Table of Contents

Enabling Screen Share Audio on Discord Mac: A Masterclass

So, you want to share your screen with audio on Discord on your Mac, huh? Fear not, fellow digital maestro, for I’m here to guide you through the sometimes-perplexing process. The direct answer is: Enabling screen share audio on Discord Mac requires installing a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or Loopback, configuring it as your input and output device in Discord, and then selecting it as the audio source when you start screen sharing. It’s not as straightforward as a simple button press, but with the right steps, you’ll be serenading your friends with in-game soundtracks and hilarious YouTube clips in no time. Let’s dive deeper.

Understanding the Audio Sharing Challenge on macOS

macOS, bless its heart, doesn’t natively allow applications to directly grab audio output from other applications for screen sharing. This is a security feature, designed to prevent rogue apps from snooping on your audio. The workaround involves using a virtual audio driver, which acts as a bridge, capturing the system’s audio output and making it available as an input device for Discord.

Selecting Your Virtual Audio Driver: BlackHole vs. Loopback

Two titans dominate the virtual audio driver landscape on macOS: BlackHole and Loopback.

BlackHole: This is the free, open-source option. It’s perfectly functional and a great starting point for those on a budget. However, it can be a little less intuitive to set up than Loopback.
Loopback: This is a paid application from Rogue Amoeba. It’s more user-friendly, offering a graphical interface for creating complex audio routing configurations. If you’re a power user or need more advanced audio management, Loopback is worth the investment.

For the purpose of this guide, we’ll focus primarily on using BlackHole, given its accessibility. The general principles apply to Loopback as well, although the interface and configuration options will differ slightly.

Installing and Configuring BlackHole

Download BlackHole: Head over to the existential.audio website and download the installer for BlackHole.
Install BlackHole: Run the installer package. You may need to grant permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy to allow the installation. Ensure you download the correct version of BlackHole. If using macOS Monterey or later, download BlackHole 16ch.
Configure Audio MIDI Setup: This is where the magic happens. Open Audio MIDI Setup (found in /Applications/Utilities/).
- Click the “+” button in the bottom-left corner and select “Create Aggregate Device.”
- In the Aggregate Device window, check the boxes next to BlackHole 16ch (or whatever version you installed) and your built-in output (your speakers or headphones). Ensure your built-in output is the primary device.
- Give your Aggregate Device a descriptive name, such as “Discord Audio.”
- Now, click the “+” button again and select “Create Multi-Output Device.”
- In the Multi-Output Device window, check the boxes next to BlackHole 16ch (or whatever version you installed) and your built-in output (your speakers or headphones). Make sure to check the ‘Drift Correction’ box for BlackHole.
Setting up Discord:
- Open Discord and navigate to User Settings (the gear icon next to your username).
- Go to Voice & Video.
- Under “Input Device,” select your “Discord Audio” Aggregate Device. If that doesn’t work, try using BlackHole directly.
- Under “Output Device,” select your built-in output (your speakers or headphones).

Screen Sharing with Audio

Start a Voice Chat or Server: Join a voice channel or start a private call.
Initiate Screen Sharing: Click the “Share Your Screen” button in the voice channel.
Select Your Screen or Application: Choose the screen or application you want to share.
Share System Audio (the crucial step!): You don’t directly share system audio on Discord. The trick is that your Aggregate Device sends your desktop audio from other sources to Discord as the Input Device. Therefore, as long as your set up is correct, Discord thinks it’s receiving your voice when, in fact, it’s also getting other sound from your computer. Start playing audio on your computer, and the other Discord users should hear it.
Go Live: Click “Go Live” to start sharing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Audio Output: Double-check that your Aggregate Device is correctly configured in Audio MIDI Setup and that both BlackHole and your built-in output are selected. Verify the “Drift Correction” checkbox is selected for BlackHole in the Multi-Output Device settings.
Feedback or Echo: This usually happens if you’re also using your microphone as an input in Discord. Make sure your microphone is muted or disconnected, and rely solely on the virtual audio driver for audio input.
Low Audio Quality: Ensure that the sample rates are consistent across your devices in Audio MIDI Setup. 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz are common choices.
Audio is Too Loud or Too Quiet: Adjust the volume levels in the applications you’re sharing and in your system’s audio settings.

Conclusion: Audio Sharing Mastery Unlocked

Enabling screen share audio on Discord Mac requires a bit of setup, but once you’ve conquered the virtual audio driver, you’ll be sharing audio like a pro. Remember, BlackHole is your free and functional friend, while Loopback offers more advanced features for the audio aficionado. Experiment, troubleshoot, and don’t be afraid to dive into the Audio MIDI Setup rabbit hole. Happy sharing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding screen share audio on Discord with a Mac to enrich your knowledge and help you further.

1. Why doesn’t Discord natively support screen share audio on macOS?

macOS has security restrictions that prevent applications from directly capturing audio output from other applications. This is a privacy measure to prevent apps from eavesdropping without your explicit permission.

2. Is BlackHole completely free to use?

Yes, BlackHole is open-source and completely free. However, consider supporting the developer if you find it useful!

3. Is Loopback worth the price?

If you require more advanced audio routing capabilities, such as mixing multiple audio sources or applying effects, then Loopback is definitely worth the investment. It provides a much more user-friendly and powerful interface compared to BlackHole.

4. Can I use other virtual audio drivers besides BlackHole and Loopback?

Yes, there are other virtual audio drivers available, such as Soundflower. However, BlackHole and Loopback are generally considered the most reliable and actively maintained options. Soundflower can be less stable on newer macOS versions.

5. I’m getting a “No Input” error in Discord after setting up BlackHole. What do I do?

Double-check that you’ve created the Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI Setup and that BlackHole is selected as the input device in Discord’s Voice & Video settings. Also, ensure that the Discord application has microphone permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Microphone.

6. How can I adjust the volume of the shared audio?

You can adjust the volume of the shared audio through the volume controls in the application you are sharing (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, or a game). You can also adjust the overall system volume, which will affect all audio outputs.

7. Will my microphone still work while screen sharing with audio?

It depends on your configuration. If you’re using the Aggregate Device as your input, which includes both BlackHole and your built-in microphone, both audio streams might be sent to Discord. It’s generally recommended to mute your microphone in Discord and rely solely on the virtual audio driver for audio input to avoid feedback or unwanted noise.

8. Does this method work for all applications, including games?

Yes, this method should work for all applications that produce audio output on your Mac. It effectively captures the system’s overall audio output, so any sound produced by any application will be shared through Discord.

9. I’m still confused about Audio MIDI Setup. Are there any visual guides?

Absolutely! There are numerous video tutorials available on YouTube that walk you through the process of setting up BlackHole and configuring Audio MIDI Setup. Search for “BlackHole Discord Mac” to find relevant tutorials.

10. Will updating macOS break my audio sharing setup?

It’s possible that a macOS update could affect your audio configuration. After updating, it’s always a good idea to test your audio setup to ensure that everything is still working correctly. You may need to reconfigure Audio MIDI Setup or reinstall BlackHole if issues arise.

11. Can I use this method to record my screen and audio simultaneously?

Yes, by using the Multi-Output Device and a screen recording application like QuickTime, you can capture both the screen and the audio output simultaneously. Select the Multi-Output Device as your audio output in QuickTime’s screen recording settings.

12. Is there a way to share audio from a specific application only, instead of all system audio?

With Loopback, you can create more granular audio routing configurations. Loopback allows you to specify which applications’ audio should be captured and routed to Discord, giving you more control over what is shared. With BlackHole, it’s generally an all-or-nothing approach for the system’s audio output.