SoundDesk: An Online Mixing Desk for MacOS

Running an internet radio station requires seamless audio management, high-quality mixing, and real-time processing to deliver the best possible listening experience. Traditional physical mixing desks can be expensive and cumbersome, but with modern software solutions like SoundDesk, broadcasters can achieve professional-grade audio mixing using only their Mac. SoundDesk provides a powerful online mixing desk that allows users to control multiple audio sources, apply effects, and broadcast live with ease. In this guide, we’ll explore what SoundDesk is, why it’s an excellent choice for online radio stations, and how to configure and use it effectively.

What is SoundDesk?
Why use SoundDesk for your radio?
Configure SoundDesk for your online radio
How to use SoundDesk for your online radio

What is SoundDesk?

SoundDesk is a professional-grade virtual mixing console designed for MacOS. It allows users to manage and route multiple audio sources seamlessly, making it an essential tool for musicians, podcasters, broadcasters, and online radio station owners. With SoundDesk, you can mix, record, and broadcast audio with precision and ease, all from your Mac. The software provides a user-friendly interface while offering advanced features like multi-channel routing, real-time effects, and integration with third-party plugins.

SoundDesk is available for $30 (excluding local taxes), and you can try a 15-day free trial version.

Why Use SoundDesk for Your Online Radio Station?

Running an online radio station requires smooth audio management, and SoundDesk provides a reliable solution for mixing and broadcasting high-quality sound.

One of the key benefits of this online mixing desk is its ability to integrate multiple audio inputs, including microphones, music players, VoIP calls, and pre-recorded content. This allows radio hosts to seamlessly switch between different sources during live broadcasts. Additionally, SoundDesk offers real-time audio processing, enabling users to adjust equalization, apply compression, and add effects to enhance the overall audio quality.

Virtual audio routing is another major advantage of SoundDesk. It allows users to connect different applications and hardware devices without needing additional physical mixing consoles. This simplifies the broadcasting setup and provides greater flexibility in managing audio sources.

SoundDesk is also compatible with popular broadcasting software such as BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool), Rocket Broadcaster, and OBS Studio.

How to Configure SoundDesk for Your Online Radio Station

Setting up SoundDesk for your online radio station requires a few essential steps.

1. Install SoundDesk and Virtual Audio Drivers

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to download and install SoundDesk. To route audio between applications, you will also need to install a virtual audio driver such as SoundDesk Virtual Cable. These drivers allow seamless audio routing, enabling you to send your mixed audio output to broadcasting software.

2. Configure Your Mac Audio Settings

Head over to your Mac’s audio settings by clicking on the Apple logo, then go to System Preferences > Sound. You’ll then need to select SoundDesk Audio Driver as the device for both input and output.

Don’t forget to keep the Audio Setup window open!

3. Configure Your SoundDesk Audio Settings

To configure your audio settings in SoundDesk, open the app and go to the Audio Tab. Then change the Input Interface and Output Interface to “All-In-One Device”.

4. Use Audio From Your Apps To SoundDesk

If you want to use the audio from apps on your Mac, you’ll need to assign them to SoundDesk’s inputs.

Under the Audio Tab > Virtual Driver, click on Matrix. You should see all of your open apps appear on the left hand side of the Audio Driver Matrix. If an app doesn’t appear in the list, make sure that it’s open and running on your Mac !

Note: The Audio Driver Matrix will open all of your app, even those that have nothing to do with audio. You can simply ignore them and focus on the apps that you want to use.

• Assign your apps to an input by checking a box in one of the columns. (We recommend that you only assign one app per input.)
• When you’ve finished assigning your apps, you can close the Matrix.
• Go to File > New Desk to assign your inputs to channels within the SoundDesk mixer by choosing the inputs from the Virtual Audio Driver options. 

For example: If you assigned your Music player to inputs 3-4, on the A input for a channel in the Virtual Audio Driver you’ll need to select “input 3”. On the B input for a channel, select “input 4”.

To help you easily know what each channel and fader of your online mixing desk is for, you can rename each channel with whatever app has been assigned to it!

5. Set Up Your Outputs

You now need to configure your outputs. For the PFL output:

• Left: external headphones output 1
• Right: external headphones output 2

Next, do the same thing to the Stereo output:

• Left: external headphones output 1
• Right: external headphones output 2

Lastly, change your master fader output (at the bottom) to SoundDesk Virtual Audio Cable (Stereo):

6. Configure BUTT

To configure your radio stream in BUTT, you can follow the steps in our tutorial.

Once your radio stream has been configured, head over to BUTT under Settings > Audio. Under Main Audio Settings, change your input device to SoundDesk Virtual Audio Cable.

Your SoundDesk audio should now come through to BUTT. All that’s left to do is press the play button in BUTT to start broadcasting live on your radio station. Your radio stream will be controlled by your online mixing desk!

How to Use SoundDesk for Your Online Radio Station

1. Managing Live Audio Sources

SoundDesk provides an intuitive mixer interface that allows you to control multiple audio sources in real-time. You can mute or unmute sources, adjust volume levels, and apply effects as needed to ensure a smooth broadcast.

2. Playing Music and Pre-Recorded Content

To incorporate music and pre-recorded content into your radio station, add a media player such as iTunes or VLC as an input source. In SoundDesk, adjust the channel levels and routing settings to blend pre-recorded content seamlessly with live audio sources.

3. Handling Live Calls and Interviews

If you plan to feature live calls or interviews on your station, you can integrate VoIP applications like Zoom or Skype as an audio source. SoundDesk’s routing features allow you to separate caller audio from the main mix, ensuring clear communication and professional-quality interviews.

4. Enhancing Audio with Effects and Plugins

SoundDesk supports real-time audio processing, enabling you to apply built-in effects or external plugins. You can use equalizers to balance frequencies, compressors to maintain consistent audio levels, and reverb or limiters to refine the overall sound output.

5. Monitoring and Adjusting Broadcast in Real-Time

It is essential to monitor your broadcast to maintain high-quality audio. Use headphones to listen to your output mix and make real-time adjustments as necessary. This ensures that your radio station delivers a professional and engaging listening experience.

SoundDesk is a powerful and versatile tool for managing an online radio station on MacOS. Its ability to mix multiple audio sources, apply real-time effects, and route audio seamlessly makes it an excellent choice for broadcasters. By setting up SoundDesk correctly and utilizing its features efficiently, you can elevate your online radio station’s production quality and deliver a professional listening experience to your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions