Hotkey switching of audio outputs...

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#99864 28-Mar-2012 23:08

Hi guys / gals.
I'm currently trying two external USB DAC's on a Mac, meaning I have to go into the Audio Midi Setup app every time I want to switch between the two DAC's. It's a little tedious (especially as I prefer to run my Mac Mini as a headless music server) and I'm looking for a solution to get around this with a simple keyboard shortcut / hotkey approach.
I've steam lined the process at the moment by using SoundSource (it just sits up the top making for less clicking'...
Does anyone have an idea how I can achieve a better solution for this?

nedkelly

659 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#601664 29-Mar-2012 06:39

Hold down option and then click on the volume icon in the menu bar

Oldhat

180 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#601737 29-Mar-2012 10:09

You might be able to create an Applescript and then assign it to a hotkey combination in your keyboard preferences.

There is some code here for a similar script that you appear to be looking at.

http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2006/07/applescript_audio_output_switc.html

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#602104 29-Mar-2012 19:02

Thanks Oldhat - that looks to be the basis of what I want to achieve...
The only issue seems to be that if I buy another DAC, I'll have to edit the code again.
I'm sure no one would make a paid app for this, which is a pity - but I do know it would have to be a TINY market. Oh well, I'll keep hunting :-)

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#602105 29-Mar-2012 19:03

Also - the 'Option' trick is handy, but my modded BlueTooth keyboard doesn't have a working 'Option' button.
Grrrrr.

jonherries

1395 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#604133 2-Apr-2012 20:41

Hi,

I have a script for doing this. It fails randomly, would appreciate any help debugging. I am running 10.7.3

Jon

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1828007/audiochange.scpt

jonherries

1395 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#604135 2-Apr-2012 20:42

Sorry forgot to add, you will need to customize the choice of output in the script.

Jon

keepitwarm

265 posts

Ultimate Geek

#605578 5-Apr-2012 10:45

soundsource is a good free app for quick sound switching, not sure about keyboard use though.

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies/

( down the bottom of the page)

.............................................................

simple logic.

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#605584 5-Apr-2012 10:56

Yeah Soundsource is great - but as I'm trying to run the MacMini as a headless music server, it's not ideal (as in, I need a screen to make it work). At the moment I've created a 'Multi-Output Device' so that both USB DAC's can always be sent audio... I just need to turn up the volume on the amplifier that I want to play audio through.
It's workable, but not ideal.