Fader for MAC
Free, open-source Mac menu bar app for one-click audio output switching, per-app volume and playing sound to several devices at once.
Fader Overview
Fader is a menu bar app for the Mac that puts sound output and volume in one place. Switch between headphones, speakers, displays and AirPlay targets with one click, connect paired Bluetooth headphones from the same list, and give every app that plays sound its own volume slider and mute. You can drag a device onto the output list to play through two devices together, or drag devices onto an app to send just that app to them, while everything else stays on your main output.
Fader works without a kernel extension or a virtual audio driver and sends no telemetry. Per-app volume uses macOS audio taps, so the System Audio Recording permission is requested the first time you move an app’s fader; the audio never leaves your Mac. Apps left at full volume play untouched. Fader is made by pantafive and is free and open source under the MIT license; it updates itself. Version 0.21.1 fixes sound effects and app volume after user reports. It needs macOS 15 or later on Apple Silicon.
Key Features
Fader controls where your Mac’s sound goes and how loud each app is.
- Output switching: headphones, speakers, displays and AirPlay targets in one click.
- Bluetooth: connect paired headphones from the same list.
- Auto-switch: rank devices and Fader follows the best one present.
- Several outputs: play through two or more devices at once, each with its own slider.
- Per-app volume: a fader and mute for every app that plays sound, remembered between sessions.
- Per-app output: send one app to chosen devices while the rest stays on your main output.
- Microphone: switch the default input, set gain and see which apps are listening.
- In sync: follows the volume keys and Control Center, and sliders react to scrolling.
What’s New in Version 0.21.1
Fader 0.21.1 brings two fixes from user reports.
- Sound effects now follow the output you switch to when macOS plays them through the selected device
- An app moved back to 100% is fully released again, so Discord’s screen share no longer picks up voice chat
Fader FAQ
Is Fader free?
Yes. Fader is free and open source under the MIT license.
Which macOS version does Fader need?
Fader needs macOS 15 or later.
Does Fader run on Intel Macs?
No. Fader requires a Mac with Apple Silicon.
Can Fader set a different volume for each app?
Yes. Every app that plays sound gets its own fader and mute, and the levels are remembered.
Why does Fader ask for the System Audio Recording permission?
macOS requires it for the audio taps that per-app volume uses. It is requested the first time you move an app’s fader, and the audio never leaves your Mac.
Does Fader install an audio driver?
No. It uses no kernel extension and no virtual audio driver.
Can Fader play sound on two devices at once?
Yes. Drag a device onto the Output section and both play together, each with its own volume slider.
Can I send one app to different speakers?
Yes. Drag one or more devices onto an app to play it only through those outputs.
Can I install Fader with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask pantafive/tap/fader. The app also updates itself.
Where does the Fader download on fader.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Fader releases page on GitHub at https://github.com/pantafive/fader/releases/latest. fader.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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