Getting Started: Sending System Audio to BlackHole

Want to record or stream your Mac's system audio while still hearing everything through your speakers or headphones?

Although audio routing can seem confusing at first, setting up a Multi-Output Device only takes a few minutes. Once configured, your Mac will send audio to both BlackHole and your listening device at the same time.

This is the recommended setup for most recording and streaming applications.

Step 1: Open Audio MIDI Setup

• Open Applications > Audio MIDI Setup

Step 2: Create a Multi-Output Device

1. Click the + button in the lower-left corner.
2. Select Create Multi-Output Device.

A new Multi-Output Device will appear in the sidebar.

Step 3: Add Your Output Devices

With the new Multi-Output Device selected:

Enable the checkboxes for:

1. Your headphones, speakers, USB interface, or other playback device of your selection.
2. BlackHole 2ch

Your Mac will now send audio to both devices simultaneously.

Enable Drift Correction for BlackHole to help maintain synchronization between devices.

Step 4: Select the Multi-Output Device

1. Right click on Multi-Output Device recently created.
2. Select Use This Device For Sound Output.

Alternatively, you can go to:

1. Open System Settings
2. Go to Sound
3. Under Output, select your new Multi-Output Device.

Your Mac's system audio is now being sent to:

• Your speakers or headphones (so you can hear it)
• BlackHole (for recording or streaming)

Step 5: Select BlackHole Inside Your Recording Application

In your recording or streaming software:

• Choose BlackHole as the audio input/source that should capture your Mac's system audio.

Exactly how you do this depends on the application you're using. For more information, you may find a list of DAW guides here.

Troubleshooting

I can't hear any audio

Make sure your Multi-Output Device includes both:

• BlackHole
• Your speakers or headphones

If only BlackHole is enabled, your audio will be routed only to BlackHole and won't be audible.

My recording is silent

Verify that:

• macOS Output is set to the Multi-Output Device
• Your recording software is listening to BlackHole, not your speakers or headphones

Audio is out of sync or crackling

• Make sure that your speakers/headphones is set as the Clock Source
• Enabling Drift Correction on BlackHole
• Ensuring both devices use the same sample rate (typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz)

Need to record both your microphone and system audio?

A Multi-Output Device only sends audio out of your Mac. If you also want to record your microphone together with BlackHole, you'll need an Aggregate Device.

Click here to learn how to create an Aggregate Device.