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Automate Mac volume per app

To automate Mac volume per app, SoundDial adds six actions to the Shortcuts app and sounddial:// links, so a shortcut or a script can set, mute or route any app.

macOS can set the output volume from a shortcut, but only for the whole Mac. If a meeting shortcut should lower Spotify and leave the call alone, the system has nothing to offer.

Download on the Mac App Store€14.99 one-time purchase · macOS 14.2+ · no subscription
SoundDial 2.0 settings: keyboard shortcuts Control-Option-S and Control-Option-M, and sounddial:// links for automation. Cropped from the settings window.

The six Shortcuts actions

  • Set App Volume: pick an app and a level
  • Mute App: Mute, Unmute or Toggle
  • Mute All Apps
  • Apply Volume Profile
  • Set Output Device: the Mac's output
  • Set App Output Device: send one app to a device, like Play Through

The actions run without opening a SoundDial window. Put several in one shortcut, for example: apply your Work profile, mute Music, set the call app to 100%.

sounddial:// links

Anything that can open a URL can control SoundDial: a script, a launcher, a button on your desk. The commands are toggle, show, hide, volume (an app and a value from 0 to 200), mute, unmute, toggle-mute, mute-all, profile?name=, profile-save?name=, output?device=, route?app=&device=, eq?app=&preset=, balance?app=&value=, output-volume?value=, sample-rate?value= and settings?section=.

Settings > Shortcuts lists the links, next to the two global hotkeys (Control-Option-S and Control-Option-M).

Ideas to start with

  • A “Meeting” shortcut: apply a profile with music low, then set the call app's output to your headset
  • Two links for late night: eq with the Late Night preset for your video app, and output-volume a bit lower
  • A desk button that runs sounddial://mute-all

What stays manual

Profiles do not store which device an app plays through, so add a Set App Output Device step when a setup needs one. Calls are handled on their own: “Lower other apps during calls” works without any shortcut.

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FAQ

Does a SoundDial window open when an action runs?

No. The Shortcuts actions work without opening a window.

Can a link boost an app above 100%?

Yes. The volume command takes values from 0 to 200, like the slider.

Can I save the current mix from a script?

Yes. sounddial://profile-save?name= saves the current mix under that name.

SoundDial: a volume slider and mute button for every app.

€14.99 one-time purchase · macOS 14.2+ · no subscription

Download on the Mac App Store