SoundDial blog
Guides for Mac audio and comparisons of Mac volume mixer apps.
- AirPods Stuck at Half Volume on Mac? Here's the FixAirPods at half volume on your Mac usually means they switched to hands-free (headset) mode for the mic. Change the input, re-pair, and boost the level.
- AirPods Stuttering or Cutting Out on Mac (Tahoe Fix)AirPods stuttering or dropping audio on macOS Tahoe is usually Bluetooth interference or auto-switching. Re-pair, cut 2.4GHz congestion, stop hand-offs.
- AirPods Volume Too Low on Mac? Make Them LouderHow to make AirPods louder on a Mac: every cause, from headphone safety limits to Bluetooth quirks, and how to fix each one. Find your fix here.
- Amplify Quiet Videos and Podcasts on Your MacQuiet YouTube videos, podcasts and lectures at 100% volume? Boost one app past its max on macOS with SoundDial, up to 200%. Here's how.
- Set App Volume Like Windows Does on Your MacWindows has a per-app volume mixer and macOS does not. Here's how to set an independent volume for every app on your Mac. See how it works.
- Apple Music Volume Too Low on Mac? Fix and Boost ItApple Music at max volume but still too quiet on your Mac? Check Sound Check and the Music app's sound settings, then boost Apple Music past 100%.
- Simpler Audio Hijack Alternative for Per-App VolumeOnly need independent volume per app, not recording? Audio Hijack may be more than you need. Here's a simple menu-bar option for per-app volume and mute.
- How to Automatically Lower Music During Zoom Calls on MacEvery time a Zoom call starts, you scramble to pause Spotify. macOS can't lower music for calls on its own; here is how auto-ducking does it, and its limits.
- Background Music Alternative for Mac (2026)Background Music is a free, open-source app. If you want a Mac App Store option with per-app volume, mute and boost, here is a fair way to choose one.
- Background Music App Not Working on macOS? FixesBackground Music not working on your Mac? Get your sound back, try a clean reinstall and restart Core Audio, or switch to a per-app volume mixer instead.
- Background Music vs SoundDial: Mac Volume MixerBackground Music is free and open source; SoundDial is a one-time Mac App Store purchase. A fair look at how to choose a per-app volume mixer for your Mac.
- Music vs Voice Chat Volume on Mac: Set Each LevelMusic too loud over Discord, or the call too quiet under Spotify? macOS has one volume for both. Here is how to set music and voice chat at separate levels.
- Best Volume Mixer Apps for Mac in 2026A no-nonsense look at Mac apps that give you per-app volume control: what they do, what they cost, and how to pick one.
- Bluetooth Headphones Too Quiet on Mac? Every FixBluetooth headphones fine on your phone but quiet or muffled on Mac? Here is every cause, from codec issues to volume limits, and how to fix it.
- Boom 2 Alternative for Mac: Per-App Volume ControlLooking for a Boom 2 alternative because you really want per-app volume? Here's what macOS offers, what a per-app mixer does, and how to choose.
- Boom 3D Alternative: Per-App Volume Control on MacLooked at Boom 3D just to make one quiet app louder? Here's how to boost or lower each app on its own on your Mac, with built-in steps first.
- How to Boost Mac Volume Beyond 100%Mac at full volume and still too quiet? Learn why and how to amplify audio up to 200% per app without external speakers. See how it works.
- How to Boost a Quiet App on Mac Past Max VolumeOne app too quiet even at 100%? Check the app and macOS settings, then boost just that app past its max on Mac, up to 200%, with SoundDial. See the fix.
- Cap the Maximum Volume of One Loud App on MacmacOS has no per-app volume cap, so one loud app can blast at full system volume. Set a volume ceiling for a single app with a per-app mixer. See how.
- A Cheaper SoundSource Alternative for Per-App Volume on MacWant SoundSource-style per-app volume for less? SoundDial is a one-time Mac App Store menu-bar mixer with per-app volume, mute and boost. See details.
- Cheapest Volume Mixer for Mac in 2026: Price ComparedLooking for the cheapest per-app volume mixer for Mac in 2026? The free open-source option, the paid ones, and how to choose what you actually need.
- Chrome Too Loud on Mac? Turn Down Just One BrowserChrome louder than your other apps on Mac? Try the built-in fixes (tab mute, site sound settings, player volume), then set a separate volume for Chrome.
- Control Individual Browser Tab Volume on Mac?One loud tab, one quiet video: can you set volume per tab on macOS? Here is what is actually possible, what is not, and the closest options.
- Control DAW Volume Separately From System Audio on MacYour DAW and system sounds share one level on macOS. Control Logic, Ableton or GarageBand volume apart from your browser and notifications. See how.
- How to Control Notification Sound Volume on MacMac notification sounds play as loud as everything else, or not at all. Here's how to lower alert volume and quiet noisy apps without silencing your music.
- Different Volume for Speakers vs Headphones on MacmacOS forgets your app volume mix when you switch between speakers and headphones. Here is why, what macOS does remember, and how per-app volume helps.
- How to Disable Audio Ducking on Mac, or Control ItSomething keeps lowering your music during calls without asking. Here's where unwanted audio ducking on Mac comes from, how to stop it, and how to set the levels yourself.
- Discord Volume Too Loud or Quiet on Mac? How to FixDiscord blasting over your game, or too quiet to hear teammates? Control Discord's volume independently from everything else on macOS. See how.
- eqMac Alternative for Per-App Volume on MacLooking at eqMac but really want separate volume, mute and boost for each app on your Mac? Here's what macOS can do, and a €14.99 one-time purchase menu-bar option.
- External Monitor Speakers Too Loud or Stuck on MacMac volume keys often do not control HDMI or DisplayPort monitor speakers. Fix too-loud or stuck audio with the monitor OSD and Audio MIDI Setup.
- FaceTime Volume Too Low on Mac? Why and How to FixWhy is your FaceTime volume so low? FaceTime audio is barely audible even at full volume. Here are the fixes, including boosting past 100%.
- FineTune Alternative for Mac: Per-App Volume MixerFound FineTune on GitHub and want a Mac App Store option for per-app volume instead? Here's what SoundDial does and how to decide which one suits you.
- FineTune vs SoundDial: Per-App Volume on MacFineTune is a per-app audio project many people find on GitHub. SoundDial is a Mac App Store app with per-app volume, mute and boost. How to choose.
- Fix Audio Crackling and Popping on Mac: Full GuideMac audio crackling, popping or stuttering during music, calls or video? Here are the known causes and fixes for macOS audio glitches. Start here.
- Free Volume Mixer for Mac: What You Actually GetIs there a free volume mixer for Mac? macOS has none built in. Here is the free open-source option, the paid ones, and how to choose between them.
- Game Louder Than Discord on Mac? How to Fix ItYour game drowns out Discord voice chat and macOS has no built-in mixer. Here is why, and how to turn the game down while keeping voice up.
- Google Meet Volume Too Low on Mac? How to Fix ItVoices on Google Meet barely audible at max volume? Learn why Meet runs through your browser, what it means for audio and how to boost it. See the fix.
- How to Control Per-App Volume on MacmacOS gives you one volume slider for everything. Here is how to get an individual volume control for every app, and why it matters. See how.
- How to Mute an App on Mac Without Muting EverythingSlack is pinging while you are on a call. macOS does not let you mute just one app natively. Here's how to mute one app and keep the rest playing.
- Is SoundSource Worth the Price? A One-Time AlternativeSoundSource is a broad Mac audio tool at $49. If you only need per-app volume, mute and boost, here is a one-time alternative to consider.
- Lower Spotify Without Lowering Everything Else on MacTurning Spotify down with the volume keys also quiets your call and everything else. Set Spotify as quiet background music with per-app volume. Here's how.
- Set Mac Alert Volume Separate From Media VolumemacOS has an alert volume slider, but it only covers system sounds. Here is how to separate notification and media volume on your Mac. See how.
- Automatic Audio Ducking on Mac: Lower Music During CallsmacOS has no general audio ducking. Here is what ducking is, what your Mac does on its own, and how to lower other apps automatically while you are on a call.
- Mac Audio for DJing: Monitor and Output SeparatelyCueing in headphones while the crowd hears the mix is a job for your DJ software and audio hardware. Here's how, plus how to keep other Mac apps quiet.
- Mac Audio for Gaming: Game, Voice Chat and MusicGame audio, Discord voice chat and music share one Mac volume slider. Give each its own level with per-app volume. See how to set it up.
- Mac Audio for Language Learning: Anki, Podcasts, VideoFlashcard audio, podcasts and video lessons all fight for one Mac volume. Give each app its own level and boost quiet clips. See how to set it up.
- Mac Audio for Meditation and Focus: One App OnlyKeep notifications and other audio from breaking your calm. Play your meditation or ambient app and mute every other app on your Mac. See the setup.
- Mac Audio for Online Music Lessons: DAW and CallsHear your student or teacher clearly while a DAW, metronome and backing tracks play. Give each Mac app its own volume instead of one shared slider.
- Mac Audio for Online Therapy: Privacy, No InterruptionsA therapy session needs audio privacy and no pings. Keep Slack and notification chimes out of the call with Focus and per-app mute. See the setup.
- Mac Audio for Twitch Streaming: Game, Alerts, MusicStreaming on Twitch from a Mac means game audio, alerts, music and chat all compete. How to set each level in OBS and in your apps, and what you hear.
- Mac Audio for Video Editing: Premiere and DaVinciTimeline preview, reference clips and chat apps all share one Mac volume. Quiet the distractions and keep your editing audio clear with per-app volume.
- Mac Audio for Music Production: DAW and Voice ChatUsing Logic Pro or Ableton on a Discord call? Keep your DAW at a steady level while voice chat, reference tracks and the browser stay where you want them.
- Mac Audio for OBS and Streaming: Set Your LevelsStreaming on Mac with OBS? Game, music, alerts and Discord all compete. How to set each audio source's level in OBS and what you hear on your Mac.
- Mac Audio Setup for Online Classes and LecturesWatching a lecture while taking notes, searching references and chatting with classmates. Here is how to manage each app's volume on Mac.
- Mac Audio for Podcasting: Control What You HearRecording a podcast while hearing your guest, monitoring your own audio and keeping notifications silent on one volume slider? Here is a cleaner Mac setup.
- Mac Audio Setup for Remote Work: Complete GuideCalls, music, notifications and focus time on one Mac. Here is how to set up your audio so nothing fights for your attention. Start with this guide.
- Mac Notification Sounds Too Loud in Headphones? FixSlack pings and macOS alerts blast in your headphones while music sounds fine. Learn why notification volume differs and how to tame it. See the fix.
- Right Speaker Dead on Mac After Tahoe? How to Fix ItOne speaker or channel dead after the macOS Tahoe update? Center the left/right slider, restart Core Audio, try safe mode and rule out hardware. See the steps.
- Mac Sound Not Working After Update? Complete FixUpdated macOS and now the sound is gone, crackling or at the wrong volume? Here is every fix to get your Mac audio working again. Start here.
- Mac Startup Sound Too Loud? Disable or Lower ItThe Mac startup chime blasts at full volume on every restart, awkward in meetings and quiet rooms. Here is how to silence or control it.
- Mac So Loud at Full Volume? Get Finer Volume ControlIf even moderate volume settings feel too loud on your Mac, here is how to get more precise audio control. Read the options for finer levels.
- Listen to Two Things at Once on Mac at Different VolumesMusic and a podcast, a lecture and a video, a call and background music. macOS gives both one volume. Here is how to set a separate level for each one.
- Mac Volume Control: The Complete Guide (2026)Everything about controlling Mac audio: volume keys and key combinations, output devices, alert sounds, headphone settings and per-app volume in one guide.
- Mac Volume Keeps Changing by Itself: How to Fix ItYour Mac's volume jumps up, drops or resets on its own. Here is every known cause and how to stop it. Find the one that matches your Mac.
- Mac Volume Keyboard Shortcuts You Probably Don't KnowBeyond the basic volume keys: quarter-step volume, silent changes, jumping to Sound settings and switching outputs fast. Every built-in Mac audio key trick.
- Mac Volume Profiles: Switch Between Work and Home Audio SetupYour app volumes at work differ from your evening mix at home. macOS can't save either; here is how to build a work and a home profile and switch in one click.
- Mac Volume Resets After Sleep? Keep Audio SettingsEvery time your Mac wakes from sleep the volume is wrong: max, zero or on the wrong output. Here is why it happens and how to fix it.
- Mac Volume Resetting Itself on Tahoe? How to Stop ItMac volume changing or resetting on its own on macOS Tahoe? Find the usual causes, from Bluetooth to output switching, and fix each one step by step.
- Mac Volume Too Loud at Lowest Setting? Go QuieterEven at the lowest notch your Mac is too loud, especially at night with headphones. Get finer volume control and go below the minimum. See how.
- Mac Volume Too Quiet Even at Max? Boost Past 100%A quiet app at full Mac volume is usually not a speaker problem: macOS cannot lift one app above its own level. Here's what to check and how to boost it.
- Fix Audio Crackling and Popping on macOS TahoeCrackling or popping audio after updating to macOS Tahoe? Restart, reset Core Audio, check the audio format in Audio MIDI Setup and re-pair Bluetooth.
- Does macOS Tahoe Have Per-App Volume Control?Does macOS Tahoe 26 add a volume mixer? No: there is still one output volume for every app. Here is what you can do natively and how to get per-app volume.
- Make Your Mac Louder for Hard-of-Hearing ListeningStruggling to hear your Mac even at max volume? Start with the built-in accessibility settings, then boost one quiet app up to 200%. Here is how.
- Does Your Mac Remember Volume Per App?macOS doesn't save a volume level for each app. Here is where per-app levels do stick (inside the apps themselves) and how to set each app's level by hand.
- Make One App Quieter Than the Rest on MacOne loud app drowning out the others on your Mac? Turn down a single app without touching the rest. Here's the quickest way to do it.
- How to Mute an App on Mac, or Mute All at OnceThe mute key silences everything at once. Here is how to mute all apps on Mac in one press, how to mute just one app, and how to bring the sound back.
- How to Mute Everything Except One App on Your MacmacOS has no per-app volume mixer, so silencing all apps but one takes a helper. Hear only your call, stream or game while the rest stay muted. See how.
- Mute Slack on Mac Without Muting Everything ElseSlack notifications keep breaking your focus, but you want music and calls to keep playing. Here is how to mute just Slack on macOS. See the steps.
- Netflix and Streaming Audio Too Quiet on Mac? How to Fix ItDialogue whisper-quiet, then an explosion shakes the room. Fix streaming audio levels on Mac and boost quiet content past 100%. See how it works.
- One AirPod Louder Than the Other? Every FixOne AirPod quieter than the other? Causes range from earwax to a macOS left-right audio setting. Here is how to fix each one, step by step.
- Per-App Volume Control on Mac: Your Options in 2026macOS still has no built-in volume mixer in 2026. Here are the main ways to set app volume independently on a Mac: built-in, free and paid options.
- Play Music on Speakers and Calls on Headphones (Mac)Want music on your desk speakers and Zoom in your AirPods at once? Set the Mac output to the speakers and pick the headphones inside the call app. Here's how.
- Podcast Volume Too Low on Mac? Make It LouderSome podcasts are whisper-quiet on Mac even at max volume. Here is why, and how to boost your podcast app past 100% without making other apps louder.
- How to Separate Game Audio From Discord on MacGame explosions drowning out teammates on Discord? Control game audio and voice chat volume independently on macOS. Here's how it works.
- New Mac Apps Too Loud? How to Tame ThemNew apps play at your full system volume, and macOS has no per-app default. Here is how to keep a new app from blasting you, and how to tame it fast.
- Set a Different Volume for Each App on MacmacOS has no built-in per-app volume mixer. Here's how to give each app its own volume on a Mac, with each app's own settings or a menu-bar mixer.
- Slack Huddle Volume Issues on Mac: Too Quiet or LoudSlack huddles compete with your music and notifications for one volume. Control huddle audio independently from everything else on Mac. See how.
- Sound Control Alternative: Per-App Volume on MacLooking for a Sound Control alternative on Mac? What to check before you switch, and a simple menu-bar mixer for per-app volume, mute and boost.
- SoundBunny Alternative: Per-App Volume Mixer for MacIf SoundBunny no longer does what you need, here's a per-app volume mixer for current macOS, what macOS offers on its own, and how to switch over.
- SoundSource Alternative: Per-App Volume for MacSoundSource is a broad audio tool at $49. If you just need per-app volume and mute on your Mac, here's a smaller option.
- SoundSource vs SoundDial: Per-App Volume on MacSoundSource vs SoundDial on Mac: what each costs, where you buy it, and which fits if you mainly need per-app volume, mute and boost. Compare before you buy.
- Spotify Volume Too Low on Mac? Every Fix ExplainedSpotify at max but still quiet on your Mac? Every cause, from Spotify's volume normalization to macOS settings, plus how to boost it past 100%. See the fixes.
- Stop Browser Tabs From Auto-Playing Audio on MacA background tab starts playing audio out of nowhere. Learn how to silence rogue tabs and control browser audio on macOS. See the quick fixes.
- Stop Zoom From Lowering Your Music on MacWhen you join a Zoom call, your music drops or disappears. Here is why it happens, how to turn it off, and how to set your music level yourself during calls.
- Mac Audio Mixer for Streamers: Mic, Game, MusicStreaming on a Mac means juggling mic, game, music and alerts with one volume slider. Here is how to set each level: in OBS, in the apps, and per app.
- Switch Audio Output Quickly on Mac, Skip the SettingsSwitching between speakers, headphones and monitors takes too many clicks. Here are faster ways to change your Mac audio output device. See the options.
- Microsoft Teams Volume Too Low on Mac? Fixes That WorkBarely hear people on Teams even at max volume? Every cause, from Teams settings to Bluetooth codecs, and how to boost call audio past 100%. See the fixes.
- Virtual Audio Drivers vs SoundDial for Mac VolumeVirtual audio devices and per-app volume mixers both come up when you search for Mac app volume, but they do different jobs. Here's which one you need.
- VLC Volume Too Low on Mac? Boost It Past 100%VLC at max and a video is still too quiet? VLC's own volume slider can go above 100%, and a per-app volume mixer can boost VLC alone. See both options.
- Volume Mixer for Mac: What macOS Still Doesn't HavemacOS still has no built-in volume mixer. Here's what a mixer does, why the native workarounds fall short, and how to get per-app volume control on your Mac.
- How to Set Up Volume Profiles for Different Situations on MacDifferent app volumes for meetings, focus work, gaming and relaxing, switched with one click. macOS can't save them; here is how volume profiles work instead.
- Watch Movies on Mac Late at Night Without Waking AnyoneDialogue inaudible, then explosions shake the walls? Tame movie audio for late-night watching on Mac without missing a word. See the setup.
- Cisco Webex Volume Too Low on Mac? How to Fix ItWebex calls barely audible on your Mac? Here is every fix, from Webex audio settings to boosting call volume past 100% with a per-app mixer.
- WhatsApp and Telegram Notification Sounds Too Loud on MacFix loud WhatsApp and Telegram desktop notification sounds. Start with each app's settings, then lower or mute the whole app. See the steps.
- Why Some Apps Are Louder Than Others on MacEach app is mastered to its own loudness target and macOS has no built-in per-app volume control. Here is why apps differ and how to even them out.
- Why Doesn't Mac Have a Volume Mixer Like Windows?Windows has a built-in volume mixer and macOS still has one slider for everything. Here is the likely reason, and how to get a mixer on your Mac anyway.
- Windows Volume Mixer for Mac: Per-App Volume ControlMissing the Windows Volume Mixer? macOS has no built-in per-app volume control. Here are the native workarounds and a menu-bar app that adds it.
- YouTube Too Quiet in Safari or Chrome on Mac? FixSome YouTube videos are barely audible at max volume. Here's why some videos are quieter than others and how to boost your browser past 100% on Mac.
- Zoom Call Volume Too Low on Mac? How to Boost ItBarely hear people on Zoom at max volume? Here is every fix, from Zoom settings to boosting call audio past 100% with a per-app volume mixer.