Soundflower not working in OS X EL Captain

[Superjustinbros]

Ever since a few days ago when I upgraded to OS X El Captain, I've been having problems trying to run SoundFlower. It keeps claiming the program is "not installed!" despite me attempting to download and install it twice by now.

[mattingalls]

try this version: https://github.com/mattingalls/Soundflower/releases/tag/2.0b2

[raystation]

I came here to post this, this release seems restore functionality! Thanks.

[Superjustinbros]

Thanks, though it appears the install process freezes on this step.

[Superjustinbros]

Well it did download, but it still thinks that it's not installed (with no icon in the Applications folder or topbar), though it shows the sound channels in System Settings.

There were also no prompts to restart the system.

[mattingalls]

that's it! if you want to use soundflowerBED you can use the older version with this version of soundflower. (but creating a Multi-output device in the AudioMIDISetup Utility app can also be used in many cases)

[Superjustinbros]

...Can you describe it in more detail? Your description confuses me a bit.

[mattingalls]

this guy made a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyS7UG3wmb0

[Superjustinbros]

That didn't help at all.
What I want to do is just have i so it plays and records only the audio form the computer and not it alongside the auto form the external microphone.
I do not do streaming and I use Soundflower solely to record sounds and music from online using Audacity, but ever since the El Captain "upgrade", I cannot find anything to fix it.

In a nutshell, any and all audio from Soundflower's channels are 100% mute for me.

[mattingalls]

did you check soundflower's mute and volume levels? (your screenshot here only shows the internal speakers) by the way, i'm going to remove those settings in the next version to prevent this kind of accidental muting from happening

[Superjustinbros]

How can I check them if it doesn't show up under Applications or the top-bar?

[mattingalls]

system preferences or audio midi setup

[Superjustinbros]

Nothing happens.

[mattingalls]

you certainly don't want to set both input and output to Soundflower -- that would create a feedback loop and i wouldn't be surprised if the OS catches that and shuts it down. so what you want to do is set default system output to Soundflower. and default input and system sounds to Built-in. Then reboot just to be on the safe side. then open audacity and set its input to Soundflower and its output to Built-in.

[ghost]

Hi mattingalls, I'm actually having a similar issue to Superjustinbros and I have followed your advise to the letter. Even though everything is set up as advised, Soundflower is not recording the sound at all. Have tried a fresh install after deleting the original, and rebooted after each set-up. Not sure what else to do to get this to work! Have also tried other solution to set it up as a Multi-Output Device, but that doesn't seem to do anything either.

Thanks in advance for any help you are able to provide

[Superjustinbros]

Well I sort of figured out how to get it work via Audacity.
If you set the speakers and recording source to Soundflower; it still records what sounds would usually be playing (as you can hear them when switching back to normal speakers) but absolutely nothing comes out of the speakers.

[mattingalls]

@Superjustinbros -- ok that confirms to me that the install DOES work and you just haven't set things up quite right (aka "user error - probably same with @lazergirl21) -- Soundflower has no "speakers" or "Recording" capabilities -- all it does is take audio in and spit it out! Since i don't know y'all's exact scenario, here is an example:

Say i want to play some audio in iTunes, but record it in Quicktime while listening to it out of the built-in speakers. Here is how i would set it up:

• in iTunes
  • start playing audio
• Open Audio MIDI Setup:
  • hit the '+' button in the bottom left corner and select "Create Multi Output Device"
  • in the the panel that appears on the right, select "Built-in Output" AND "Soundflower (2ch)"
  • then hit the button with the gear icon bottom left and select "use this device for sound output"
    (you should still be hearing your iTunes output -- it is now going to both Soundflower and the built-in speakers)
• In Quicktime:
  • create a new audio recording
  • in the popup menu next to record button select "Soundflower (2ch)" as the input
  • (you should now see record levels changing)
  • hit record!

[lingenfr]

@mattingalls. (I'm reposting in this thread as it seems to be a better fit). Matt, first thanks for your work. I've used SF and the audiomixer app for years on my MBA. I got a new MB and HDMI monitor (since my TB displays are useless). I can't control the volume on the Display from the menu and had hoped to use SF. Others said it worked, but no joy for me. I am on El Capitan. I believe I installed SF (your version above) correctly and I have two SF devices in my output list. When I select either of them, I get no sound. I tried @worldsfinestvideo's method. Obviously, that doesn't work for what I am trying to do. Am I out of luck or doing something wrong. I don't have a Soundflower folder/icon in my Applications folder and no Soundflowerbed icon on my task bar. I have tried all of the solutions proposed in this thread. No joy. Thanks.

[mattingalls]

you can take your chances with the older version of soundflowerbed (just make sure to not install the old version of soundflower!) i am not supporting soundflowerbed at this time

[lingenfr]

Thanks. Is there a compiled version for OS X available somewhere? For folks like me, I'm not sure how it works for others, the multi-output device doesn't not solve my problem. I need to take in the system sound, process through SF for volume control and output via HDMI. The multi-output device does not accomplish that (unless I am missing something).

On Oct 27, 2015, at 4:49 PM, Matt Ingalls [email protected] wrote:

you can take your chances with the older version of soundflowerbed (just make sure to not install the old version of soundflower!) i am not supporting soundflowerbed at this time

—
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub #44 (comment).

[mattingalls]

there's probably one from rogue amoeba

[lingenfr]

If so, I don't see it. I only see the source code. Another fellow (TNTsomething) posted a 1.6.7 version that included SFB. I don't know how or if it is possible to parse SFB out. I assume it is not. Should I uninstall your latest version, install the the 1.6.7 version and then install yours over the top? If not, I think I am just going to use external speakers with a volume knob. Very annoying that Apple can't sort this out. The dipsticks only allow minidisplayport and HDMI yet they give you no way to control the sound. Brilliant.

[mattingalls]

yes use that 1.6.7 version... there should be an "advanced options" button in the soundflower installer that lets you only install the bed.

[lingenfr]

No joy. I couldn’t find an “advanced options” button and the 1.6.7 install fails. For the time being, I uninstalled everything. Sounds like my use of SF must not be that popular. However, you also need this same setup to use the EQ the way I used SF previously. The multi-output is good for dual-inline applications, but not so hot for single-inline. I am pretty sure SFB is the only way to get there. I am researching external speakers with a volume knob. Very annoying. Cheers.

On Oct 27, 2015, at 5:32 PM, Matt Ingalls [email protected] wrote:

yes use that 1.6.7 version... there should be an "advanced options" button in the soundflower installer that lets you only install the bed.

—
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub #44 (comment).

[mattingalls]

sorry the button is called "customize" (appears in the "installation type" stage)

[lingenfr]

Not in the TNT… 1.6.7 package. The only option during the Installation Type stage is Change Install Location. I will check the 1.6.6 package.

On Oct 27, 2015, at 5:57 PM, Matt Ingalls [email protected] wrote:

sorry the button is called "customize" (appears in the "installation type" stage)

—
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub #44 (comment).

[rca]

Hey @mattingalls, thanks for all the support here. My scenarios is quite simple: I want to control HDMI audio volume as described in this blog post. Do you mind outlining this process with SoundFlower 2.0 + AudioMidi Setup, sans soundflower BED. Thank you!

[KarimGaliaskar]

https://github.com/crmne/Soundflower/releases/tag/1.6.7-mavericks-p1

Just will leave it here. Worked for me )

[ghost]

@mattingalls Hi Matt! apologies for bothering...
I've tried to setup soudflower as per your input, but i still have the issue of the mute output. I do realise that the option "use this device for sound output" is greyed out, despite the fact that the new multi-output device is created... Where am i doing wrong? Thank you in advance!

[mattingalls]

sounds like you made an "aggregate device" instead of "multi output device"

[mattingalls]

@sillygumpee -- the icon at the top of the screen is the soundflowerBED app, which isn't supported anymore. and you might not need soundflower at all -- what exactly are you trying to do?

[sillygumpee]

Xbox One - Elgato HD60 - Mac. Sound from Xbox One picked up by Soundflower and pushed to OBS. From OBS to Twitch.

[chrisbaz]

I have been through this in detail but still cannot get Audacity to work in El Capitan 10.11.6. on an iMac. (It all worked before the parade to El Capitan)

I have now loaded onto my MacBook Air which is only Sierra. Here I have managed to make it work, though it will only do so if Output is set to soundflower 2 ch, this I cannot monitor the sound while I am recording. I had this problem in the past and cannot remember how to resolve it - I have also googled a solution but can find nothing.

I look forward to the next Audacity upgrade...

[chrisbaz]

And another thing... with Sierra, there is no option for Multi-output device in System Preferences as there is in El Capitan

[edkay360]

Having followed the advice in this thread I am unable to get the sound to record when doing a screen recording in QuickTimePlayer. The sound bar at the top of the screen recording window doesn't register any sound and there is none when I record the screen.
Soundflower downloaded from https://github.com/mattingalls/Soundflower/releases/tag/2.0b2
I am running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5

Many thanks for any help.

[mattingalls]

@edkay360 are you setting the input in the Quicktime record window to Soundflower? (the popup menu next to the record button). i would also suggest to turn up all Soundflower's volume sliders in AudioMIDISetup to maximum.

[edkay360]

Yes, I had the input set. It was Soundflower's volume sliders in AudioMIDISetup. It seems I needed the master and both of 1 and 2 set to max for both input and output.
Thank you very much for your help

[mattingalls]

ok good to know! i actually have a new version with the volume and mute control taken out -- it's a cause of too many problems. haven't released it yet because i want to make a helper app that will have a monitoring device with volume slider there (that won't change the soundflower volume itself, just the monitor level)

[sommerdi]

I have problems with randomly disruption with noise. Every 2min....
I tested this with itune, pd & logicx for 2ch & 64ch.
My system is MBP 15" retina 10.11.6 .. any support is more than welcome

[cynclical]

I know this place is kind of dead, but I want to know why doesn't soundflower work in a Steam Game?

[cynclical]

Never mind, it seems to me that you have to have the game running after starting up Quickplay, weird ain't it?

[iMactoo]

I followed the useful instructions in this thread. I had trouble with the recording of the audio while doing a new screen recording using Quicktime. It was soft. Once I select the multi-output device I can't control the volume of what is playing on the screen. The only way I could get the audio to record at a high level was to set the built-in-output volume controls to maximum in the Audio Device screen. But this meant that whatever was playing on the screen was coming out at full volume through the computers speakers. I was wondering if I was doing something wrong. I am using OS 10.11.6. Thanks.

[Imanovitz]

Hi Mattingalls. I see you know a lot about this. And I clearly don't. I have tried a lot of what you guys been talking about. But I don't seem to work for me. If you would, I would really appreciate if you could guide me, or do it for me over TeamViewer?

[PainKiller969]

@mattingalls I have a problem, I have done everything, I can't hear myself when I talk I can only hear my backround/desktop its so annoying please help.

[Laniakia]

@mattingalls I, too, have tried everything, every possible configuration, gone through every one of your answers to every comment, all my settings seem correct, and yet no sound is recorded. I'm on Sierra 10.12.5 and soundflower 2.0b2. Installed & uninstalled and re-started numerous times. Volume is up. I hear sound when the output is set to the Multi-Output device, yes, with Soundflower & Built-In Output on, but no sound at all in the Quicktime screen recording (which is set to Soundflower & the volume is max). Quicktime 10.4. Been at this for hours, joined GitHub as last resort, leaving a flailing note.

[mattingalls]

@Laniakia -- just making sure: so your system default device is set to the Multi-Output? and the Quicktime "Microphone" input is set to Soundflower? what if you set the system default device to soundflower -- does Quicktime at least record the audio? (without you being able to monitor)

[Laniakia]

@mattingalls Quicktime does not record from Soundflower at all - completely blank. Neither does Audacity. I was trying to find an inexpensive app at the Apple Store to capture video and sound internally, but some of them also rely on Soundflower. I often set a timer in Audacity and use Soundflower to record my friend's radio show. About all I can do is leave the microphone on, I guess.

[Laniakia]

@mattingalls I think you have magic with computers - yes, I changed the default device to Soundflower and viola! beautiful sound...! I know I tried this last night but perhaps one of my other settings was off. It's working beautifully now. Thank you!!!!!!!

[musicspirit]

Greetings Matt and correspondents on this long and very useful discussion thread!

• I have installed Soundflower on El Capitan MBP 10.11.5 a couple of time and although it shows up in Audio Set Up as an option, I cannot find the App anywhere on the computer, not in Applications etc and cannot drag it into the dock to boot it up like other applications. My aim is to record internet radio direct to mp3 ( ideally through Logic X but I dont think it is possible to record to Mp3 directly - I dont want the hassle of converting aiff or wav files after to mp3). All suggestions appreciated.
  PS I would prefer not to install Audacity or any other software if possible - ie use just Logic or Quicktime

[LightningStalker]

Thanks guys that fixed it for me. Somehow, I don't know how, the volume of Soundflower got turned way down, to the point where nothing was coming through.

[beta-dawg]

@mattingalls I use external speakers via display port and am unable to control volume on them via my keyboard. So I want soundflower's input to be everything that plays on the system, and soundflower's output to be my external speakers. I have installed the soundflower kernel but where can I change what feeds into soundflower and where does soundflower output? I would want to do this without having to use the old SoundflowerBed app as it has not worked well for me on newer versions of macOS. Thanks!

[LightningStalker]

@beta-dawg You can use Audio MIDI Setup.

[beta-dawg]

@LightningStalker I tried that, it didn't help - I used steps mentioned in this thread somewhere above about creating a multi-output device - it doesn't work for me, unless you have specific steps I should be following.

[LightningStalker]

Well, I don't know then. That is how you change the inputs and outputs to Soundflower.

[DaniZz]

tells me:

the installation failed (high sierra 10.13.3)

:/

[mattingalls]

the failed message sometimes is just an artifact of the new security in high sierra. did you you do this?
IF INSTALLING ON HIGH SIERRA The first attempt to install will display a security alert, then fail. Afterwards, you need to go into System Preferences "Security & Privacy - General" pane and give permission to allow the install signed by the developer "MATT INGALLS". After giving permission, you will be able to run the installer successfully.

[foggerwoody]

tells me:

the installation failed (high sierra 10.13.4)

After I have allow the install in "Security & Privacy"

[LordMelkor]

Following the example of recording iTunes with Quicktime I'm able to get it to record properly, however, when Multi-Output Device is selected for sound output, I lose volume control. Is there any way around this?

[mattingalls]

@LordMelkor: the only way i know is to adjust the volume of your monitoring device in AudioMIDISetup. fyi, i do have a solution in the works to transfer volume buttons for soundflower into the monitoring device.