Loopback
Rogue Amoeba's virtual audio router that combines any sources into a single Mac input.
complex Mac routing
Loopback is the wire-free patch bay every Mac podcaster wishes macOS shipped with. Drag in sources, drag in outputs, connect them with virtual cables, and feed the result to any recording app as a single device. $99 is steep, but irreplaceable for complex setups.
- Virtual aggregate audio devices done right
- Pairs perfectly with Audio Hijack
- One-time license, free trial watermarks audio
- $99 is a lot for a routing utility
- Mac only
- Overkill for one-mic solo recording
Loopback is the answer to the question every advanced Mac podcaster ends up asking: how do I get my microphone, the Zoom call, the YouTube clip, and the soundboard all into the same recording app cleanly? macOS doesn't let you combine audio sources natively in any meaningful way, and Loopback fills that gap with virtual audio devices you configure in a visual patch-bay. Drag in your mic, drag in Chrome's audio, drag in Spotify, route through monitoring channels, and any app that asks for a microphone now sees one combined source. For a podcaster running a sound-effects deck alongside a remote guest call and wanting everything to land in one Audio Hijack session, this is the missing piece. The downsides are platform — Mac only — and the price. $99 for a routing utility is real money if you only need it occasionally, though the Loopback + Audio Hijack bundle at $130 is a notable saving if you're picking up both. The free trial works, but watermarks your audio so you can hear what it does without using it for anything real. For simple one-mic solo shows, you don't need this at all. For multi-source live shows with system audio mixed in, nothing else on macOS comes close.
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Loopback FAQ
What is Loopback in one line?
Rogue Amoeba's virtual audio router that combines any sources into a single Mac input.
Who should pick Loopback?
Loopback is shaped for complex mac routing. Its biggest strength: virtual aggregate audio devices done right. Drag in sources, drag in outputs, connect them with virtual cables, and feed the result to any recording app as a single device
What should I watch out for with Loopback?
$99 is a lot for a routing utility; mac only. None of these are deal-breakers on their own, but they're worth knowing before you commit.
Is Loopback free?
It's a paid tool in the $$ range. Some plans have a free trial — check the latest on their pricing page.
What can I use instead of Loopback?
Closest in the same category: Riverside, Zencastr, SquadCast. Each has its own shape — see the alternatives page for a side-by-side.