BlackHole 16ch

BlackHole 16ch is a macOS virtual audio loopback driver from Existential Audio. It routes audio from an application's output to another application's input without a physical audio cable. This package installs the 16-channel variant, intended for users who need multichannel routing for recording, streaming, music production, teaching or audio testing.

Driver and channel variants

BlackHole appears as an audio device rather than a standalone recording application. Select it as the output device in the sending application and as the input in the receiving application, then match the output and input channels. You still need a separate recorder, DAW, streaming or conferencing application.

The 16ch package provides 16 input and 16 output channels. BlackHole 2ch is a separate two-channel variant that is often simpler for stereo workflows; choosing 16ch does not automatically create sixteen independent mixes or convert every application into a multichannel recorder. Applications must support the channels and routing you configure. Other builds and customizable channel counts are separate from this Cask.

The project describes zero additional driver latency. End-to-end delay still depends on application buffers, sample rates, hardware and the rest of the audio chain; this is not a guarantee that every recording or call has zero total latency.

Install and first routing

Install with brew install --cask blackhole-16ch, or obtain the official 16ch package installer. Close running audio applications, run the package installer and reboot when prompted. The recorded Cask explicitly says a reboot is required for installation to take effect. The installer can request administrator authorization because it installs a system audio plug-in under /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL.

After restarting, open Apple's Audio MIDI Setup and confirm the BlackHole device is available. Set a compatible sample rate and select corresponding channels in your receiving app. For an ordinary stereo source, channels 1 and 2 are the usual starting pair. Sending all audio to BlackHole alone does not also send it to your speakers.

Listen while recording with Multi-Output

To hear audio through speakers or headphones while routing it into BlackHole, create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup and include both the physical output and BlackHole. Select this Multi-Output Device as the source application's or system's output, and select BlackHole as the recorder's input.

The official guide recommends Drift Correction for every included device except the clock source. It also documents macOS compatibility issues that require a two-channel physical output or another appropriate two-channel device as the first/primary clock device. BlackHole 16ch is not the recommended primary device in that arrangement. Use matching sample rates and consult the device guide if playback stalls or clicks occur. An Aggregate Device combines device channels for different routing needs; it is not interchangeable with a Multi-Output Device that sends output to multiple devices.

macOS does not offer ordinary combined volume control for a Multi-Output Device; adjust the constituent device levels in Audio MIDI Setup or the relevant application. Bluetooth headset microphones can use different, lower sample rates and should not casually be selected as the clock source. Avoid monitoring a recording track back into the same route in a way that creates feedback.

Permissions and platform requirements

BlackHole supports Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. The official repository states macOS 10.10 Yosemite or newer; use the numeric requirement because the website pairs 10.10 with an inconsistent macOS name. The Cask declares no extra formula dependency or conflicting Cask. BlackHole does not require a kernel extension or disabling macOS system security.

The receiving recording app may need Microphone permission even when its input is a virtual device rather than a physical microphone. Grant that permission to the recorder or DAW that captures audio. Screen Recording permission belongs to applications and capture features that request it; it is not a blanket requirement for installing this audio driver. Configure only permissions required by the selected recording workflow.

The recorded 0.7.1 installer metadata reports 103,302 bytes. The official download server rejected HEAD verification, so this value is the recorded package size rather than an independently confirmed current response. Installed plug-ins and your separate audio applications or recordings use additional disk space. There is no supported Windows or Linux build in this Mac package.

Cost, downloads and licensing

Local driver use does not require a cloud account or paid subscription. The official site offers donations and currently directs users to its Discord download/support channel or Homebrew. Older instructions referring to an email download workflow are not a requirement for this Cask installation. Donations, a Discord account for that channel and a commercial integration license are separate matters.

The source code is licensed under GPLv3. The current license text separately reserves rights to official compiled installers, artwork, trademarks and branding. The developer guide requests a separate license for non-GPLv3 projects integrating BlackHole; contact Existential Audio about embedding, modified distribution or commercial integration rather than assuming the source license gives unrestricted brand or installer redistribution rights. Routing audio between separately installed applications is distinct from distributing a product that incorporates the driver.

The icon is Existential Audio's official organization mark. The screenshot is an official historical Audio MIDI Setup example showing a 16-input/16-output BlackHole device at 48 kHz. It is not a fresh capture of 0.7.1, and Audio MIDI Setup is Apple's configuration utility rather than a BlackHole standalone app.

Sources: Official project and usage, Download options, Multi-Output guide, License, Release notes.