Installing Soundflower on Intel Macs with Big Sur or Monterey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Soundflower is a vital tool for audio routing on macOS, allowing users to route audio between applications seamlessly. This is especially useful for recording, streaming, and other audio tasks.

Installation Overview for Intel Macs with Big Sur or Monterey:

1. Download: Visit the Soundflower GitHub page and download the latest version.
2. Install: Open the installer package and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Security Settings: If prompted, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, and allow the installation.
4. Restart: Restart your Mac to complete the installation.
5. Configuration: Open the Soundflowerbed application from the Applications folder to start routing audio.

Importance and Compatibility:

Soundflower is crucial for creating complex audio setups by acting as a virtual audio device, enabling applications to pass audio to each other. It is compatible with macOS Big Sur and Monterey on Intel Macs, though some users may need to adjust security settings during installation.

Downloading Soundflower

You can download the latest version of Soundflower for Intel Macs running Big Sur or Monterey from the official GitHub repository maintained by mattingalls. Here are the steps:

1. Visit the GitHub Releases Page: Go to the Soundflower GitHub releases page.
2. Download the File: Look for the latest release and download the Soundflower.kext.zip file.
3. Install the Extension:
   • Unzip the downloaded file.
   • Open Terminal and type the following commands:

     sudo mv ~/Downloads/Soundflower.kext /Library/Extensions
     sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext
     sudo kextload /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext
     

Importance of Official Repositories:

• Security: Official repositories ensure the software is free from malware.
• Updates: They provide the latest updates and bug fixes.
• Support: Community and developer support is more accessible.

Always download from trusted sources to avoid security risks and ensure you get the most stable version of the software.

Preparing for Installation

Here are the necessary preparations before installing Soundflower on Intel Macs with Big Sur or Monterey:

1. Ensure Administrative Privileges: Make sure you have administrative access to your Mac.

2. Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP):

   • Restart your Mac and hold down Cmd + R to enter Recovery Mode.
   • Open Terminal from the Utilities menu.
   • Type csrutil disable and press Enter.
   • Restart your Mac.

3. Download Soundflower: Go to the Soundflower GitHub page and download the latest version.

4. Install Soundflower:

   • Open the downloaded installer package.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

5. Re-enable SIP (Optional but recommended):

   • Restart your Mac and hold down Cmd + R to enter Recovery Mode again.
   • Open Terminal from the Utilities menu.
   • Type csrutil enable and press Enter.
   • Restart your Mac.

These steps should help you prepare for a smooth installation of Soundflower.

Installing Soundflower

Sure, here are the step-by-step instructions for installing Soundflower on Intel Macs running Big Sur or Monterey:

1. Download Soundflower:

   • Go to the Soundflower GitHub page and download the latest version of Soundflower.

2. Open the Installer Package:

   • Locate the downloaded .dmg file and double-click to open it.
   • Inside the mounted disk image, double-click the Soundflower.pkg file to start the installation.

3. Run the Installer:

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.
   • You may be prompted to enter your administrator password.

4. Address Security Prompts:

   • During installation, you might see a security prompt saying the software cannot be installed because it is from an unidentified developer.
   • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
   • In the General tab, you should see a message about Soundflower being blocked. Click the Allow button next to this message.

5. Complete the Installation:

   • Return to the installer and continue the installation process.
   • Once the installation is complete, you may need to restart your Mac.

6. Post-Installation Steps:

   • After restarting, open the Soundflowerbed application from the Applications folder to manage Soundflower settings.

7. Verify Installation:

   • Go to System Preferences > Sound and check if Soundflower appears as an option under the Output and Input tabs.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install Soundflower on your Intel Mac running Big Sur or Monterey.

Post-Installation Configuration

Here are the steps:

1. Install Soundflower:

   • Download and install Soundflower from a trusted source.

2. Open Audio MIDI Setup:

   • Go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

3. Create Multi-Output Device:

   • Click the + button at the bottom left and select Create Multi-Output Device.
   • Check Built-in Output and Soundflower (2ch).

4. Set Soundflower as Output Device:

   • Open System Preferences > Sound > Output.
   • Select Soundflower (2ch).

5. Set Soundflower as Input Device:

   • Go to System Preferences > Sound > Input.
   • Select Soundflower (2ch).

6. Verify Functionality:

   • Play audio from any source.
   • Open an application that uses audio input (e.g., QuickTime Player, Audacity).
   • Ensure the audio is being routed correctly through Soundflower.

This should get Soundflower up and running on your Intel Mac with Big Sur or Monterey!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are common issues and solutions for installing Soundflower on Intel Macs with Big Sur or Monterey:

1. Installation Fails:

   • Solution: Use the manual installation method:

     sudo mv ~/Downloads/Soundflower.kext /Library/Extensions
     sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext
     sudo kextload /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext
     ```[^1^][3].
     
     

2. Kernel Extension Not Loading:

   • Solution: Restart your Mac. If the issue persists, ensure you have allowed the extension in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.

3. Soundflower Missing After Reboot:

   • Solution: Reinstall Soundflower after each reboot or consider using an alternative like Blackhole.

4. Installer Not Opening:

   • Solution: Hold the Control key and click the installer to open it, then select “Open” from the context menu.

5. Compatibility Issues:

   • Solution: Consider using Blackhole, which is compatible with Big Sur and Monterey.

Installing Soundflower on Intel Macs (Big Sur/Monterey)

To install Soundflower on your Intel Mac running Big Sur or Monterey, download and install it from a trusted source.

Open Audio MIDI Setup by going to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

Create a Multi-Output Device by clicking the + button at the bottom left and selecting Create Multi-Output Device, then check Built-in Output and Soundflower (2ch).

Set Soundflower as your output device in System Preferences > Sound > Output, and set it as your input device in System Preferences > Sound > Input.

Verify functionality by playing audio from any source and opening an application that uses audio input.

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

If you encounter issues during installation, use the manual installation method:

sudo mv ~/Downloads/Soundflower.kext /Library/Extensions; sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext; sudo kextload /Library/Extensions/Soundflower.kext

If your kernel extension is not loading, restart your Mac and ensure you have allowed the extension in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.

If Soundflower is missing after a reboot, reinstall it or consider using an alternative like Blackhole.

If the installer won’t open, hold the Control key and click the installer to open it, then select