SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba is a macOS taskbar application, which provides an upgraded alternative to the standard macOS Sound Preferences. Recently updated to version 4.2, it allows instant access to the input, output and sound effect levels available in the System Preferences but it takes things further. it allows the same control of level, mute and routing as found on the inputs, outputs and system sounds on a per Application basis. So you can offset the relative levels of your browser compared to your DAW from one control panel.

Taking things further you can use the built-in Graphic EQ, Magic Boost, a compression effect, and Volume Overdrive, which allows you to just keep turning it up to 400% regardless of clipping. this sounds like a bad idea until you’ve tried to listen to lightly compressed speech on a 13” MacBook Pro! You can also host AU plugins either systemwide or on a per-application basis. This is seriously useful if you use speaker correction software like Sonarworks or even if you want to listen to TIDAL through a Pultec emulation.

Find out more about SoundSource in the video tour.