Mac OSX Lion — Output Sound to Multiple Devices

While setting up for a recent home recording session, I remembered that during a previous one, I found the constant need to switch between audio outputs in Adobe Audition — one for while recording, the other for listening, frustrating. It was that, or constantly plug-in and then unplug the headphones; also not a great option.

So after doing some research, I discovered that without any third-party apps, Mac OSX supports my scenario.

Here’s how:

1. Open “Audio MIDI Setup”

2. Click the + on the bottom left-hand corner and add a Multiple Output Device

[caption id=”attachment_556" align=”aligncenter” width=”300"]

OSX Audio to Multiple Sources: Step 2 — Add a Multiple Output Device[/caption]

[caption id=”attachment_557" align=”aligncenter” width=”287"]

OSX Audio to Multiple Sources: Step 2b — Add a Multiple Output Device[/caption]

3. Select the devices to which you wish to simultaneously send sound

[caption id=”attachment_558" align=”aligncenter” width=”300"]

OSX Audio to Multiple Sources: Step 3 — Select the devices you wish to include in the multiple output device[/caption]

4. Adjust the volume for each device by twirling the arrow and adjusting each listed device

[caption id=”attachment_559" align=”aligncenter” width=”288"]

OSX Audio to Multiple Sources: Step 4 — twirl open the new device[/caption]

[caption id=”attachment_560" align=”aligncenter” width=”300"]

OSX Audio to Multiple Sources: Step 4b — Adjust the volume for each device[/caption]

5. Then in your audio package, select the newly created audio device (Multi-output device, by default)

[box] Note: you may need to restart your audio package. [/box]

That’s it. Now, you can have multiple devices filled with audio. In my case, I have the recording mic with a headphone monitor, and my local headphone monitors receiving sound at the same time.

Happy tracking!