? Or maybe you need Zoom audio in your headset but want YouTube videos playing through external speakers? This is called per-app audio routing, and it's something Windows has supported natively for years.

Unfortunately, macOS doesn't offer this functionality out of the box. When you change your system audio output, it affects every single app — there's no built-in way to send different applications to different audio devices.

The Built-in Limitations

Apple's approach to audio is surprisingly basic compared to other desktop operating systems. Here's what macOS gives you:

• System-wide output selection: All audio goes to one device
• Input/output switching: You can change where all audio goes, but not per app
• Volume control: System volume affects everything equally

This creates real problems for people who use multiple audio devices throughout the day. You're constantly switching outputs in System Settings or living with suboptimal audio routing.

Common Scenarios Where This Matters

Remote Work Setup: You want Slack notifications and meeting audio in your headset, but background music through desk speakers so colleagues don't hear it during calls.

Gaming and Streaming: Game audio through headphones for immersion, but Discord voice chat through speakers so you can still hear what's happening around you.

Content Creation: Recording software audio through one interface while monitoring through different outputs, or keeping reference audio separate from your working audio.

Shared Spaces: Music through speakers for everyone, but personal notifications and calls through headphones for privacy.

Method 1: Using Audio MIDI Setup (Limited)

Mac's built-in Audio MIDI Setup can create aggregate devices, but this doesn't solve per-app routing:

1. Open Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup
2. Click the + button and select Create Aggregate Device
3. Check the audio devices you want to combine
4. Set this as your system output in System Settings > Sound

The problem? This sends audio to multiple outputs simultaneously — you can't choose which apps go where.

Method 2: Third-Party Audio Routing Apps

Several Mac apps solve this problem properly:

SoundSource ($49): The most comprehensive option with 10-band EQ, Audio Unit plugins, and advanced routing features. Great if you need professional audio tools, but expensive for basic per-app routing.

Sound Control (~$29): Decent per-app volume and routing controls, though less polished than other options.

Soundish: Focuses specifically on per-app audio control at a fraction of the cost. Routes individual apps to different outputs, controls per-app volume (0-200%), and includes useful features like audio profiles for saving configurations.

Method 3: The Soundish Approach

Soundish takes a straightforward approach to per-app audio routing:

Setting Up Different Outputs:

1. Install Soundish and grant the required audio permissions
2. Open the app to see all your running audio applications
3. For each app, click the output dropdown and select your preferred device
4. Changes apply immediately — no restart required

Creating Audio Profiles: If you switch between different setups (like "Work" vs "Gaming"), save your configurations:

1. Set up your preferred routing for each scenario
2. Save as a named profile
3. Switch between profiles with one click

Volume Control Per App: Beyond routing, you can also set different volume levels for each app, even boosting quiet applications up to 200% of their normal volume.

Real-World Setup Examples

Home Office Setup:

• Zoom/Teams → USB headset
• Spotify/Apple Music → Desktop speakers
• Slack notifications → Headset
• YouTube/background videos → Speakers

Gaming Setup:

• Game audio → Gaming headphones
• Discord voice → Desktop speakers (so you can hear the doorbell)
• Background music → Headphones
• System notifications → Speakers

Technical Requirements

Most per-app audio routing solutions require:

• macOS 14.2+ (for modern Core Audio APIs)
• Audio driver installation (one-time setup)
• System permissions for audio access

The good news is that once set up, everything works automatically. Your routing preferences persist across app restarts and system reboots.

Is It Worth the Setup?

If you regularly use multiple audio devices and find yourself constantly switching outputs in System Settings, per-app routing is a game-changer. It's one of those features that feels obvious once you have it — like Windows' volume mixer, which Mac users often miss.

The key is choosing a solution that matches your needs. If you want professional audio processing, SoundSource justifies its price. If you just want reliable per-app routing without the complexity, simpler solutions work great.

For most users, the ability to route Spotify to speakers while keeping calls in headphones is exactly what they need — no more, no less.