2 channel vs 16 channel

[BruceAC]

As a new user of Blackhole, I am curious regarding all the differences between 2 and 16 channel other than the number of channels. Is 16 channel intended for MIDI and 2 channel for analog? I am not connecting any external audio devices to my Mac, so is 2 channel the best choice or is there some possible reason I should install the 16 channel version? If I want to record 2channel streaming or system audio and simultaneously record from the built in microphone, do I need more than 2 channels or do I just enable a multi input or output device to record both inputs?

[devinroth]

No difference except the number of channels. But some apps handle 2ch different than 16ch.

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On Feb 4, 2021, 7:15 AM -0800, BruceAC ***@***.***>, wrote: As a new user of Blackhole, I am curious regarding all the differences between 2 and 16 channel other than the number of channels. Is 16 channel intended for MIDI and 2 channel for analog? I am not connecting any external audio devices to my Mac, so is 2 channel the best choice or is there some possible reason I should install the 16 channel version? If I want to record 2channel streaming or system audio and simultaneously record from the built in microphone, do I need more than 2 channels or do I just enable a multi input or output device to record both inputs? — You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.

[threesixtycreative]

Hi Devin

I think the crux of the question for newbies is, which version should a general user install?

[devinroth]

2ch. Maybe I should make a note on the website. Devin

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On Apr 30, 2021, 1:21 PM -0700, threesixtycreative ***@***.***>, wrote: Hi Devin I think the crux of the question for newbies is, which version should a general user install? — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.

[threesixtycreative]

Thanks for the quick reply, Devin!

[yuriteixeira]

Hey @devinroth 👋 Would you mind to leave in the docs some example use-cases where 16ch would be useful?

[devinroth]

Basically any time you are using more than 2 channels, 5.1 or 7.1 or sending audio between daws. For most people 2ch is all they need. Stick with 2 unless you know that you need more. Devin Roth

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On Jan 21, 2022, 10:57 AM -0800, Yuri Teixeira ***@***.***>, wrote: Hey @devinroth 👋 Would you mind to leave in the docs some example use-cases where 16ch would be useful? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[joakimechio]

Hi Devin,
Is there a way i can send different audio sources, for instance an input from my soundcard and the output from my DAW to Blackhole 16ch and get those separately, like you can do with Loopback for instance? I need to have a channel with mic (plugged to my soundcard) and one with my DAW in OBS and I can't figure out how to do it with Blackhole.

[drewbk99]

@devinroth Would using the 16ch version create much larger screen recording file sizes in Quicktime Player than using the 2ch version, even if only 2 channels of audio would be played in both instances? Not sure if the 16ch version would write a bunch of empty data for the 14 unused channels in the recording file or anything like that.

[devinroth]

16 channels of uncompressed audio but always be larger than two channels. Whether or not you actually record those 14 unused channels depends on the app that is recording. I can’t speak to that specifically. Devin

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On Jan 20, 2023, 6:24 PM -0800, drewbk99 ***@***.***>, wrote: @devinroth Would using the 16ch version create much larger screen recording file sizes than the 2ch version, even if only 2 channels of audio would be played in both instances? Not sure if the 16ch version would write a bunch of empty data for the 14 unused channels in the recording file or anything like that. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>