What Is BlackHole and Why Do You Need It?
LitPads and other professional Mac audio applications do not include built-in virtual audio routing. This is standard across the industry because audio routing on macOS requires a kernel extension or system extension that most app developers do not bundle. BlackHole fills this gap as a dedicated, lightweight virtual audio driver. The custom soundboard app guide explains why external routing is the norm for professional Mac audio.
BlackHole is maintained as an open-source project and is free to download. The driver installs in under two minutes and requires no ongoing configuration after the initial setup.
How Do You Install BlackHole on Mac?
- Open Terminal Applications > Utilities > Terminal
- Run the Homebrew install command installs BlackHole 2ch as a system audio device
- Restart if prompted required on some macOS versions
- Verify in System Settings > Sound BlackHole 2ch appears in input and output lists
The Homebrew method is the simplest: open Terminal and run the install command for BlackHole 2ch. The installer adds BlackHole as a system audio device. A restart may be required on some macOS versions. After installation, BlackHole appears in System Settings under Sound and in any application's audio input/output device list.
The manual installer is available from the BlackHole GitHub releases page. Download the PKG file, run the installer, and follow the prompts. The installer requires administrator permissions because it installs a system-level audio driver.
How Do You Create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup?
Open Audio MIDI Setup from Applications, then Utilities, then Audio MIDI Setup. Click the plus button in the bottom left corner. Select "Create Multi-Output Device." Check the boxes for your headphones or speakers (the device you normally listen through) and BlackHole 2ch. Set your headphones or speakers as the master device by selecting the clock source.
Name the multi-output device something descriptive like "LitPads + Headphones." This device now appears in System Settings under Sound output and in LitPads' audio output settings.
A virtual audio cable for Mac covers alternative approaches to the same routing concept, including Loopback and other paid options.
How Do You Configure LitPads to Use BlackHole?
Open System Settings, then Sound, then Output. Select the multi-output device you created. LitPads and all other audio applications now output through this device. You hear the audio through your headphones, and BlackHole carries a copy to any application configured to use it as input.
The multi-output device on Mac covers advanced configuration options including sample rate matching and drift correction settings.
How Do You Set Up OBS to Receive BlackHole Audio?
Open OBS. In the Sources panel, click the plus button. Select "Audio Input Capture." Choose BlackHole 2ch as the device. The audio meter in the OBS mixer shows levels from LitPads when pads are triggered. Adjust the volume slider in OBS to balance soundboard audio against the microphone.
For streamers who also want their voice in the mix, add a separate "Audio Input Capture" source for the real microphone. OBS mixes both sources into the stream output. The soundboard software for Mac covers additional OBS integration tips for professional streaming setups.
How Do You Set Up Discord to Receive BlackHole Audio?
Disable Discord's "Noise Suppression" and "Echo Cancellation" when using soundboard audio. These filters are designed for voice and will remove sound effects.
Open Discord Settings, then Voice & Video. Under Input Device, select BlackHole 2ch. Disable "Automatically Determine Input Sensitivity" and set the sensitivity slider low enough to pass soundboard audio. Test by triggering a pad in LitPads and checking the input level indicator in Discord.
Discord's noise suppression and echo cancellation features may interfere with soundboard audio. Disable "Noise Suppression" and set "Echo Cancellation" to off or low if soundboard sounds are being filtered out. These filters are designed for voice, not music or sound effects.
What Are Common BlackHole Setup Issues?
Sample rate mismatch causes clicks, pops, or distorted audio. Open Audio MIDI Setup, select the multi-output device, and ensure all devices in the group are set to the same sample rate (44,100 Hz or 48,000 Hz). Enable "Drift Correction" for BlackHole to compensate for clock differences between devices.
The audio routing on Mac covers troubleshooting steps for every common routing issue, including permission problems on macOS Ventura and later.
Marcel Iseli is an indie developer, DJ, and music producer with over 20 years behind the decks and in the studio. Rooted in hip hop culture, he collects drum machines, samplers, and vintage audio gear. LitPads grew out of that obsession: decades of triggering samples on hardware led him to build the software equivalent he always wanted.