Routing sends audio into another application.
A virtual device is the right tool when OBS, a DAW, Discord, or another application must see Mac audio as an input.
Transcrio for Mac
A Soundflower alternative for Mac recording, without virtual audio routing.
Soundflower passes audio between applications. Transcrio records microphone and Mac audio directly, saves the source file, and can create a transcript and summary after you stop.
Short answer
Use a modern driver for routing. Use a recorder for a saved file.
If another app needs Mac audio as an input, replace Soundflower with a maintained virtual device such as BlackHole. If you only need to record the audio and keep the result, Transcrio avoids the virtual-device setup.
Recording leaves a file you can replay.
Transcrio captures the selected microphone and system audio, then saves the completed recording in a local session folder.
Soundflower and Transcrio
One moves audio between apps. The other records it.
Soundflower is a virtual audio extension, not a recorder. Its official release expects Audio MIDI Setup and a separate receiving app. Transcrio does not route audio, but it handles the recording and optional text in one menu bar app.
QuestionSoundflowerTranscrio
Primary job
Soundflower
Create a virtual audio device that passes sound from one application to another.
Transcrio
Record microphone and Mac audio into source files, with optional text afterward.
Another app can receive the audio
Soundflower
Yes. Select Soundflower as the output and as the receiving application's input.
Transcrio
No. Transcrio records directly and does not appear as a virtual input in other apps.
Saved recording
Soundflower
Requires a separate recording application such as QuickTime, a DAW, or OBS.
Transcrio
Saves an .m4a source recording locally after every completed session.
Microphone plus system audio
Soundflower
Requires an Aggregate Device or another app that mixes the microphone with the virtual device.
Transcrio
Captures the selected microphone and system audio in the same recording session.
Transcript and summary
Soundflower
Not included. Soundflower only moves audio between applications.
Transcrio
Optional text is created after recording and uses an internet connection.
Current Mac support
Soundflower
The official 2.0b2 release is for Big Sur 11.1 and earlier and says M1 is unsupported.
Transcrio
Requires macOS 15 or newer, including Apple Silicon Macs.
Soundflower release support, BlackHole routing, OBS capture, and Apple permission facts were checked against official sources on September 25, 2026. Product behavior can change.
What remains after recording
Keep the source audio before you decide what text you need.
Transcrio saves an .m4a recording after every completed session. Turn transcription on when you also want searchable text and an optional summary, or leave it off when the audio file is enough.
Capture the selected microphone and Mac system audio together.
Keep the source recording in the local folder you selected.
Keep separate microphone and system-audio files when that option is enabled.
Choose by the result
Keep a virtual input only when another app needs it.
Choose a maintained audio router when...
- A DAW, OBS, Discord, or another app must receive Mac audio as an input.
- You need a reusable virtual device for routing, monitoring, or a custom audio chain.
- You are comfortable configuring Audio MIDI Setup and the receiving application.
Choose a direct recorder when...
- The result should be a replayable audio file in a Mac folder.
- You want microphone and system audio captured without building a virtual device chain.
- You may also need a transcript and optional summary after the recording ends.
BlackHole for a virtual input
BlackHole is a maintained loopback driver for passing audio between apps on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
OBS for video or streaming
OBS 30 on macOS 13 or newer can capture desktop or application audio alongside scenes, video, and streaming controls.
Transcrio for source files and text
Transcrio records the audio directly and can add a transcript and summary after the session.
See how it works
Explore the recording, transcription, and summary workflow before you download.
Take a 1-minute interactive tour — no signup required.
Open in a new tabBefore you switch
Transcrio does not replace a virtual audio device.
Transcrio cannot send Mac audio into OBS, a DAW, Discord, or another receiving app. It does not record screen video, stream, mix custom channels, or add audio effects. Text is created after recording and requires an internet connection.
Transcrio requires macOS 15 or newer.
FAQ
Questions before replacing Soundflower.
Short answers about current Mac support, routing, direct recording, local files, and post-recording text.
Test direct recording
Save microphone and Mac audio from one short session.
Record both sources, then inspect the source file, transcript, and optional summary in your own folder.
7-day, 15-minute trial. Requires macOS 15 or newer.