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Audio Capture Engine, generally referred to as “ACE”, is Rogue Amoeba's powerful audio handling component. ACE captures audio on your system, allowing it can be used as you desire with these Rogue Amoeba's products:
On MacOS 11 (Big Sur), the initial installation of ACE requires some quick setup. Our products include a built-in installer for ACE, which gives a helpful overview.
On this page, we detail the full, step-by-step sequence needed to install ACE. The same steps apply for all applications using ACE. This is a one-time process, and you'll be up and running in just a few minutes.
When you first launch the application, it will direct you to install ACE. Click the Install button to proceed.
Enter your Administrator password (generally, the password used to log in to your Mac), then click OK.
You'll now see a message from the system, stating that ACE has been blocked from running. Don't worry, that's expected! Click the Open Security Preferences button to proceed.
If you clicked Open Security Preferences in the previous dialog, you'll already be in the right place.
If not, select System Preferences from the Apple () menu in the upper left. Click Security & Privacy, then the General tab.
Click the lock in the lower left corner, then enter your Administrator password. The Security & Privacy system preference will then be unlocked, and you'll be able to make changes.
Click the Allow button to permit ACE to run on your Mac.
⚠️ Note: In rare instances, a bug in MacOS can cause this prompt to fail to appear. If you don't see the Allow button, restart your Mac, then re-open System Preferences.
You're at the final step. Click Restart. When you log back in to your Mac, the application will be ready to go. Good work!
When you first launch the application, it will direct you to install ACE. Click the Install button to proceed.
Enter your Administrator password (generally, the password used to log in to your Mac), then click OK.
You'll now see a message from the system, stating that your system currently does not allow system extensions.
Click the Open Security Preferences button to proceed.
If you clicked Open Security Preferences in the previous dialog, you'll already be in the right place.
If not, select System Preferences from the Apple () menu in the upper left. Click Security & Privacy, then the General tab.
Click the lock in the lower left corner, then enter your Administrator password. The Security & Privacy system preference will then be unlocked, and you'll be able to make changes.
Click the Enable system extensions… button to proceed.
This dialog explains how to access the Mac's “Recovery” environment. Click Shutdown.
To boot to the Mac's “Recovery” environment, press and hold the Touch ID or power button on your Mac. When the screen says “Loading startup options…”, you can let go.
Select a user with administrator privileges, then click Next.
You'll be prompted for your login password. Enter it, then click Continue.
The Startup Security Utility should now load automatically. It can also be accessed from the Utilities menu.
Click your main system drive to highlight it, then click the Security Policy… button. This will enable you to adjust the security policy so system extensions like ACE can run.
By default, you'll see the configuration is pictured above. Switch to Reduced Security and enable the first checkbox, “Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers”.
Your settings should now match the image above. You can now click the OK button.
Enter your password, then click the OK button. The new security policy will then be applied. When it's finished, the window will close.
Phew! You can now click the Apple () menu in the upper left. Select Restart, then log back into your account as normal.
You'll now see a message from the system, stating that ACE has been blocked from running. Don't worry, that's expected! Click the Open Security Preferences button to proceed.
If you clicked Open Security Preferences in the previous dialog, you'll already be in the right place.
If not, select System Preferences from the Apple () menu in the upper left. Click Security & Privacy, then the General tab.
Click the lock in the lower left corner, then enter your Administrator password. The Security & Privacy system preference will then be unlocked, and you'll be able to make changes.
Click the Allow button to permit ACE to run on your Mac.
⚠️ Note: In rare instances, a bug in MacOS can cause this prompt to fail to appear. If you don't see the Allow button, restart your Mac, then re-open System Preferences.
You're at the final step. Click Restart. When you log back in to your Mac, the application will be ready to go. Good work!
• The “Reduced Security” setting still provides your Mac with powerful security, only allowing approved Apple operating systems to run.
• Despite the name of this setting, ACE is not a kernel extension. Instead, it's a standard audio plug-in, which receives enhanced privileges to access your system's audio. MacOS 11 simply uses the kernel extension verification system to allow ACE to load as well.
If you need personal assistance, or you just want to provide feedback, you can reach our support team via email.
Contact UsWe're amazingly responsive! We strive to reply in under 24 hours.
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