Headphones output does not switch automatically in MacBook, when headphones are plugged in
Hi Maxers!
I have my new macbook pro with Catalina and I face a seemingly minor, yet very annoying bug, I did not remember having with my previous macbook and iMac. Everytime I plug in my headphones, I have to go and choose the output and input from the Audio Status, instead of this happening automatically. This does not happen with the default sound of the Mac, i.e. all other sounds are switching automatically from the natice speakers to the external output. Any help?
Max scans audio devices on start
You change the situation by plugging the phones
That changes built in driver from mic & speakers to headset
Max does not react to it
You must rescan the audio devices and select what you want
maybe setdriver message to dsp could help ...
to automate the switching
see :
https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/vignettes/messages_to_dsp
@Source Audio thank you for your reply. I had the impression that Max was automatically changing source in the past. Not sure if it is an issue of the new version or from Catalina...
I don't use Catalina, so can't tell,
but even on Capitan and max 7 I remember
I had to reset the audio devices when pluging headset on mac book air.
But as I seldom use built in hardware it is not so fresh in my memory.
did you try to set the driver using messages to dsp ?
I don't think Max was changing sources before.
I seem to remember that older Mac audio drivers announced the audio device to the OS simply has "built-in audio", not exposing to applications the differentiation between speakers and headphones. It was an automated process, when you inserted the audio jack, the driver would mute the speakers.
Nowadays, the driver announces the audio outputs (speakers, headphones) as different devices, hence the problem...
The OS changes automatically the settings for the applications that are using the OS's audio preferences, but not for applications that let you explicitly choose audio input and output devices. It does makes sense, although also resulting in unfortunate situations like the one you are describing. A good solution to this is a preference in Max like the one Logic Pro has, where instead of only being able to choose a specific device, you can also choose "System Setting", referring to the audio preferences of the OS.
It's your new Catalina machine. And yes - it's annoying.
@Source Audio I find it kind of a hustle seting up the driver using messages to dsp, but I may end up doing that
@Pedro Santos
yes, an option of "System Settings" audiodriver would be great. I don't understand why while I listen to spotify in the train with my headphones, and I try to program in Max, that suddenly the whole train has to listen to an oscillator that jumps out of a tutorial...
I also don't have catalina. Just an idea, maybe it's possible to bypass this problem by creating an Aggregate Device (in apple's Audio MIDI Setup) with headphones AND loudspeakers, which should behave then like the old-shool built-in output.
@ben sonic
good point, unless it plays from BOTH headphones AND loudspeakers when headphones are connected
I see, not a good idea...
any solution here?
older macs were simply only able to alternate between internal speaker, external speaker, and headphone, that is probably why it used to automatically switch.
now in the post-pci-board-era everything is different.