Ableton Forum

On my iMac: Whenever I have Ableton open and I plug my headphones in, Ableton automatically switches from the iMac speaker output to the headphones output. Same goes when I take the headphones out, Ableton automatically switches then to the speakers. *Wup, Wup*

Now, on my MacBook Pro: I open Ableton, plug my headphones in, start playing with an instrument and the sound comes through my MacBook speakers. I have to manually change the output in the setting to my headphones which is pissing me off. And if I unplug my headphones I get the message "The audio engine is off. Please click here to chose an audio device from Live's Audio Preferences"


Some information:
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Processor: 2,6 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
OSX Version: MacOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6

Ableton Version: Ableton Live 10 Standart 10.0.3 (Auto-Updates Enabled)


Hopefully, someone can help me. And please, I really don't want to read something like: "Well then just change it manually jesus christ... ."

Doesn't sound like a Live issue at all and i'm not a Mac user but it sounds like Laptop 1 has a single audio output shared between the speakers and the headphone which switches automatically when headphones are plugged in and in case 2 it sounds like there are 2 independent outputs which can operate and be switched independently (better).

Live doesn't just switch to audio outputs automatically, that is handled by the OS so your issue is the way your Mac behaves.

jestermgee has guessed correctly—the 2018 MacBook Pros handle the built-in speakers and the headphone port independently (when headphones are connected).

i only just discovered this myself this morning.

so, yes, you'll have to manually switch outputs...

jestermgee has guessed correctly—the 2018 MacBook Pros handle the built-in speakers and the headphone port independently (when headphones are connected).

Oh wow... so there is no way to "fix" that? Don't get me wrong, it's not a thing that I can't live without...it's just annoying to do the extra 3 clicks everytime I plug my headphones in ^^

Something I forgot to point out is that if I watch YouTube and plug my headphones in, then I don't have to manually change anything. My MacBook does it automatically

that is because MacOS does that automatically. if Live has a valid audio interface, it will not automatically change to another interface when it appears.

I found the solution:

1) open "Audio MIDI Setup" (search in Spotlight)

2) in bottom left click "+" and "Create Aggregate Device"

3) rename the device to "AudioSwitch" or whatever you like

4) select the "External Headphones" and "MacbookBro Speakers" checkboxes (make sure External Headphones is first)

5) close "Audio MIDI Setup"

6) open Ableton and select "AudioSwitch" as your audio output device

"Create Aggregate Device" does the trick. Thank you @sinjinhawke!!

THANK YOUUU!! Above works ^^

Awesome, @sinjinhawke! Works great and saved me from lots of fits of rage!

Awesome, thanks!

Genius!

awesome workaround -- THANKS!!

sinjinhawke wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 27, 2019 5:40 pm

I found the solution:

1) open "Audio MIDI Setup" (search in Spotlight)

2) in bottom left click "+" and "Create Aggregate Device"

3) rename the device to "AudioSwitch" or whatever you like a

4) select the "External Headphones" and "MacbookBro Speakers" checkboxes (make sure External Headphones is first)

5) close "Audio MIDI Setup"

6) open Ableton and select "AudioSwitch" as your audio output device

Legend! Solved my problem.

Wow!

I have the same issue on Windows. Any similar techniques?