Sound with two thunderbolt displays.

Question

Level 1

63 points

Sound with two thunderbolt displays.

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro (retina) with two thunderbolt displays. (I really need the screen real estate...) While so far, I love this system, I'm mildly disappointed that the sound output seems limited to either the MacBook, or one of the two displays. Is there any way to get the sound through both displays, Ideally perhaps, using the outermost speakers for the right/left respectively, and muting the "innermost?"

While i know that the dual display use may not be all that common, for the amount of money it costs, I'd have thought a slightly more thoughtful sound ouput might have been considered for those who do.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Sep 27, 2012 6:21 AM

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Answer 1

leejiles

Level 1

0 points

Dec 20, 2015 7:56 AM in response to mokantx

@mokantx - were you able to get your dual sound to work properly? Just got a 2nd TB display and have same issue...along w other problems but likely more appropriate for a different string...

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Answer 2

Sep 27, 2012 9:40 PM in response to mokantx

It can be done with Audio Hijack Pro

<http://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro/>

You can hijack audio from a single application, or all audio, then use 4FX Effects in the Effects tab.

For example you can put Channel Tweaker and Auxiliary Device Output in both the top and second rows.

Set the top Auxiliary Device Output to the left display's audio and the other to the right display's.

Set the mode of he top Channel Tweaker to Duplicate Left, and the bottom to Duplicate Right.

This should put the left audio on both speakers of the left display and the right audio on both speakers of the right display.

For greater stereo separation, set the top to Kill Right and the bottom to Kill Left. This should put left audio on only the left speaker of the left display and right audio on only the right speaker of the right display.

Use Audio Hijack Pro's Mute button, so the audio comes only through Audio Hijack Pro.

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Answer 3

mokantx Author

Level 1

63 points

Sep 28, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Malcom

Thank you. It's nice to know it's at least possible. I wish that Apple had a solution that didn't require I go out and purchase 3rd party software to make it happen. I have a pair of external speakers I could use, but given how nice these displays are, it would seem to kinda of destroy the overall look if that's what we have to do.

I appreciate the tip however, and maybe when I get a few bucks, I'll have to go that route.

mo

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Answer 4

Dec 10, 2015 8:37 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

I was able to do this for free with the latest version of Audio Hijack.

Edit - nevermind. It works for a few minutes for free, then overlays static 😟.

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