macOS has always lacked the default functionality to control individual app volume, resulting in several third-party solutions such as @RogueAmoebaVideos SoundSource. However, I wanted the ability to control those app volumes with an external controller, and so for a while, I settled on SoundDesk from @LoudLab . It used the fantastic MIDI plugin for the @elgato Stream Deck, and I was happy.
Then Elgato released Wave Link version 3, and everything has been simplified. In this video, I show you what I used to do, how it now works in Wave Link, and the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches.
0:00 Introduction: The Mac Audio Routing Problem
0:34 Hardware Setup and Physical Controllers
1:30 Exploring Mac Audio Software Options
2:43 Deep Dive into SoundDesk Application
4:04 Integrating SoundDesk with MIDI & Stream Deck
5:55 Advanced MIDI Configuration
7:26 Demonstration and Routing Test
8:36 Introducing Elgato Wave Link 3
11:05 Wave Link and Stream Deck Integration
13:00 Performance and CPU Usage Comparison
14:23 Audio Plugin Support
15:41 Summary and Final Verdict
Published: 1 April 2026