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Vyz: System Audio

MacOS does not allow applications access to system audio directly. However system audio can be indirectly accessed if you have a virtual audio device / driver installed.  Below is an example of using Vyz with system audio + headphones using BlackHole Audio Driver by existential audio.

Disclaimer: This is just an example work around and is not guaranteed to work as expected or at all. Be sure to check the full guide including caveats and tips below before trying any steps yourself and try at your own risk.

1. Get BlackHole: https://existential.audio/blackhole/

Follow instructions for download and installation

Consider donating if you enjoy their product. You can find a link to custom donation amount within their installation link.

BlackHole 2ch version should work

2. Open "Audio MIDI Setup"

The easiest way to find it is to search for it using Spotlight

This is a MacOS application to manage audio device setup (MIDI = Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

Once opened you should see "BlackHole 2ch" in the listed devices if installed correctly

3. Create a new Multi-Output Device

Make sure both BlackHole and your Bluetooth Headphones are selected.

Note: bluetooth headphones need to be connected to be visible in Audio MIDI Setup

You may find it helpful to rename the device to something meaningful. In this example we rename it to "BH + Bluetooth".

4. Set the new device as your audio output

You can use the tray as shown here or go to Sound in the System Preferences UI.

5. In Vyz Audio Settings, select the BlackHole virtual device as your selected audio source

Not the multi-output device just created

This setting is found under the main audio source mode selection

You should also select "System: Advanced" as the mode if planning to use and test immediately

6. Play some audio!

If everything is set up correctly you should see the visualizer reflect the system audio.

Setup Checklist:

Virtual Audio Driver installed (should be visible under sound output devices and in Audio MIDI Setup)

Multi-output Device created with both virtual device and actual output target selected

Multi-output Device selected as audio output

Virtual audio device selected in Vyz as target under "Advanced | Select Audio Source" and "System: Advanced" selected as the audio source mode.

Caveats and Tips

Vyz does not own or develop BlackHole. Download, install, and configure software at your own risk.

When using a multi-ouput audio device, MacOS does not allow volume control (because it doesn't "know" what device your trying to control).

Tip: To control volume, one way is to switch to your actual output (in this example, the bluetooth headphones), change the volume, and switch back to the multi-output device. Alternatively if using headphones with integrated volume controls those should still work.

Tip: While this example uses BlackHole and Bluetooth Headphones, the basic idea could work for other virtual audio devices and destination outputs (e.g. bluetooth / built-in speaker outputs).

Tip: If you have multiple headphones you can add them all to one multi-output device to keep things simple. This will just output to all added headphones that are connected (which is usually one).

Tip: If you use system audio for speakers and headphones create separate output devices for the two categories or you will have audio play out of your speakers and headphones at the same time.

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Vyz: Upcoming Features

audio visualizer desktop companion

Likely upcoming features:

Randomized styles

Customizable visualizer colors

Customizable visualizer parameters

Additional visualizer styles

Quality UX improvements

Less likely but possible upcoming features:

Audio forwarding (ie from custom source to custom destination)

Windows port

Integrated audio device for system audio capture

Updated: 2023-8-16