We’ve just released a small but important update to our cable-free audio routing tool, Loopback. The recent release of Loopback 2.4.0 featured a simplified setup process on MacOS 14.5 and up, powered by an overhauled audio capture backend. However, that change introduced several new problems we needed to correct. Today’s update brings critical fixes for those issues.

All Loopback users on MacOS 14.5 or higher should update to version 2.4.1 now. To do so, select the Check for Updates option in the Loopback menu to update to the latest version now.¹

Transitioning to a New Audio Capture Backend

With the release of MacOS 11 in 2020, Apple made changes that negatively impacted the setup process for our apps. Getting the necessary audio capture system (known as “ACE”) working was painful, with Apple Silicon-based machines even requiring changes to the Mac’s “Startup Security Policy”. These hurdles were difficult for both users and us.

We wanted to provide a better experience, and that meant we needed to change the backend system Airfoil, Audio Hijack, Loopback, Piezo, and SoundSource use for audio capture. We began work on our new audio capture system (dubbed “ARK”) in late 2022. It’s been an immense undertaking, but after nearly two years, ARK is ready for real-world use.²

This spring, we began to transition our products away from using ACE for audio capture. We’ve aimed for the move to ARK to be invisible to existing users of our products, and updates to Audio Hijack, Piezo, and Airfoil were very successful in that regard.

Loopback 2.4.0 and 2.4.1

Loopback, however, fell a bit short of the goal of a completely seamless transition. It needed more substantial changes than our other apps, and that led to a few rough edges in the Loopback 2.4.0 release. After several weeks of effort, we’ve now smoothed those out in version 2.4.1, which includes:

• A fix for distortion which could be heard when audio was routed through Loopback’s virtual devices
• Improved audio capture of apps playing audio through a non-default output device
• Substantial CPU performance improvements

To see the full list of improvements in Loopback 2.4.1, give the release notes a read.

Your Feedback Is Essential

Before every release, we do a substantial amount of testing to ensure the app is ready. Still, it’s impossible to test all potential scenarios, so user feedback is essential to us. Recent communications with Loopback users helped us rectify the issues mentioned above, and we’re very grateful for the assistance.

Our top-notch Support team is always here for you, listening to input and assisting with issues. Those conversations are a key part of our development process, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.

More Updates to Come

We expect to ship further updates with initial support for MacOS 15 (Sequoia) in the coming weeks. An update to our essential sound control utility SoundSource is also still in the works, and will complete our transition to the new audio capture backend. Watch for more later this summer.

Footnotes:

1. If you’re not yet on MacOS 14.5, you’ll continue to use Loopback 2.3.3, which does not need an update at this time. We now have two functionally equivalent variants of the app, based on your exact operating system version. You don’t need to do anything, however. The app’s built-in version checking handles this for you automatically. ↩︎

2. A brief marketing note: Our licenseable ARK-SDK, built on top of ARK, makes it easy to capture and process audio on MacOS. If you’re a MacOS software developer in need of audio capture or just a simplified way of dealing with audio, learn more about licensing. ↩︎

Earlier today, Apple announced the next version of the Mac’s operating system: MacOS 15 (Sequoia). Developers are just now receiving an initial version of Sequoia to test with, and the official release is expected this fall. Here at Rogue Amoeba, we’ve already begun the work necessary to update our entire product line for Sequoia, with official support coming as soon as possible.

For now, however, we strongly encourage our users to steer clear of Apple’s beta OS releases. All of our software is fully supported on the current MacOS 14 (Sonoma) and lower, and we recommend sticking with those OSes.

Current Sequoia Status

At present, our lineup can be divided into two groups.

Group #1: Functional on Sequoia

The following apps will function on Sequoia, and initial testing has surfaced no issues:

Airfoil

Audio Hijack

Farrago

Fission

Piezo

Do note that these apps are not officially supported on Sequoia yet. They’ll warn you of that when you run them, but will allow you to proceed.

Group #2: Inoperable on Sequoia

Meanwhile, these apps will not yet run at all on Sequoia:

Loopback

SoundSource

Updates in the Works

Our helpful Status page details the current state of affairs for major OS upgrades and other transitions. It’s the canonical source of information when it comes to supporting Sequoia.

In the past, our updates have generally arrived at the tail end of the OS’s development cycle. However, we know that some of our users will jump on Apple’s Sequoia betas earlier. This year, we’re aiming to provide releases with initial support sooner.

We’ll start by issuing test releases that run without warning on the new OS, followed by official updates to support Sequoia. You can turn on test releases now to get our latest updates for Sequoia as soon as they’re available.

More Soon

We expect to have more news soon, so consider subscribing to the blog via RSS and following our social media accounts as well. As always, stay tuned!

We’ve got more big news today, with an update for our cable-free audio routing tool Loopback now available for MacOS 14.5 and up. Loopback has now been updated with a streamlined setup process that will have you going in under 60 seconds. With this update, there’s no longer any need to adjust startup security settings, nor restart your Mac a single time. It’s fantastic!

To get started, download Loopback and launch it. You’ll be prompted to install Loopback’s backend component with your Administrator password, then grant the necessary permissions. In just a few clicks, you’ll be up and running.

Similar to our other recent updates, Loopback’s audio capture backend was overhauled to make this simplified setup possible. This update represents many months of development, as we worked to ensure that existing users experience no difference in functionality. Loopback is as capable and powerful as ever.

Update Loopback Today

For existing users, getting the latest Loopback is a snap. Choose Check for Updates from the Loopback menu to update to the latest version for your system.

If you’re not currently using Loopback, visit the product page to learn more and download the free trial. You can now get started routing audio between apps on your Mac faster than ever before.

Loopback’s new audio capture backend requires MacOS 14.5 or higher, so we’ve split it into two variants.¹ The app will handle everything for you, ensuring you have the right variant for your version of MacOS. Just download Loopback, launch it, and it’ll take care of the rest.

Coming to SoundSource Soon

We’re thrilled to have dramatically simplified Loopback’s installation. Coupled with the completely installer-free setup we’ve already shipped in Audio Hijack, Piezo, and Airfoil, getting started with our software has never been so smooth.

Meanwhile, we’re working hard to bring this same streamlined installation process to our must-have sound control utility, SoundSource. We expect to ship that update soon, so as always, stay tuned.

Footnotes:

1. For MacOS 14.5 and higher, Loopback 2.4.0 is the current version. On MacOS 11 through 14.4.1, Loopback 2.3.3 is used. These two variants of the app function identically. ↩︎