Background Music
A macOS audio utility that automatically pauses music, controls per-app volumes, and records system audio.
What is Background Music?
Background Music is a macOS audio utility that acts as a virtual audio device to manage system audio behavior. It automatically pauses music players when other audio plays, provides individual volume controls for each application, and enables system-wide audio recording. It solves the problem of managing multiple audio sources and applications on macOS without built-in per-app volume controls.
Mac users who frequently switch between audio sources like music players, video calls, and games, and need automatic music pausing or per-app volume adjustments. Audio professionals and podcasters who require system audio recording capabilities.
It's a free, open-source alternative to commercial macOS audio utilities, offering core features like auto-pausing and per-app volume control without cost. It integrates deeply with macOS's audio system for reliable performance and supports a wide range of music players.
Overview
Background Music, a macOS audio utility: automatically pause your music, set individual apps' volumes and record system audio.
Use Cases
Best For
- Automatically pausing Spotify when starting a Zoom call
- Adjusting volume for specific apps like browsers or games independently
- Recording system audio for tutorials or podcasts
- Boosting quiet application volumes beyond their maximum
- Managing audio during video editing or streaming sessions
- Creating aggregate audio devices with microphone input
Not Ideal For
- Professional audio production requiring lossless, multi-channel output without clipping risks
- Users on macOS versions older than 10.13, as it's unsupported
- Environments where absolute audio stability is critical, given its alpha status and known app incompatibilities
- Scenarios needing seamless integration with all applications without manual troubleshooting for bugs like Chrome's audio switching issue
Pros & Cons
Pros
Seamlessly pauses supported music players like Spotify and iTunes when other audio plays, reducing manual intervention during tasks like video calls or gaming.
Provides individual volume sliders for each application, allowing users to boost quiet apps beyond default limits for better audio balance.
Acts as a virtual input device, enabling easy recording of system-wide audio with apps like QuickTime Player, and supports aggregate devices for microphone input.
Installs via Homebrew or a package without requiring a system restart, making setup quick and non-disruptive for users.
Cons
Volume boosting above 50% can cause clipping, degrading audio quality and making it unsuitable for high-fidelity listening or professional use.
Only supports 2-channel audio devices, restricting compatibility with surround sound systems or advanced audio setups requiring multi-channel output.
Known issues with apps like VLC pausing other players and Chrome not switching audio devices require manual fixes, adding complexity for users.
Still in alpha stage, so it may have crashes or instability, as noted in troubleshooting, and requires microphone permission as a workaround for system audio capture.
Open Source Alternative To
Background Music is an open-source alternative to the following products:
SoundBunny is a lightweight macOS menu bar utility that allows quick switching between audio input and output devices.
Sound Siphon is a macOS audio routing tool that captures audio from applications or system audio and redirects it to other apps or recording software.
Audio Hijack is a macOS application that allows users to record audio from any application or audio source on their computer. It can capture audio from web browsers, media players, video conferencing apps, and more.
SoundSource is a macOS audio control application from Rogue Amoeba that provides system-wide audio controls, effects, and device management from the menu bar.
Sound Control is a macOS application that provides per-app audio controls, allowing users to adjust volume, balance, and effects for individual applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
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