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ballast

Status Bar app to keep the audio balance from drifting

CaskUtilitiesApple silicon · IntelDisabled
Homepage
From homebrew/cask
30-day installs
0
1-year installs
21
Last 365 days
Latest version
2.0.0
Download size
—
arm64 / x86_64 · zip
Release cadence
Irregular
0 releases in 30 days

ballast is a Utilities app for Mac.

Quick facts

Chips
Apple silicon · Intel
macOS
macOS 12 or later
Install
brew install --cask ballast
Homebrew
Disabled by Homebrew

These facts were checked on or after . See each source

About

Status Bar app to keep the audio balance from drifting

System requirements

macOSVersionChipsDownloadSource
macOS 12 or later2.0.0Intelgithub.com/jamsinclair/ballast/releases/download/v2.0.0/ballast-v2.0.0.zipSHA-256 ec96d590fd9dbe38fe50de006160d4ff2bd10187c4b011c1f5c5ea741044904aHomebrewChecked
macOS 12 or later2.0.0Apple silicongithub.com/jamsinclair/ballast/releases/download/v2.0.0/ballast-v2.0.0.zipSHA-256 ec96d590fd9dbe38fe50de006160d4ff2bd10187c4b011c1f5c5ea741044904aHomebrewChecked

How to install ballast on Mac

  1. In Terminal, run: brew install --cask ballast
  2. Homebrew installs the app in your Applications folder.

Install without Homebrew

Download the same file Homebrew uses: github.com/jamsinclair/ballast/releases/download/v2.0.0/ballast-v2.0.0.zip

SHA-256 only checks that the download is complete; it is not a security certification. See the SHA-256 and download address

Uninstall ballast and optional data cleanup

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --cask ballast

A regular uninstall removes the app and keeps its settings and caches.

Uninstalling also removes

Background services (launchctl)
nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper

Deep clean (optional)

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --zap --cask ballast

--zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap.

Files ballast can leave on your Mac (5)
Files and folders
~/Library/Application Scripts/nz.jamsinclair.ballast
~/Library/Application Scripts/nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper
~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast
~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper
~/Library/Preferences/nz.jamsinclair.ballast.plist

These entries come from the Homebrew definition, checked . They say what it declares, not what is on your Mac.

ballast security facts

Only facts that can be checked, each with its source and date. This is not a safety certification. To check the files you downloaded, scan them on your Mac with OpenNavo.

Distribution
Homebrew
Open source
Yes · github.com/jamsinclair/ballast · MITChecked
Scan with OpenNavoOpens a scan preview in the OpenNavo app; you decide whether to start it. ClamAV on Mac

Install Details

Tap
homebrew/cask
Download URL
https://github.com/jamsinclair/ballast/releases/download/v2.0.0/ballast-v2.0.0.zip
SHA-256
ec96d590fd9dbe38fe50de006160d4ff2bd10187c4b011c1f5c5ea741044904a
Homebrew definition
github.com/homebrew/homebrew-cask/blob/HEAD/Casks/b/ballast.rb
formulae.brew.sh
formulae.brew.sh/cask/ballast

Installation and removal contents

  • Uninstall uninstall

    View full declaration
    {
  "uninstall": [
    {
      "launchctl": "nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper",
      "quit": "nz.jamsinclair.ballast"
    }
  ]
}

  • Install app

    Source file: ballast.app

    Declared destination: /Applications/ballast.app

    View full declaration
    {
  "app": [
    "ballast.app"
  ],
  "target": "/Applications/ballast.app"
}

  • Remove user data zap

    View full declaration
    {
  "zap": [
    {
      "trash": [
        "~/Library/Application Scripts/nz.jamsinclair.ballast",
        "~/Library/Application Scripts/nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper",
        "~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast",
        "~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper",
        "~/Library/Preferences/nz.jamsinclair.ballast.plist"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Questions about ballast

Is ballast safe?

Homebrew has disabled ballast (it fails macOS Gatekeeper checks), so it can no longer be installed with Homebrew. It was disabled on Sep 1, 2026.

Is ballast open source?

ballast’s source code is public on GitHub (jamsinclair/ballast) under the MIT license.

How do I completely uninstall ballast on a Mac?

Run brew uninstall --cask ballast. It quits the app and stops 1 background service. To delete its settings and caches as well, run brew uninstall --zap --cask ballast. --zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap. That also deletes 5 files and folders, including ~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast.

Does ballast run on Apple silicon (M1 and later) Macs?

Homebrew installs it on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, from the same download. It needs macOS 12 or later.

Where does ballast store its settings and data?

Its settings are in ~/Library/Preferences/nz.jamsinclair.ballast.plist. Its data is in ~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast and ~/Library/Containers/nz.jamsinclair.ballast-LaunchAtLoginHelper. These locations come from Homebrew’s clean-up list.

What is the latest version of ballast?

The latest version is 2.0.0, added to Homebrew on Apr 24, 2023. Run brew upgrade --cask ballast to update it.

Sources

Every fact on this page names its source and check date. Facts past their validity read “as of” their date and are no longer stated as current.