BlackHole is a free, open-source virtual audio driver for macOS that creates a loopback device, letting you pass audio from one application to another with zero additional latency. It replaces the now-discontinued Soundflower and works natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon.
What it does
BlackHole installs as a Core Audio device. Any app that can select an audio output or input will see it. Route your DAW output into OBS, pipe a browser tab into a recording app, or combine multiple sources using macOS's built-in Audio MIDI Setup to create aggregate and multi-output devices.
Typical users: streamers, podcasters, online instructors, audio engineers, and anyone who needs internal audio routing on macOS.
Versions
| Version | Channels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2ch | 2 | Simple stereo routing, screen recording |
| 16ch | 16 | Multi-source mixing, podcasts, production |
| 64ch | 64 | Pro audio, complex routing setups |
All versions support sample rates from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz.
Installation
Easiest via Homebrew:
brew install blackhole-2ch
brew install blackhole-16ch
brew install blackhole-64ch
Alternatively, join the Discord community for the direct download link, or get the iOS companion app from the App Store.
Key details
- Compatible with macOS 10.10 (Mavericks) and newer
- Built for Intel and Apple Silicon
- Zero latency pass-through
- Free and open-source (GPL-3.0)
- No kernel extension needed on modern macOS
Good for
Replacing Soundflower, routing system audio into OBS or any DAW, recording internal audio on macOS without third-party capture tools. Works well with Audio MIDI Setup's aggregate device feature for combining BlackHole with a physical interface.