Frequently Asked Questions

MACA (Master Audio Control) is a macOS menu-bar app that gives every app its own volume, mute, output device, 10-band equalizer and audio profiles — plus a Focus Mode for calls and a local API. You control your whole Mac's sound from one place.

Download MACA from the Mac App Store and launch it. A short setup wizard walks you through the one audio permission it needs and, optionally, enabling launch at login. There's nothing else to configure to get started.

Only the audio permission for Apple's Core Audio Taps, which the setup wizard requests for you. MACA installs no kernel extensions, no audio drivers and nothing that runs deep in the system.

No. MACA requires macOS 15 (Sequoia) or newer and a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later). On an Intel Mac or an earlier macOS version, a tool like SoundSource is the better fit.

Per-app volume and mute, each app's output device (routing), a 10-band per-app equalizer, the audio normalizer, saved profiles, Focus Mode, the system master volume and default output — and, for automation, a local Control API.

Any app that produces audio on macOS. An app appears in the list the moment it plays sound; recently used apps also show up in the search field with a “Launch” button so you can pre-set them.

Yes. Currently playing apps are always listed, background and menu-bar apps included, and you can reveal system-level audio (calls, notifications, screen sharing) by enabling “Show System Processes” in Settings.

No. MACA is built entirely on Apple's native Core Audio APIs (Core Audio Taps). There are no kernel extensions, no virtual audio drivers to install and nothing injected into macOS.

Click the output-device icon on the app's row and choose a device. That app then plays through the selected output instead of the system default. Per-app routing is a Pro feature.

Yes. Each app can have its own output, and a single app can even play through up to four devices simultaneously (multi-room). This is part of Pro.

MACA's health monitor detects the change and cleans up automatically; the affected app falls back to the default output. Reconnect the device to route back to it.

The slider at the top of the popup sets the macOS system master volume from 0 to 100%, independent of the per-app levels below it — so you can ride the overall level without touching each app.

A profile is a saved snapshot of your whole audio setup — per-app volume, mute state, output device and EQ — that you switch to in a single click. Profiles are a Pro feature.

Pro gives you unlimited profiles, each with its own name and icon. Create as many as you like for different modes — editing, recording, meetings, gaming.

Yes. A profile stores each app's EQ alongside its volume, mute and output device, so switching profiles recalls the complete sound, EQ included.

Yes. In Settings › Profiles you can create, rename, edit, reorder and delete profiles at any time, and turn on Auto-Save so changes are written back to the active profile automatically.

Yes — a 10-band graphic equalizer per app, from 31 Hz to 16 kHz, each band adjustable from −12 dB to +12 dB. Open it from the EQ button on any app row. The per-app EQ is a Pro feature.

Shape each app's tone independently, pick from 26 built-in presets or your own custom profiles, copy and paste EQ settings between apps, and save an EQ into a profile.

Yes. The EQ window shows the curve you're editing, and the menu-bar Level Meter icon style displays live output levels with clipping detection.

A Pro feature that automatically balances loudness across apps so none is much louder or quieter than the rest. It targets a consistent −16 LUFS and shows a small indicator while it's actively adjusting.

Per-app volume and mute for all your apps with no limit, the system master volume and default-output switcher, custom keyboard shortcuts, Focus Mode and the animated menu-bar icon — no account and no cloud.

No. Volume and mute work for every app for free — the old 3-app limit was removed in version 1.2. Only the studio tools (routing, EQ, normalizer, profiles, API) are reserved for Pro.

Per-app audio routing (up to four devices per app), the 10-band per-app equalizer, the audio normalizer, unlimited profiles and the local Control API.

Pro is $2.99/month, $19.99/year, or $39.99 once as a Lifetime purchase. Fair regional pricing (PPP) applies across all 175 App Store regions, so you'll see the right price for your country.

Yes. Pro is tied to your Apple ID and can be restored through the App Store on any Mac signed in with the same ID — no extra charge.

Make sure the audio permission (Core Audio Taps) is granted — reopen the setup wizard via Settings › General › “Show welcome screen again” and allow access. Only apps currently producing audio are listed; use the search field to launch others.

A device disconnect or a competing audio app can reset routing. Check Settings › System for competing apps, then re-select the output on the app's row.

The meter pauses while the display is asleep. Otherwise, check that the app isn't muted and that MACA is controlling it — a green dot on the row means it's active.

Re-record them in Settings › Shortcuts and click elsewhere to confirm; use “Reset to Defaults” if needed. Global shortcuts require MACA to be running.

Yes. USB interfaces, HDMI outputs, Bluetooth headphones and AirPlay devices all appear as routing targets and as secondary devices you can balance individually.

Email support@getmaca.de or join the Discord community. MACA also keeps a Repair History in Settings › System that's useful when reporting audio issues.