VolumeHub

Product Introduction

1. Definition: VolumeHub is a native macOS menu bar utility application designed for granular audio management. It falls into the technical category of system audio control software, specifically enabling per-application volume adjustment and equalization.
2. Core Value Proposition: VolumeHub exists to solve macOS's fundamental limitation: the inability to independently control individual application volume levels system-wide. It provides per-app volume control directly from the menu bar, eliminating the need for complex workarounds or digging through System Settings. Crucially, it achieves this using Apple's native Audio Tap API, ensuring zero kernel extensions, no audio drivers, and native macOS integration.

Main Features

1. Per-App Volume Control: VolumeHub provides individual volume sliders (0-100%) for every active audio-producing application. This works by leveraging Apple's Audio Tap API to intercept and adjust audio streams at the system level before they reach the output device, requiring no third-party drivers or kernel extensions. Changes are applied in real-time.
2. Per-App 10-Band Equalizer: Users can shape the sound signature of each application independently using a precise 10-band graphic EQ. This feature includes 17 built-in presets and allows users to create, save, and apply custom EQ profiles per app, all processed locally via the Audio Tap API.
3. Focus Audio (Auto-Ducking): This feature intelligently lowers (ducks) the volume of non-essential applications when a designated "focus" app (e.g., Zoom, Discord, Teams) becomes active and outputs sound. It automates volume management during calls or focused listening sessions without manual slider adjustments.
4. Live Audio Meters: Provides real-time visual feedback on audio output levels for each application. These meters dynamically show which apps are currently producing sound and their relative volume intensity, aiding in audio troubleshooting and level balancing.
5. Output Device Picker: Allows instant switching of the system's primary audio output device directly from the VolumeHub menu bar popover. This bypasses the need to navigate through macOS System Settings for quick audio routing changes.
6. Native macOS Design & View Modes: Built entirely with SwiftUI, VolumeHub offers a seamless, native macOS user experience. It features three distinct view modes: Compact (minimalist sliders), Comfort (sliders + app names), and Full (sliders, names, meters, EQ access) – users can switch modes with one click to match their workflow density preference.
7. Simple & Pro Modes: Simplifies the interface based on user needs. Simple Mode offers basic per-app volume sliders and device switching. Pro Mode unlocks advanced features like the per-app EQ, Live Audio Meters, Focus Audio configuration, and detailed output routing controls.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: macOS lacks built-in, system-wide per-application volume control, forcing users to adjust volume within individual apps (if available) or suffer from imbalanced audio levels (e.g., loud music drowning out meeting audio).
2. Target Audience: This tool is essential for multitaskers, streamers & content creators, podcasters & audio engineers, remote workers & professionals in meetings, musicians, accessibility users, and any Mac power user needing precise audio management.
3. Use Cases:
   • Lowering Spotify volume during a Discord call without muting it completely.
   • Boosting game sound effects while reducing background music volume.
   • Applying a bass boost EQ to a music player while keeping system sounds flat.
   • Quickly identifying and muting an unknown application producing sound via live meters.
   • Instantly switching audio output from headphones to speakers during a presentation.
   • Automatically ducking browser noise when a Zoom meeting starts.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike alternatives (e.g., Background Music, SoundSource) that often rely on deprecated kernel extensions (KEXTs) or audio drivers (which can break with macOS updates and pose security risks), VolumeHub exclusively uses Apple's sanctioned Audio Tap API. This results in enhanced system stability, improved security, lower resource overhead (no background processes), and guaranteed compatibility with future macOS versions. Its native SwiftUI design also offers superior integration and feel.
2. Key Innovation: VolumeHub's core innovation is its robust implementation of Apple's Audio Tap API for comprehensive, real-time, per-app volume and EQ control without kernel-level access. This approach, combined with features like Focus Audio automation and three density modes, provides a uniquely secure, efficient, and user-friendly solution for macOS audio management unavailable elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does VolumeHub require special permissions or kernel extensions? No, VolumeHub is built entirely on Apple's native Audio Tap API, requiring no kernel extensions (KEXTs), no audio drivers, and no special permissions beyond standard macOS microphone access for audio input monitoring (used by the Audio Tap API itself). It operates entirely within Apple's security sandbox.
2. Is VolumeHub private and secure? Yes, VolumeHub has a strict zero data collection policy. It collects no analytics, no telemetry, makes no network requests, and includes no third-party SDKs. All audio processing and settings occur locally and exclusively on your Mac, ensuring 100% privacy.
3. What macOS versions and hardware does VolumeHub support? VolumeHub requires macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later and runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 series) and Intel-based Macs. It leverages modern macOS frameworks like Audio Tap API and SwiftUI.
4. How does Focus Audio work in VolumeHub? Focus Audio automatically reduces (ducks) the volume of other applications when a user-designated "focus" app (like Zoom or Discord) becomes active and outputs audio. You configure which app triggers Focus Audio and the ducking level within VolumeHub's settings. No manual slider adjustments are needed during calls.
5. Can I use VolumeHub alongside other audio software? Generally, yes. However, because VolumeHub uses the system-level Audio Tap API, it may interact with other software attempting to manipulate the same audio streams. VolumeHub is designed to be the primary system-wide volume/EQ controller. It typically works well with DAWs or players using their own internal routing.