Loopback Review

Rogue Amoeba’s Loopback is the program you need if you’ve ever wanted to route the sound output of an app into a Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or another conversation or if you’ve ever used an app that accepts audio input and been frustrated that you can specify only one piece of audio hardware. The most recent iteration considerably enhances the previous model, which was already fairly effective. Learn more about Loopback features, benefits, and limitations in this review, as well as how to use the program.

Loopback Overview

The software enables you to construct virtual audio devices by combining hardware audio, such as microphones and line input, with audio output from other apps and system-level components, such as Text-to-Speech. In applications like GarageBand or Skype, a bundled audio device appears as a single item you can choose as an input. Additionally, you can choose it as an output device, integrating it with the virtual audio equipment system audio or the sound out of applications that let you choose the audio output.

The interface in version 2 is more user-friendly than in version 1, making it simpler to connect audio sources and giving you a better overall overview of how you’ve set up a virtual audio device. Additionally, it offers volume controls for each component of an audio workflow, allowing you to mix the sound effects rather than having to manage it from the source which is frequently impossible, or contend with unbalanced levels.

Loopback uses

Loopback benefits from real-world applications and can be used in both incredibly straightforward and complex ways. Here is a couple.

• Using QuickTime player to record the output of a Safari tab that is playing cable channel news.
• By connecting numerous USB microphones and integrating their input, you can make a FaceTime call.
• Coordinating a call with various internet audio programs, such as Google Hangouts and Slack, so that you and everyone else can hear each other.
• When recording a podcast with distant guests, it’s ideal to have background music, live music, or brief clips playing so that all listeners can hear what you’re saying.
• It’s easy to create gameplay videos with excellent audio. You can use Loopback to simultaneously record the sounds from your microphone and the game using gear like Elgato’s Game Capture.

That only goes so far. But if none of these applications make you think of tasks you’ve attempted to complete or want to carry out, Loopback probably isn’t to your taste.

How to use Loopback

Loopback version 2 makes the setup process more graphical and understandable, making it simple. To create a new virtual device, click the plus sign (+), then choose sources. All active applications and associated audio input devices are displayed in a drop-down menu. You can choose the audio output of any application that is currently running in the foreground as an app or in the background as a system process or agent by selecting the Running Processes menu item while holding down the Option key.

Every new device comes with Pass-Thru, which enables it to be used as both an audio input and a combined output. This feature is useful for programs that let you select a particular audio output device. For instance, you could wish to enter the output of an audio editing tool into a Skype chat so that another person can listen to changes as you make them and approve them.

Up to 64 audio channels can be sent through using Loopback 2, allowing you to take up to 64 input channels (32 stereo channels) and pipe them to any number of up to 64 output channels. That is a tremendous amount. The prior cap of 32 was already rather high, therefore it is obvious that some users requested more. A producer or mixer may be able to avoid more expensive software while working on huge recording projects that involve numerous mics or other sources.

Additionally, you can monitor outputs, which is helpful if you want to listen to a combined set of sounds without routing it to a program or if you connect them to locations where the results aren’t playing as well. As in one of the instances above, you could pipe simultaneous calls you linked together and use a monitor to listen to them simultaneously on a headphone output.

Loopback Review | Price

Loopback 2 is available as a free full-featured trial. A full license normally costs $99.

Loopback 1 owners can upgrade it for $49.

Other Rogue Amoeba apps

Two other Rogue Amoeba products, Audio Hijack ($59), and Farrago ($49), a soundboard that lets you store and play sound effects and audio snippets, fit well with Loopback. With its recording and effect possibilities, Audio Hijack is more suited for front-to-back audio capture. However, Loopback makes it simpler to build, manage, and make systems-wide accessible sets of devices to feed into Audio Hijack. Farrago can be included in a Loopback interface like any other sound source. Rogue Amoeba offers two discounted bundles: one for $130 which includes Loopback and Audio Hijack and the other for $175 which includes Farrago and its Fission basic audio editor. Check out our Rogue Amoeba SoundSource Review and go to the final thoughts of our Loopback Review.

Loopback Review | Final thoughts

Even though version 1 was fairly helpful and good, Loopback 2 delivers major upgrades over the previous release in every area. Both the interface modification to enable a more visual drag-and-drop method and the addition of Pass-Thru as a new source element are quite helpful. Volume controls are a fantastic feature for adjusting the balance.

Only a small portion of Mac customers require comprehensive audio routing and mixing capabilities, so it’s difficult to hold Apple accountable for not including these in macOS. Although the $99 price tag targets audio pros, podcasters on a budget, or business customers, Loopback fills that gap. It’s not a toy, but for individuals for whom this review made them clench their fists, it can be essential and reasonably priced. Anyway, Loopback is one of those applications that you fall in love with right away.