Hi all,
I'm trying to adjust the volume of my USB mixer in macOS 15.1 on my M4 Mac mini. Unfortunately, macOS doesn't have a software volume control for input, and it's very quiet by default. I've tried using Loopback and SoundSource, but they don't let me boost the volume. I can increase the microphone gain in applications that have a slider to do so or by using the knobs on the device, but this isn't ideal. If I use the physical controls, the audio becomes so loud I can hear the microphone very clearly and painfully through my headphones connected to the line out jack. In Windows, I can overcome this problem by adjusting the volume in sound settings. Is there a workaround to do the same in software in macOS?
Comments
Audio and Midi Setup?
Can't you set volumes in applications/utilities/Audio and Midi Setup?
Aggregate Device
I tried creating an aggregate device with my mixer as the only input device, but I still can't adjust the input volume of that device in System Settings. Is there something I'm missing? I'm not very familiar with Audio MIDI Setup, so it's very possible I'm missing a crucial step somewhere.
FN
fn and f2 to dawn vol, fn and f3 to ap vol
FN
I don't have an FN key. I'm using a Windows USB desktop keyboard. I thought F1 and F2 were for brightness control? I'm confused.
Possible things to try
I don’t have an audio mixer, but for me for my MacBook speakers and external headphones, under the output section in system settings sound preferences, at the very bottom near the Help button is an output volume slider that you can adjust. If this isn’t there, I would recommend a program called audio hijack. It is kind of expensive though, but if you get it, you can do stuff like boost the volume of your Mac, as well as other things.
Also, VO plus minus and equals will raise and lowe the volume of your system default audio device, which you could set to your mixer.
Input, not output
I'm talking about input volume, not output. I can adjust the output volume just fine in software, but not input. Does Audio Hijack have the ability to boost input, not output volume?
I believe it does.
I believe it does. I don't know if this would work, but what if you added two of the same source (your input device) in loopback? In theory, this would increase the volume by 6db and make it twice as loud. Just something fun for you to try. This may work. Worst come to worst, there would be two of the same sound slightly delayed, and then you'd know that didn't work. If what I am thinking is correct, you should be able to add your input device as a source and add it again.
XLR to USB Adapter
I don't think that's going to work. Loopback doesn't let me boost my microphone volume, and if I add another instance of the same device, it would presumably double and cause all kinds of problems. Can someone recommend a good USB to XLR adapter so I can hook my Shure XLR mic directly to the Mac? Hopefully that will let me adjust the volume.