There are two little apps that I’ve been using for over a year, that have been really awesome to have. It’s funny how some of the littlest apps can enhance your computing experience. 🙂
Although I find these must-have audio apps helpful when I podcast, you’ll also find them tremendously helpful for other things. If you ever use your Mac to video chat, make phone calls, or have multiple audio inputs and outputs for your system, you’ll find these to be very helpful:
SoundSource
When I first was setting up my Mac, I needed a way to change my primary sound source for both input and output. Not only did I have a second monitor with sound connected via HDMI, but I also use a audio interface for audio editing and recording with a standard XLR microphone. The ability to change audio inputs and outputs was essential. Could I jump into the Mac settings and changed it? Yes, but that’s a pain. With SoundSource, all I need to do is click on the headphone icon on the top bar and make my selections:
Sweet!
You can download it for free, and although it says it won’t work on Mountain Lion, I’ve been using it without any problem.
Have you used a similar app before?
Shush
Shush is one of those apps that make you wonder why they don’t build it into video chat options. This little guy will cost you a few bucks, but it’s been more than worth it. It works with all my video chat apps–Skype, Google+, etc…
You can use it a number of different ways. You can toggle between “Push to Talk,” “Push to Mute” and then you can “Toggle On and Off.”
I purchased this for podcast recording, but I’ve found this a really nice app for Google+ Hangouts, Skype calls and phone calls via my computer. Kids screaming in the background? Banging on the keyboard? Not with Shush!
Learn more on the Shush website or snag it straight from the Apple App Store.
What are some of your favorite little audio apps?
Aaron Villa says
If you “Option” click the standard speaker icon in the Mac menu bar it gives you a drop down right there to change your input and outputs. Once i found out about this it made life so much easier.
Eric Dye says
True! I should have mentioned that. The problem is, I have an app or two that overrides that so it becomes unavailable. SoundSource overrides it and keeps on chuggin’. Thanks for the tip, though!!!