Audio level issues in Audio MIDI setup, sample rate related.

[FTL-Online]

I am on an M3 Macbook Pro running Sonoma 14.8. When the sample rate of the driver is changed through any means, the primary output level is set to exactly 0.851. This includes manually changing it and a software telling it to change. I have gone through and set master output to BlackHole, maxed out the volume slider on both 44.1 and 48 kHz settings, and still it does this.
I am unsure if its a feature or not, but as an internal routing method it is not very useful if it is not at unity gain.

I am using Insert Basic to apply some simple room correction eq, and am willing to try other methods, but this is the easiest and fastest I have found without paying for sonarworks or dirac, and REQ wizard doesn't actually apply eq, it just generates the settings.

The reason the sample rate is changing constantly is because I am listening to music from a lossless streaming service called Qobuz, and various tracks are at 44.1k or 48k, so it switches. This is not an issue for Insert basic, but there is a setting that instructs all inputs and outputs to follow coreaudio. This is beyond my knowledge but regardless of any of the programs running the issue persists. I have closed all programs running and restarted the computer, as well as updating blackhole (i am using the 2ch version), and the issue persists. Should I instead use something like Ableton Live or Audacity to route audio through? I just want to reduce CPU use as much as I can, and Ableton Live doesn't like it when the sample rate is changed by anything other than itself.

Have I done something wrong when installing it? should I change some sort of configuration file? I am not exactly a developer but a point in the right direction would be nice.

Great piece of software anyways, I'd like to not have to manually set the volume to unity constantly is all.

P.S (I cant update to Sequoia without literally downloading Tahoe and Golden Gate installers regardless, which makes me think the mac might pull some bs and upgrade itself to Golden Gate and I hate liquid glass so it wont be upgraded. this is irrelevant but frustrating)

[devinroth]

BlackHole doesn’t automatically change volume. The usual culprits are other audio applications that have stuff like “automatic gain”. Check Zoom or anything else. I have no idea if any of the apps you regularly use do that but please check. If all else fails, you can compile a version of BlackHole that completely disables audio volume entirely.

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On Oct 30, 2026 at 10:34 PM -0700, WNC-Musician ***@***.***>, wrote: I am on an M3 Macbook Pro running Sonoma 14.8. When the sample rate of the driver is changed through any means, the primary output level is set to exactly 0.851. This includes manually changing it and a software telling it to change. I have gone through and set master output to BlackHole, maxed out the volume slider on both 44.1 and 48 kHz settings, and still it does this. I am unsure if its a feature or not, but as an internal routing method it is not very useful if it is not at unity gain. I am using Insert Basic to apply some simple room correction eq, and am willing to try other methods, but this is the easiest and fastest I have found without paying for sonarworks or dirac, and REQ wizard doesn't actually apply eq, it just generates the settings. The reason the sample rate is changing constantly is because I am listening to music from a lossless streaming service called Qobuz, and various tracks are at 44.1k or 48k, so it switches. This is not an issue for Insert basic, but there is a setting that instructs all inputs and outputs to follow coreaudio. This is beyond my knowledge but regardless of any of the programs running the issue persists. I have closed all programs running and restarted the computer, as well as updating blackhole (i am using the 2ch version), and the issue persists. Should I instead use something like Ableton Live or Audacity to route audio through? I just want to reduce CPU use as much as I can, and Ableton Live doesn't like it when the sample rate is changed by anything other than itself. Have I done something wrong when installing it? should I change some sort of configuration file? I am not exactly a developer but a point in the right direction would be nice. Great piece of software anyways, I'd like to not have to manually set the volume to unity constantly is all. P.S (I cant update to Sequoia without literally downloading Tahoe and Golden Gate installers regardless, which makes me think the mac might pull some bs and upgrade itself to Golden Gate and I hate liquid glass so it wont be upgraded. this is irrelevant but frustrating) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[FTL-Online]

I kid you not, I opened Zoom and set the in and output to blackhole, then turned the volume all the way up on both, then set the in and output back to my interface, quit zoom and recreated the issue.

Immediately fixed. I hate Zoom, and Zoom hates all audio applications. Good shout lmao

[devinroth]

Haha. Glad it was an easy solution.