Sound Control
Sound Control is a macOS utility for controlling audio separately by application and output device.
What Sound Control is
Sound Control is a macOS utility for controlling audio separately by application and output device. Users can raise, lower, or mute individual apps, route an app to any output, adjust left-right balance, and downmix to mono. Each app and output can have its own effects, including 10-band or 31-band graphic EQ, parametric EQ, and Audio Units that support in-process loading. Thousands of searchable AutoEQ headphone calibrations load into AUNBandEQ for further adjustment. Hot keys control volume, mute, and EQ for the foreground app, while MIDI can control hot keys and app or device volume. Priority lists can select default input and output devices when hardware is connected. Virtual Volume adds keyboard control for DisplayPort monitors and HDMI TVs or receivers; Prevent Sleep keeps the default audio device awake. Do Not Disturb mutes background apps when a selected app is in front. Sound Control is paid, offers a 14-day trial, and supports macOS 11.4 or later. It is sold either as a Mac App Store subscription or a direct purchase, and those routes are not interchangeable.
Good
- Per-app volume, mute, and routing
- Separate effects for apps and outputs
- Supports 10-band and 31-band EQ
- Thousands of searchable AutoEQ calibrations
- 14-day trial available
Watch out
- No free plan
- macOS 11.4 or later required
- Mac App Store and direct purchases are not interchangeable
- Paid product with pricing not listed
Who it suits
Sound Control suits Mac users who need per-app volume, routing, equalization, and device-selection controls. It is also useful for users working with hot keys, MIDI, AutoEQ calibrations, or multiple output devices.
Verdict
Sound Control provides detailed per-app and per-device audio management on Mac. Its broad routing and control options come with a paid model and separate purchase channels.
Plans and prices
From Sound Control's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Control 3 (direct purchase) | — | Direct purchase; not interchangeable with Mac App Store purchases |
| Sound Control (Mac App Store) | — | Subscription; not interchangeable with direct purchases |
The facts
Each one read from Sound Control's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional controls
- Virtual Volume adds keyboard volume control for devices such as DisplayPort monitors and HDMI TVs or receivers; Prevent Sleep keeps the system default audio device awake.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Audio Unit support
- Sound Control supports Audio Units that support in-process loading.checked 7 Oct 2026
- AutoEQ
- The app includes thousands of searchable AutoEQ headphone calibrations that load into AUNBandEQ for further adjustment.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Balance
- Users can adjust left-right balance independently for each app and output device, and can downmix to mono.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The product page says Sound Control supports macOS 11.4 or later, including macOS 26 Tahoe.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Do Not Disturb
- When a selected app is in front, Do Not Disturb mutes all background apps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Effects and EQ
- Each app and output device can have separate effects settings, including 10-band or 31-band graphic EQ.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Hot keys and MIDI
- Hot keys control volume, mute, and EQ for the foreground app; MIDI can control hot keys and app or device volume.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Latest listed requirements
- Sound Control 3.4.1 release notes list macOS 11.4–27.x as requirements.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Sound Control provides per-app audio volume control, effects, and routing for Mac.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Routing
- Users can reroute an app’s audio to any audio output device.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support request form asks for the product, version, operating system, and Mac model, and says support staff will respond as soon as possible.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- Static Z Software is located in Rochester, NY, and was founded in 2013 by Dominic Feira.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Per-app volume
- Users can adjust or mute individual apps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Priority devices
- Sound Control can automatically select default input and output devices according to a priority list when a device is plugged in.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Sound Control
- 1
EQBase
Free planAPImacOS7.2From $39.99 a year - 2
Nahimic
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 3
FxSound
Free planOpen sourceWindows7.1Free plan - 4
PC Equalizer
Free planWindows7.1$20 one-time - 5
DeskFX Audio Enhancer
Free planmacOSWindows6.6From $34.99 a year - 6
JamesDSP
Free planAndroidAPILinux6.4Free plan