My congratulations to the gang at Rogue Amoeba on the release of Audio Hijack 4. Audio Hijack is my Swiss-Army Knife for audio on my Mac. Rarely do I run into a recording problem that I can’t solve with Audio Hijack. For example, when I record a Podcast, I make three recordings: 1) me alone; 2) the other person alone; 3) the two of us together. All three of those recordings are made with a single Audio Hijack workflow.
The new version keeps all of Audio Hijack’s features and adds a bunch of new features:
Powerful New Blocks
The “Mixer” block makes it easy to mix up to 5 sources, while the “Magic Boost” and “Simple Compressor” blocks provide potent audio adjustments with minimal configuration.
Improved Input and Output Blocks
To avoid inadvertently using sub-par built-in mics, the input block now requires you manually select a device, and it visually distinguishes built-in devices. As well, the Input and Output blocks also now include a “Track” option, to follow the default devices set system-wide.
Additional Block Improvements
All blocks now offer popovers, allowing them to be pinned for easy viewing and access when Audio Hijack is in the background. As well, block titles can now be edited, particularly helpful when using multiple blocks of the same type.
Manual Pipeline Editing
An oft-requested feature, it’s finally possible to edit the precise block layout of your sessions manually. We experimented with both modeless and moded manual connections, and have found this moded system to work best. Note that Undo is well supported, so fiddle without fear.
Scripting
Speaking of oft-requested features, Audio Hijack now supports scripting via JavaScript. The eventual goal is to allow you to configure and automate everything you’d want. For 4.0.0, we plan to have a solid skeleton, one which we’ll flesh out further in subsequent updates. Try it out in the “Scripting” tab of your sessions, as well as via the Shortcuts app on macOS 12 (Monterey), and let us know how it works for you.
Background Sessions
Audio Hijack sessions can now run without their window being open. Handy!
Menu Bar Control
In conjunction with background sessions, the new Audio Hijack status item provides global control from the menu bar. This global window can also be pinned, for instant access from within any application.
Always-On Sessions
With the new “Auto Run” control, you can configure sessions to run whenever Audio Hijack is launched, or even whenever your Mac launches. Have sessions running at all times, automatically.
Interface Refresh
Nearly all of the artwork within Audio Hijack has been updated and improved, and a brand new Light mode has been added. Sessions are now more robust, with Recordings and Timers contained within each session itself.
I’ve been using the updated version for the last several episodes of my podcasts and it is working without fail. If you are looking for some powerful audio tools on your Mac, look no further.