{"id":98041,"date":"2026-01-30T12:15:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=98041"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:15:49","slug":"soundsource-6-delivers-more-useful-mac-audio-options-that-build-on-its-strong-foundations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/98041-soundsource-6-delivers-more-useful-mac-audio-options-that-build-on-its-strong-foundations\/","title":{"rendered":"SoundSource 6 Delivers More Useful Mac Audio Options That Build On Its Strong Foundations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two years ago, I concluded my review of SoundSource 5<\/a> by stating that it was \u201camong a handful of truly stellar apps that keeps me firmly fixed on the Mac platform\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rogue Amoeba, the developers behind SoundSource, are not one to rest on their laurels. Recently, they released SoundSource 6<\/a>, which builds on the application\u2019s strong foundations with several new features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with SoundSource\u2019s visual refresh, which integrates well with macOS Tahoe, without the contrast and readability issues that plague the OS. (Apple, take note!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
SoundSource lives in your Mac’s menu bar. Here’s the main interface (Dark Mode), where you can see your audio settings, applications, and more.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
SoundSource 6’s light mode is surprisingly still clear and easy to read, despite being refreshed to match Apple’s Liquid Glass design language.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For this article, I\u2019m going to focus on SoundSource\u2019s new features. Chief among them is the ability to send audio to one or more AirPlay devices. For example, I can now use my HomePod mini as a speaker for my Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
SoundSource 6 lets you pair your outputs into various groupings. You can rename them as needed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
SoundSource 6 will also let you assign a custom icon for each Output Group. (Very handy!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SoundSource finally gives users the ability to save Output Groups. As an example, I\u2019ve created an Output Group that lets me play audio from BOTH my Mac mini\u2019s internal speaker AND a pair of external stereo speakers that are connected to it. I could also create another Output Group that pipes audio to my display\u2019s internal speakers and my Homepod Mini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Right clicking the SoundSource 6 menu icon will give you a list of your input and output audio devices, along with your Output Groups.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best part of creating Output Groups is being able to assign them to specific applications. When I\u2019m watching YouTube, for example, I\u2019ll have SoundSource route audio to both my Mac\u2019s internal speaker and a pair of Bestian external speakers. Individual outputs within an Output Group can have their own customized volume adjustment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Configs is another new SoundSource features, which lets you save audio configurations based on different devices or locations. When I\u2019m at home, I have access to a broader range of speakers. But, at work, I only use my Mac\u2019s internal speaker or my Airpods. With Quick Configs, I just pick the Profile I want, and my audio configuration is automatically set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
SoundSource 6 lists all of your audio inputs and outputs. You can even create a preferred device order. Here, I’ve got my HomePod mini assigned as an Airplay speaker for my Mac mini.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another helpful improvement in SoundSource is the ability to see all of your audio inputs and outputs at a glance, thanks to the Audio Devices window. This is immensely useful to me, in that I no longer need to make a trip to the Audio settings in System Settings. In this window, I can also set the Preferred Device Order. I personally opt to have my external speakers as the default audio output, with my Mac\u2019s internal speakers as a secondary option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another SoundSource 6 feature I really like is Toggle Mute. Assign a custom keystroke to this feature and you\u2019ll be able to instantly mute your microphone. (This feature is perfect when you feel a cough is coming on\u2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also lock settings in SoundSource 6, to prevent accidental changes. This can be handy in a controlled recording environment. Users can also optionally hide a device from its list, to prevent the system from using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SoundSource 6 is packed with a lot of genuinely useful features, particularly if you have multiple audio inputs and outputs. I initially balked at the upgrade price, but after a bit of testing this past week, I found the new features in version 6 to be worth the expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At $49, not everyone has the Mac audio needs to justify SoundSource<\/a>. But if you have a microphone, a webcam, an audio mixer, speakers, Airpods, HomePods or other audio peripherals, SoundSource brings them all under their control in a fantastic interface that also gives you granular control over specific apps and workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rogue Amoeba offers a trial version of SoundSource 6 to test drive. Users moving up from SoundSource 4 and 5 can do so for $25US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SoundSource 6<\/a> effectively builds on a strong foundation with features that truly make the application shine. To me, it remains as indispensable as it was before.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The latest update to the longstanding, excellent Mac audio utility brings a visual refresh and new features.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286,"featured_media":98076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[932,7597,4],"class_list":["post-98041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-app-review","category-mac-tips","category-tech-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nSoundSource 6 Delivers More Useful Mac Audio Options That Build On Its Strong Foundations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The latest update to the longstanding, excellent Mac audio utility brings a visual refresh and new features.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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