How do I route audio in Mac OS?

How do I send audio to different outputs in Mac OS? Is there a way to do that on Mac? So far, I haven't found a way.

For some background... I have been a Linux user for 20 years, and have had an M1 MacBook Pro for the last 18 months. My preferred configuration is to send all desktop alerts and audio (browser, meetings, etc.) to one soundcard (which was typically the machine's integrated interface) and to send audio from music applications to a second soundcard (usually PCI or USB).

And can I route signals in and out of audio applications (like a patchbay)? E.g. out of one application, into another, and selecting the soundcard inputs and outputs... It seems like an important O/S function for anyone working in audio, but I don't see any relevant options in the sound settings. I can't even see where to choose sample rate, buffer settings, etc. for my soundcard.