LitPads Setup Guide for Mac — Every Recording, Streaming & Performance Configuration

What Setup Do I Need?

LitPads works two ways on Mac. For just playing sounds out loud (parties, presentations, live performance) pick a physical output device and you're done. For recording, streaming, or sending sounds into a call you also need LitLink (free virtual audio driver) configured to expose a "LitLink + Speakers" multi-output device. The matrix below shows every working setup so you can find yours and copy the exact configuration.

This guide is the canonical reference for LitPads audio configuration on macOS. Each row in the matrix is a complete setup that has been tested end-to-end. The expanded sections below the matrix walk through each one in detail. The footguns section at the bottom lists configurations that look reasonable but silently fail — read it before troubleshooting.

The LitPads Setup Matrix

For each use case, configure LitLink (or skip it), pick the right LitPads output device, and configure your recording or call app's audio input. Hear ✓ means audio plays through your speakers. Record ✓ means audio is captured by the recording or streaming app.

Sensible Setups (Free LitPads + LitLink unless noted)

Use case	LitLink	LitPads output	Recorder / call app	Result
Just play sounds out loud (parties, presentations, casual)	Not needed	MacBook Pro Speakers (or USB DAC, AirPods, etc.)	n/a	Hear ✓
Record sounds while hearing them (the "main" recording use case)	System Audio Passthrough ON	LitLink + Speakers	Input → LitLink Audio Bridge	Hear ✓ Record ✓
Stream to Twitch / YouTube with OBS	System Audio Passthrough ON	LitLink + Speakers	OBS → Audio Input Capture → LitLink Audio Bridge (sounds), separate source for your mic	Hear ✓ Stream ✓ Voice + sounds mixed in OBS
Record sounds silently (late night, automated capture)	Passthrough OFF	LitLink Audio Bridge (direct)	Input → LitLink Audio Bridge	Silent ✓ Record ✓
Podcast: voice + intro/outro sounds in one recording	System Audio Passthrough ON + Mic Passthrough ON	LitLink + Speakers	DAW input → LitLink Audio Bridge	Hear sounds ✓ Voice + sounds captured in one stream ✓
Discord / Zoom call with soundboard sound effects	System Audio Passthrough ON (+ Mic Passthrough ON for voice mixing)	LitLink + Speakers	Discord / Zoom mic input → LitLink Audio Bridge	You hear sounds ✓ Other participants hear them too ✓
Live show / DJ set / theatre (sounds to PA, no recording)	Passthrough OFF	Stage output (USB DAC, audio interface)	n/a	Hear ✓ Clean signal, no virtual routing overhead
Record into a DAW for editing (Logic, Ableton, Reaper)	Passthrough OFF	LitLink Audio Bridge (direct, lower latency)	DAW audio input → LitLink Audio Bridge	Mute / solo / monitor with the DAW; record clean stems

Pro-Only Setups (LitLink Pro and / or LitPads Pro)

Use case	Configuration	Notes
Multi-track recording: separate buses per source	LitLink Pro per-app routing + LitPads Pro shows individual buses → pick LitLink Audio Bridge 2 (or 3 / 4)	Isolates LitPads on its own bus while other apps go elsewhere. Useful for multi-track post-production in OBS or a DAW.
Per-app volume control with soundboard	LitLink Pro per-app routing → adjust LitPads's independent volume. LitPads stays on LitLink + Speakers.	Turn down sound effects without touching system volume or other apps.

Setup 1 — Just Play Sounds Out Loud

For parties, presentations, classroom use, or any "press a key, sound plays through speakers" scenario you do not need any virtual audio driver. Open LitPads Settings → Audio Output and pick your speakers, USB audio interface, or AirPods. Trigger pads. Done.

Open LitPads → Settings → Audio Output
Pick your physical output device (MacBook Pro Speakers, USB audio interface, AirPods, etc.) this is the device the audio plays through
Optionally configure global hotkeys for keyboard triggering see soundboard hotkeys setup

This is the simplest LitPads setup. No installations beyond LitPads itself. No audio routing concepts to learn. The sounds just play.

Setup 2 — Record Sounds While Hearing Them (the main one)

This is the configuration almost everyone wants when they install LitPads alongside LitLink. Sounds play through your speakers AND are captured by your recording app at the same time. Three pieces: enable System Audio Passthrough in LitLink, set LitPads output to "LitLink + Speakers", set your recording app input to "LitLink Audio Bridge".

Install LitLink if you haven't already free, signed and notarized by Apple, ~280 KB
Open LitLink → toggle System Audio Passthrough ON this creates the "LitLink + Speakers" multi-output device automatically
Open LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → pick LitLink + Speakers now LitPads sends audio to both your speakers and the LitLink Audio Bridge
Open your recording app — QuickTime, OBS, ScreenFlow, Loom, Audacity, or any other
Find that app's audio input / microphone setting usually in a dropdown next to the record button or in the app's preferences
Set the input to LitLink Audio Bridge this is the virtual mic that LitLink exposes
Hit record — sounds play through speakers, get captured in the recording

Works identically in QuickTime, OBS, ScreenFlow, Loom, Audacity, Zoom recordings, Discord call recordings, and any app that lets you choose an audio input device.

Setup 3 — Stream to Twitch / YouTube with OBS

For live streaming, route LitPads sounds and your microphone as separate audio sources in OBS. Enable LitLink System Audio Passthrough, set LitPads output to "LitLink + Speakers", then in OBS add an Audio Input Capture source pointing at "LitLink Audio Bridge" for the soundboard and a separate source for your microphone. OBS mixes them into the stream.

Enable System Audio Passthrough in LitLink
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → LitLink + Speakers
OBS → Sources → + → Audio Input Capture → device: LitLink Audio Bridge this captures your soundboard audio
OBS → Sources → + → Audio Input Capture → device: your microphone captures your voice as a separate source so you can mix independently
Adjust per-source volume in the OBS Audio Mixer panel balance soundboard against voice and game audio

The detailed OBS-specific guide lives at soundboard for OBS setup, which covers OBS-specific quirks like applying audio filters, scene-specific audio configurations, and integrating with hotkeys.

Setup 4 — Record Sounds Silently

For late-night recording, automated capture, or any scenario where you do not want to hear the sounds yourself, send LitPads directly to LitLink Audio Bridge (skipping the multi-output device). Audio is captured by your recording app but never reaches the speakers.

LitLink System Audio Passthrough can stay OFF for this setup simpler and avoids contention
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → LitLink Audio Bridge (direct) requires LitPads Pro for individual bus selection
Recording app input → LitLink Audio Bridge
Hit record — silent on your end, captured in the file

This is the right setup for headless capture, scripted automation, or recording while everyone else in the house is asleep.

Setup 5 — Podcast: Voice + Intro/Outro Sounds in One Recording

Mix your voice and LitPads sounds into a single recorded stream by enabling both LitLink System Audio Passthrough and LitLink Mic Passthrough. The DAW or recorder captures everything from one input — LitLink Audio Bridge — including microphone, soundboard hits, and any other system audio.

LitLink → enable System Audio Passthrough routes LitPads audio into the bridge
LitLink → enable Mic Passthrough routes your real microphone into the bridge too, so it mixes with sound effects
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → LitLink + Speakers
Open your DAW (Logic, GarageBand, Reaper) or recorder (Audacity, QuickTime)
Set the input to LitLink Audio Bridge captures voice + sounds in one mixed track
Use headphones if mic feedback is a concern headphones won't leak the soundboard audio back into your mic

For separate voice and soundboard tracks (so you can edit them independently in post), use the OBS-style multi-source approach instead.

Setup 6 — Discord / Zoom Calls with Soundboard Sound Effects

Make sound effects audible to other participants on a voice call by routing LitPads audio into the call app's microphone input. Enable LitLink System Audio Passthrough, set LitPads output to "LitLink + Speakers", and in Discord or Zoom audio settings set the microphone input to "LitLink Audio Bridge".

LitLink → enable System Audio Passthrough
LitLink → enable Mic Passthrough if you want your voice and sounds to both reach call participants
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → LitLink + Speakers
Discord / Zoom → audio settings → input device → LitLink Audio Bridge
Speak / trigger sounds — call participants hear both your voice (via Mic Passthrough) and any LitPads pad you fire

Detailed per-app guides live at soundboard for Discord on Mac and soundboard for Zoom, including muting strategies, push-to-talk integration, and channel-specific audio configurations.

Setup 7 — Live Show / DJ Set / Theatre

For live performance routing sounds to a PA system or front-of-house, skip LitLink entirely. LitPads outputs directly to your USB audio interface, mixer, or stage output. Lowest latency, simplest signal chain, no virtual routing overhead.

LitLink can stay OFF (or uninstalled) not needed for live PA output
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → your USB audio interface, MOTU, RME, audio I/O box, or stage mixer
Configure global hotkeys for foot pedals or keyboard triggers see soundboard hotkeys setup and the theatre soundboard guide

Live performance benefits from skipping the multi-output device because every layer of routing adds latency. A direct audio interface output stays under ~10 ms typically, while a multi-output device through LitLink + audio interface can add another 5–10 ms on top of that.

Setup 8 — Record into a DAW for Editing

When you're recording sounds into a DAW (Logic, Ableton, Reaper, Pro Tools) for later editing, send LitPads directly to LitLink Audio Bridge with passthrough OFF. The DAW reads the bridge as an input device, monitors with its own mixer, and you get clean stems without any speaker monitoring overhead.

LitLink System Audio Passthrough OFF avoid the multi-output device — DAW handles monitoring itself
LitPads → Settings → Audio Output → LitLink Audio Bridge (direct) requires LitPads Pro for individual bus selection
DAW → audio preferences → input device → LitLink Audio Bridge
Use the DAW's monitoring controls (mute / solo / direct monitoring) to hear the recording

This is the cleanest signal chain for serious audio production. The DAW owns the routing and monitoring; LitPads just provides the source. Latency is minimal because there is no aggregate device between LitPads and the bridge.

Setups That Don't Work (Common Footguns)

Three configurations look reasonable but silently fail. They're documented here so you can avoid them and recognize them quickly when troubleshooting.

LitPads → "System Default" (with anything) removed in LitPads 1.1.2 because AVAudioEngine on macOS does not gracefully follow system default device changes — particularly when the system default becomes a multi-output aggregate
LitPads → MacBook Pro Speakers + recording app input → LitLink Audio Bridge sounds play through speakers (you hear them) but never reach the bridge — the recording is silent
LitPads → LitLink Audio Bridge (direct) + LitLink System Audio Passthrough ON two separate IO paths writing to the same virtual device, causes device ID bouncing, -10877 errors, buffer size conflicts

Quick Mental Rules

Internalize these four rules and you'll never need to look at the matrix again. They cover essentially every working setup.

"Hear AND record" = LitLink + Speakers covers ~80% of streaming and recording cases
"Just hear" = pick your physical output device speakers, USB DAC, AirPods, audio interface
"Just record" = LitLink Audio Bridge directly rare; LitPads Pro only for individual bus selection
Recording app input is always "LitLink Audio Bridge" never speakers as input, never the bridge as output for a recording app — they're asymmetric

Related Guides

LitLink — Free Virtual Audio Cable for Mac the companion virtual audio driver this guide refers to throughout
Soundboard for OBS Setup OBS-specific deep dive
Soundboard for Discord on Mac
Soundboard for Zoom
Soundboard for Podcasting
Soundboard for Content Creators
Soundboard for Musicians
Soundboard for Live Performance
Soundboard Hotkeys Setup configure global keyboard triggers
Audio Routing on Mac conceptual reference: virtual devices, aggregates, system audio
Multi-Output Device on Mac how the "LitLink + Speakers" device works under the hood

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need LitLink to use LitPads?

No. LitLink is only required if you want to record or stream LitPads audio (so the audio reaches OBS, QuickTime, Discord, etc. while you also hear it). For just playing sounds out loud through speakers — parties, presentations, live performance — LitPads works fine on its own without any virtual audio driver.

What is the difference between LitLink + Speakers and LitLink Audio Bridge?

"LitLink + Speakers" is a multi-output device that sends audio to both your physical speakers AND the LitLink Audio Bridge at the same time. You hear the sound and a recording app captures it. "LitLink Audio Bridge" is the virtual microphone alone — audio sent to it is captured by recording apps but you do not hear it through speakers. For most recording use cases, pick LitLink + Speakers.

Why was the System Default option removed from LitPads?

AVAudioEngine on macOS binds to a specific output device when audio playback starts and does not gracefully follow system default device changes — particularly when the system default becomes a multi-output device. The old System Default option silently stopped working in those cases. LitPads now requires picking an explicit device, which matches how Logic, Audacity, and Pro Tools handle output.

How do I record LitPads sounds while still hearing them through my speakers?

Install LitLink (free), enable System Audio Passthrough in the LitLink app, then in LitPads Settings → Audio Output pick "LitLink + Speakers". Open your recording app (QuickTime, OBS, ScreenFlow, Audacity, etc.) and set its audio input to "LitLink Audio Bridge". Hit record. Audio plays through speakers and is captured at the same time.

Can I use LitPads with Discord or Zoom so other participants hear my sounds?

Yes. Install LitLink, enable System Audio Passthrough, set LitPads output to "LitLink + Speakers". In Discord or Zoom audio settings, set the input device to "LitLink Audio Bridge". Other participants will hear LitPads sounds. You may also want to enable LitLink Mic Passthrough so your voice mixes with LitPads audio in the same input stream.

Why don't I see individual LitLink Audio Bridge buses in the LitPads picker?

The four LitLink buses are advanced routing devices intended for multi-track recording and per-bus separation workflows. LitPads Pro shows them in the Output Device picker. Free LitPads shows only the user-facing "LitLink + Speakers" multi-output device, which covers the vast majority of recording use cases.

Marcel Iseli

Indie Developer · DJ · Producer

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.