Support → SoundSource

Information for: LoopbackSoundSource

Details on SoundSource’s audio handling with Audio Routing Kit (ARK) and the ARK plugin

Beginning with MacOS 14.5, SoundSource uses new technology to capture audio. This change means getting started with SoundSource is now much simpler, with no need to adjust your Mac’s security settings.

Below, you’ll find additional notes about audio capture with SoundSource.

Initial setup

When you launch SoundSource, the Permissions window will guide you through the initial setup process. You’ll be up and running in under a minute.

Install Audio Routing Kit (ARK)

First, you’ll be prompted to install the Audio Routing Kit (ARK). ARK provides audio handling functionality and must be installed to use SoundSource.

Enable permissions for ARK

After ARK is installed, you’ll also need to enable both System Audio Access permission and Microphone Access permission for ARK. These permissions must be enabled for ARK to allow SoundSource to operate.

MacOS’s system audio capture indicator

MacOS displays a small purple dot next the menu bar icon for Control Center to indicate when an application, such as SoundSource, is capturing audio via software.

Clicking on the Control Center icon will reveal the full Mac Control Center. At the top of that window, you’ll see the application(s) currently accessing system audio.

When using SoundSource, audio capture is actually handled by the Audio Routing Kit (ARK) background application. This is the name which will be shown when system audio is being accessed:

Apple provides additional details in the “Use Control Center on Mac” page of their MacOS User Guide.