Ella Walter
If you want to combine multiple audio devices on your Mac, you can create an Aggregate Device. This will allow you to use multiple audio devices simultaneously, such as several USB microphones, and increase the number of audio inputs and outputs available. To do this, open the Audio MIDI Setup application on your Mac and select the input and output channels for each device. You can then choose the Aggregate Device in your preferred application's audio settings. Additionally, you can set the input to mono or stereo and adjust the input default volume to ensure sound is shared equally between both channels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Microphones | Multiple |
| Software | Adobe Audition, Audacity, GarageBand, Logic Pro, MainStage |
| Solution | Create an Aggregate Device, use a splitter adapter, or use soundflower to re-route audio |
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What You'll Learn
Use an Aggregate Device to combine multiple audio devices
You can use an Aggregate Device to combine multiple audio devices on a Mac. This is useful if your app doesn't support using separate devices for input and output.
To create an Aggregate Device, first, make sure all external audio interfaces are connected to your Mac. Then, follow these steps:
- From the Finder, choose Go > Utilities, then open the Audio MIDI Setup application.
- Click the "+" button at the bottom of the sidebar of the Audio Devices window, then choose "Create Aggregate Device".
- A new Aggregate Device will appear in the list on the left side of the window. To rename the device, double-click it.
- In the Audio MIDI Setup window, each subdevice at the top of the Subdevice section is colour-coded and matches the input and output channel numbers below the subdevices. These corresponding channel numbers appear in the input and output slots of the app you're using.
- Depending on the application you're using, you may need to select specific settings. For example, for Logic Pro, choose Logic Pro > Settings (or Preferences) > Audio, then select Devices.
- Choose the Aggregate Device from the Output Device pop-up menu in Logic Pro or GarageBand, or the Audio Output pop-up menu in MainStage.
- Set the clock source for the Aggregate Device by choosing the device from the Clock Source menu. Select the device with the most reliable clock, and for each device that is not the clock source, choose Drift Correction.
Now, you can use multiple audio devices simultaneously, such as several USB microphones, and increase the number of audio inputs and outputs available.
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Ensure all external audio interfaces are connected to your Mac
To pan microphone channels into one on a Mac, you'll need to create an Aggregate Device, which will allow you to use multiple audio devices simultaneously, such as several USB microphones. Here are some detailed steps to ensure all external audio interfaces are connected to your Mac:
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your audio interfaces are compatible with your Mac. Compare your Mac's specifications with the system requirements on the manufacturer's product page. If there is any incompatibility, you may need to consider upgrading or downgrading your operating system or choosing a compatible interface.
Once compatibility is confirmed, follow the installation and configuration instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some audio interfaces are class-compliant, connecting seamlessly with macOS without custom software. However, many interfaces require you to download, install, and configure a specific device driver. Additionally, some manufacturers offer a control app that you must download and install before using the interface. This app may also be where you set up signal routing and firmware upgrades.
When connecting your audio interfaces, it is recommended to connect them directly to your Mac. While USB hubs provide a convenient way to connect multiple devices to a single USB port, they may hinder proper communication between your interface and computer. This issue is more prevalent with passive hubs and those that cannot provide sufficient power for your external devices. For troubleshooting or optimal performance, always connect your audio interfaces directly to your computer.
If you are using a condenser microphone, ensure that the +48v Phantom Power Switch is turned on and an XLR > XLR cable is used for the connection. Additionally, make sure the Line/Instrument preamp switch on your interface is correctly set.
By following these steps, you can ensure that all your external audio interfaces are properly connected to your Mac, allowing you to proceed with aggregating your microphone channels.
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Open the Audio MIDI Setup application
To pan microphone channels into one on a Mac, you'll need to open the Audio MIDI Setup application. This application allows you to combine multiple audio devices, such as several USB microphones, into a single device. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
First, ensure that all your external audio interfaces, such as your microphones, are connected to your Mac. Then, from the Finder, select Go > Utilities. From the Utilities menu, you can open the Audio MIDI Setup application.
Once the Audio MIDI Setup application is open, you can begin configuring your microphone channels. In this application, each subdevice at the top of the Subdevice section is colour-coded and matched with input and output channel numbers. These channel numbers correspond to the input and output slots in the app you're using. For example, if you're using Logic Pro and your microphone is assigned as channel 1 in Audio MIDI Setup, you would choose Input 1 in the input slot of the channel strip in Logic Pro.
After configuring your microphone channels, you can adjust the recording settings. Click the track header of one of your tracks, then click the Track button in the Smart Controls pane at the bottom of the window. Within the Smart Controls pane, click on Recording Settings. Here, you can set the channel to mono or stereo, depending on your microphone or instrument. Make sure to select the appropriate input source, as the numbered channels correspond to the channels in Audio MIDI Setup.
Repeat these steps for each track you want to record, ensuring that each track has its own input source. For instance, in GarageBand, you would assign each microphone channel to a separate track. Finally, click the Record Enable button in the track header for each track you intend to record on.
By following these steps in the Audio MIDI Setup application, you can effectively pan multiple microphone channels into one on your Mac, allowing you to record and utilise your microphones simultaneously.
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Assign channels to each microphone
To assign channels to each microphone on a Mac, you can create an Aggregate Device, which combines multiple audio devices so they appear as a single device in an app. This allows you to use multiple audio inputs and outputs simultaneously and is particularly useful if your app doesn't support using separate devices for input and output.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
- Ensure all external audio interfaces, such as your microphones, are connected to your Mac.
- Go to the Finder, select Go > Utilities, and open the Audio MIDI Setup application.
- In the Audio MIDI Setup window, each subdevice at the top of the Subdevice section is colour-coded and corresponds to the input and output channel numbers below.
- Assign each microphone to the desired channel. For example, you might assign one USB microphone to channel 1 and another to channel 2.
- Open your preferred audio application, such as GarageBand or Logic Pro.
- In your application's settings or preferences, select Audio (or Audio/MIDI for GarageBand).
- Choose the appropriate input channel for each track you want to record. For instance, if you assigned a microphone to channel 1 in the Audio MIDI Setup, select Input 1 in the input slot of the channel strip in your audio application.
- Repeat this process for each track, ensuring each track has its own input source.
- Once you've configured the channels and tracks, you can start recording by clicking the Record Enable button in the track header and then the Record button in the toolbar or pressing the R key on your keyboard.
By following these steps, you can assign channels to each microphone and record audio from multiple sources simultaneously on your Mac.
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Choose the correct format for the mic or instrument
When choosing the correct format for your microphone or instrument, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, identify the type of microphone you are using. Microphones can be broadly categorized into dynamic and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones, such as the Shure SM58, are durable and versatile, making them suitable for most recording environments. On the other hand, condenser microphones, like the Rode NT1-A, are more sensitive to smaller vibrations and require an external voltage source, known as phantom power, provided by an audio interface or mic pre-amp. Another type of microphone is the contact microphone, which can amplify sound from acoustic musical instruments, detect drum hits, or even record underwater. They directly pick up vibrations from a solid surface or object rather than sound vibrations carried through the air.
The connection type of the microphone is also important. Microphones may use connectors such as XLR or USB. XLR microphones typically produce higher-quality audio than USB microphones because they don't include a built-in analog-to-digital converter (ADC). However, USB microphones are more convenient for direct recording into computer-based software. Additionally, consider the impedance of the microphone, especially when choosing a pre-amplifier. Impedance is a frequency-dependent electrical characteristic measured in ohms (Ω), relating voltage to current.
The choice between mono and stereo recording is another crucial aspect. In a mono recording, sound is captured through a single channel, while stereo recording uses two or more channels to create a wider sound image. Some software, like QuickTime, only records in stereo, while others like Audacity allow for mono or stereo recording. Additionally, certain microphones or instruments may be better suited for mono or stereo recording depending on the desired sound.
Lastly, the type of instrument you are recording with the microphone is important. Different instruments have varying sound characteristics, and some microphones are designed to capture these sounds optimally. For example, piezoelectric transducers are commonly used with acoustic musical instruments to amplify sound or trigger electronic samples. Magnetic coil pickups are often used with electric guitars, while acoustic guitars may use saddle-mounted piezoelectric pickups. Understanding the specific requirements of the instrument you wish to record will help guide your choice of microphone and recording setup.
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Frequently asked questions
You can do this by creating an Aggregate Device, which will allow multiple devices to appear as a single device in an app. This will enable you to use multiple audio devices at the same time, such as several USB microphones.
First, make sure all external audio interfaces are connected to your Mac. Then, from the Finder, choose Go > Utilities, and open the Audio MIDI Setup application.
In the Audio MIDI Setup, each subdevice at the top of the Subdevice section is colour-coded and matches the input and output channel numbers below. These channel numbers correspond with the input and output slots of the app you're using. For example, if you're using Logic Pro and your microphone is assigned to channel 1, choose Input 1 from the input slot of the channel strip.
In the Smart Controls pane, click Recording Settings, then set the input button to mono. Make sure to select the correct format for your microphone.
One way to do this is to purchase a splitter adapter that takes your microphone output and splits it into left and right channels.
