Thankfully, macOS offers a feature called Aggregate Devices that allows you to combine multiple audio devices into a single virtual device. Here’s a straightforward guide to setting up an Aggregate Device, allowing you to seamlessly use inputs and outputs simultaneously in DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, REAPER, Reason, FL Studio, or Garageband.

What Are Aggregate Devices?

An Aggregate Device is a virtual audio device on macOS that combines multiple physical devices into one. This lets your DAW see all the inputs and outputs as a single source, even if they’re from different devices or the same device that doesn’t fully support simultaneous I/O.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Aggregate Audio Device for Audio Input and Output on macOS

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup

Navigate to Applications > Utilities and open Audio MIDI Setup.

If you don’t see the list of devices, go to the top menu and select Window > Show Audio Devices.

2. Create a New Aggregate Device

In the bottom-left corner, click the + button and select Create Aggregate Device.

A new device called “Aggregate Device” will appear in the device list.

3. Configure Your Aggregate Device

On the right-hand side, you’ll see a list of all available audio devices. Check the boxes next to the devices you want to include. For example, if you’re using a USB microphone and the built-in audio output, check both of these devices.

In my case, my USB mixer was showing up as USB Audio CODEC 1 for the output, and USB Audio CODEC 2 for the input. So, these are what I selected in my aggregate device configuration.

Drag devices in the list to arrange their priority. The top device becomes the master clock source, which ensures synchronization.

Ensure that the sample rates for all selected devices match. Mismatched sample rates can cause glitches or audio dropouts.

4. Rename Your Aggregate Device (Optional)

To keep things organized, double-click on Aggregate Device in the device list and rename it to something meaningful. In my case, I gave it the actual name of my hardware, Behringer XENYX X1832USB Mixer.

5. Set the Aggregate Device as Default (Optional)

If you’d like all system audio to use the Aggregate Device, right-click it and select Use This Device for Sound Input and/or Use This Device for Sound Output.

Configuring Your DAW for Aggregate Device Input and Output Usage on macOS

Once your Aggregate Device is set up, you’ll need to configure your DAW to recognize it. Below are general steps for popular DAWs:

Pro Tools

• Go to Setup > Playback Engine.
• Select your Aggregate Device from the dropdown menu.
• Restart Pro Tools if prompted.

REAPER

• Go to Options > Preferences > Audio > Device.
• Choose your Aggregate Device as the Audio System.

Logic Pro

• Navigate to Logic Pro > Settings > Audio.
• Under the Devices tab, select your Aggregate Device for both Input and Output.

Ableton Live

• Open Preferences > Audio.
• Set the Audio Input Device and Audio Output Device to your Aggregate Device.

Reason

• Open Preferences > Audio.
• Select your Aggregate Device under both Audio Input and Output.

FL Studio

• Open Options > Audio Settings.
• Select your Aggregate Device as the Input/Output device.

Garageband

• Go to Garageband > Preferences > Audio/MIDI.
• Set both Input Device and Output Device to your Aggregate Device.

Additional Tips

• Latency: Combining devices can introduce latency. If you notice delays, check the buffer size settings in your DAW and adjust as needed. I recommend starting with a buffer size of 64 samples and increasing by 2x each time until you no longer experience audio glitching or dropouts (i.e. 64 samples, 128 samples, 256 samples, 512 samples).
• Consistency: Ensure all devices are connected before opening your DAW to avoid configuration errors.
• Troubleshooting: If one device’s input or output isn’t working, double-check its sample rate and sync settings in Audio MIDI Setup.

Conclusion

Setting up an Aggregate Device on macOS makes it easy to overcome hardware limitations, enabling simultaneous input and output in your favorite DAW. Whether you’re recording vocals, mixing tracks, or experimenting with sound design, this powerful feature ensures your workflow stays smooth and uninterrupted.

For more detailed instructions, you can check Apple’s official guide here.

The post Aggregate Audio Devices for DAW Input and Output on macOS appeared first on TechOpt.

In this blog, I’ll guide you through the steps to install and manage your applications using Homebrew.

Steps to Keeping Apps up to Date on macOS Using Homebrew package manager

Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that allows you to install software using the command line, making it easier to keep your system organized and your apps up to date.

Step 1: Install Homebrew

Before we can start using Homebrew to install and manage applications, we first need to install it.

To install Homebrew, open the Terminal application on your macOS and run the following command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

This command will download and install Homebrew on your system. Follow the on-screen instructions, and once the installation is complete, Homebrew will be ready to use.

Step 2: Search for Apps

Now that Homebrew is installed, you can search for applications you’d like to install. You can either search from the command line or use the Homebrew website.

From the command line:

To search for an app, simply use the brew search command followed by the app’s name. For example, if you’re looking for Google Chrome, run:

brew search google-chrome

Homebrew will return a list of apps related to the search term.

Using the Homebrew website:

Alternatively, you can visit the Homebrew’s Formulae website and use the search bar to find available apps.

Step 3: Install Apps

Once you’ve found the app you want to install, you can easily install it using Homebrew’s brew install command. For example, to install Google Chrome, run:

brew install --cask google-chrome

Homebrew will automatically download and install the app, and it will be ready to use once the installation is complete.

Step 4: Keep Apps Up to Date

One of the biggest advantages of using Homebrew is how easy it makes keeping your apps up to date. Instead of manually checking for updates for each app, you can update all your installed apps with a single command.

To update your apps, simply run the following command:

brew upgrade

This will upgrade all outdated applications installed via Homebrew to their latest versions. It’s a simple way to ensure your apps are always up to date with minimal effort.

Step 5: Optional – Automate Updates with Crontab

To make sure your apps stay up to date without having to run the brew upgrade command manually, you can set up a cron job to run the update command automatically. For example, you could schedule it to run every Monday at 2 AM.

To do this, open your Terminal and type:

crontab -e

This will open the crontab file in your default text editor. Add the following line to schedule the brew upgrade command:

0 2 * * 1 /usr/local/bin/brew upgrade

This cron job will run the brew upgrade command every Monday at 2 AM. Be sure to save and close the crontab file, and your system will now automatically keep your apps up to date, as long as your computer is powered on at the specified time.

Remarks

• Many apps on macOS are available as “casks” in Homebrew. These are typically GUI applications, such as browsers and editors. You can install cask apps using brew install --cask <app-name>.
• If you want to check if any apps need updating before running the brew upgrade command, use brew outdated. This will list all apps that have updates available.
• If you’re having trouble, you can try running brew doctor to check your Homebrew installation for any issues.

By using Homebrew, you can streamline your app management process on macOS, ensuring that everything stays up to date with minimal effort. Enjoy the convenience of having all your apps in one place!

The post Keeping Apps up to Date on macOS with Homebrew appeared first on TechOpt.