# Mac audio guides

Written by Sheik Ahamed, who makes Earmix.

## Compare

- [The best volume mixers for Mac in 2026](https://earmix.app/best-volume-mixer-mac.html): Seven per-app volume apps compared, with a quick way to pick by what you need.
- [A SoundSource alternative: Earmix vs SoundSource](https://earmix.app/soundsource-alternative.html): SoundSource is the mature choice. Where Earmix differs: tabs, calls, recording and macOS 14.
- [Earmix vs SoundDial: a SoundDial alternative for Mac](https://earmix.app/earmix-vs-sounddial.html): Both mix apps and lower music on calls. Earmix adds tabs, recording and an iPhone remote.
- [FineTune for Mac vs Earmix](https://earmix.app/earmix-vs-finetune.html): FineTune is free and open source, and often enough. What Earmix adds, and when it's worth it.
- [A Background Music alternative for Mac](https://earmix.app/background-music-alternative.html): Background Music is free but still alpha. What it does well, and newer mixers to move to.
- [An eqMac alternative for Mac](https://earmix.app/eqmac-alternative.html): eqMac is a strong system EQ, but per-app volume is Pro. Alternatives with one price.
- [A Boom 3D alternative for Mac](https://earmix.app/boom-3d-alternative.html): Boom 3D is about bigger sound. If you want app-by-app control instead, these fit better.
- [BlackHole alternatives for Mac](https://earmix.app/blackhole-alternative.html): Apps that record or route Mac audio without BlackHole's Multi-Output Device setup.

## Fix a problem

- [Can't change the volume on an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor? Here's why, and the fixes](https://earmix.app/hdmi-volume-control-mac.html): Why the volume slider greys out on HDMI and DisplayPort, and the ways to get volume back.
- [Mac volume too low? How to make your Mac louder than max](https://earmix.app/mac-volume-too-low.html): The settings to check first, then how to boost a quiet app or tab past 100%.
- [How to lower music automatically during calls on a Mac](https://earmix.app/lower-music-during-calls-mac.html): macOS doesn't duck other apps on a call. The manual fixes, and how to make it automatic.

## Learn

- [How to control the volume of each app on a Mac](https://earmix.app/per-app-volume-mac.html): macOS has one slider for everything. The built-in workarounds, and how to get a slider per app.
- [How to get a volume mixer on a Mac, like the one in Windows](https://earmix.app/volume-mixer-mac.html): macOS has no Windows-style mixer. What's built in, and the apps that add one.
- [How to change the volume of one tab in Chrome, Safari or Firefox](https://earmix.app/browser-tab-volume.html): Browsers can mute a tab but not turn it down. What's built in, and how to get a slider per tab.
- [How to send each app's sound to a different output on a Mac](https://earmix.app/different-output-per-app-mac.html): macOS uses one output for every app. How to send each app to its own speakers or headphones.
- [How to play audio through two outputs at once on a Mac](https://earmix.app/multiple-audio-outputs-mac.html): The Multi-Output Device steps, why its volume keys don't work, and a per-app alternative.
- [How to record internal audio on a Mac](https://earmix.app/record-internal-audio-mac.html): The built-in Screenshot app, QuickTime's limit, BlackHole, and how to record one app's sound.
- [How to record a Zoom, Teams or FaceTime call on a Mac](https://earmix.app/record-zoom-call-mac.html): Each call app's own recording and its plan limits, then how to record any call with your voice.
- [How to mute your microphone with a shortcut on a Mac](https://earmix.app/mute-microphone-shortcut-mac.html): Each call app's own mute shortcut, the Sound settings trick, and one key that mutes the mic everywhere.
- [How to EQ your headphones on a Mac](https://earmix.app/headphone-eq-mac.html): macOS has no headphone EQ for all apps. How AutoEq correction works, and the apps that use it.
- [How to get an equalizer for your whole Mac, or for each app](https://earmix.app/mac-equalizer.html): macOS's only EQ is in the Music app. The apps that add a system-wide or per-app equalizer.
- [How to control your Mac's volume from your iPhone](https://earmix.app/control-mac-volume-from-iphone.html): Use your iPhone as a remote for the Mac's volume, each app's slider and the mic.