Music and microphone into BUTT on Mac

Before you start

Have BlackHole 2ch, BUTT, a microphone and headphones or an interface ready. The Multi-Output Device sends playback to monitoring and BlackHole; it does not add the microphone.

Steps

1. Install BlackHole 2ch from Existential Audio, then open Audio MIDI Setup.
2. Create a Multi-Output Device containing your headphones or audio interface and BlackHole 2ch. Use the physical output as the clock source, match sample rates, and enable drift correction for BlackHole.
3. Select this Multi-Output Device as your Mac’s sound output so you can hear the music while BlackHole receives it.
4. In BUTT’s Audio settings, select BlackHole as the primary device. To include your voice, select the microphone as the secondary device.
5. Open BUTT’s Mixer, check both sources, and adjust their levels. Use headphones, then make a short test broadcast.

Check it worked

Music reaches BlackHole and BUTT’s primary input; voice reaches the secondary input. A separate listener hears the balanced mix.

If it does not work

• No meters: inspect source selection, audio routing and mute controls.
• Meters but silence: compare the encoder status and current listening URL with a separate listener.
• A refused connection or login error: recheck the supplied host, broadcast port, source credentials and connection mode.
• Distortion: reduce gain at the stage that clips, then repeat the listener test.

Official references

Further reading: BlackHole: Multi-Output Device setup · BUTT: Audio inputs and mixer