Audio Output
Signals & Sorcery plays everything on one stereo output: the scene you are composing, the arrangement and previews. There is nothing to route by hand. Any output works, from built-in speakers and headphones to a multi-output audio interface, on macOS (Core Audio) and Windows (WASAPI).
Where to set it
Open Settings → Audio In / Out.
Output device
The panel shows the current output device and how many channels it has.
- Follow system output device (on by default): Signals & Sorcery switches automatically when your computer's default output changes, for example when you plug in headphones or an interface.
- To use a different device, change the system output (the Change device in System Preferences link opens the macOS sound settings; on Windows use the Sound settings), or turn the checkbox off to stay on the current device.
Output channels
If your interface has more than one stereo pair, choose the pair under Output Channels (for example Channels 3-4). Devices with a single pair show Outputs 1-2.
| Pair | Outputs |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1-2 |
| 2 | 3-4 |
| 3 | 5-6 |
| etc. | ... |
If you pick a pair and later switch to a device that doesn't have it, Signals & Sorcery plays on that device's first pair and uses your pair again when a device that has it is connected.
Buffer size
Buffer Size (latency) sets how much audio the engine prepares ahead, from 128 to 4096 samples. Larger buffers are safer against clicks and dropouts on busy projects; smaller ones feel more immediate. If you hear crackles, raise it. A new buffer size takes effect after Restart engine now.
The engine runs at your device's sample rate.
Input
The same panel sets the input device for recording, a latency calibration, and the input gain with a level meter.
Master FX (monitor only)
The Master strip on the right of the transport bar has a MASTER FX toggle. It opens a chain of monitor-only effects for your listening setup, such as room correction or headphone virtualization. These effects are never printed to renders, freezes or exports, so your files stay clean.
Streaming
To send Signals & Sorcery to OBS or a similar app, make a virtual audio device your system output (BlackHole on macOS, VB-Audio Virtual Cable on Windows) and capture it in your streaming app. On macOS, a Multi-Output Device (Audio MIDI Setup) that combines BlackHole and your headphones lets you hear the stream too.
Bypass the Master FX while streaming: monitor-only correction is meant for your room or headphones, not for your audience.
If a device disappears
If the output device is unplugged, Signals & Sorcery falls back to the built-in output and shows a warning.
Configuration reference
Audio settings are stored with the following keys:
| Key | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
outputDeviceId | string | The selected output device |
outputPair | a channel pair (1-based, e.g. outputs 1-2) | The one stereo pair everything plays on |
followSystemDefault | boolean | Follow the system's default output device |
inputDeviceId | string | The input device for recording (empty = none) |
Settings saved by older versions (with separate cue and main outputs) are converted automatically when the app starts.