RODE Virtual Channels

About

RODE Virtual Channels (Virtual Devices) lets you treat software on your Mac as if it were a microphone or instrument connected to your RØDECaster Pro II. Instead of relying on each app's own volume controls, you can assign software to a fader and control all of its audio from one place. The feature also allows effects and processing, custom routing, and recording each app's audio separately. Four virtual devices (Game, Music, A and B) are available, and they are functionally identical, so any software can be assigned to any channel; the names are only an organisational aid.

Setup involves installing the Virtual Device Driver and restarting your computer, updating your RØDECaster's firmware, connecting it via USB 1, and enabling "Expanded" on USB 1 Input. You then select 'System (RODECaster)' as your audio output. On macOS there is no native way to view all running software and assign each one to an output; assignment must be done through each app's own audio output settings, and some apps, including Spotify and Google Chrome, do not offer these settings. Because your computer now handles some routing and mixing, audio artefacts may occasionally occur; the driver's latency setting can be changed from 'Ultra-low' to 'Low' to help. A Bypass option in the system tray temporarily restores the standard multitrack output for use with a DAW, while keeping your fader assignments intact.