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BackgroundMusic

github.com/kyleneideck/BackgroundMusic Mac Apps Open-source projectOpen source

Background Music adjusts per-app volume on macOS and can pause music automatically.

Visit BackgroundMusic 24 alternatives
github.com/kyleneideck/BackgroundMusic
BackgroundMusic homepage screenshot

About BackgroundMusic

Background Music is a macOS audio utility that provides per-application volume sliders, automatically pauses and resumes music when other audio plays, and allows system audio recording. It sets itself as the default output device when started and restores the previous setting on quit.

It requires macOS 10.13 or later and is still in alpha. Auto-pause works only with supported players, including iTunes, Spotify, VLC, VOX, Decibel, Hermes, Swinsian, and GPMDP.

Key features

  • Per-application volume sliders, including boost above maximum
  • Auto-pause and resume supported music players when other audio plays
  • Record system audio via QuickTime using Background Music input
  • Combine system audio and microphone into aggregate device for recording
  • Sets itself as default output device on launch, restores on quit
  • Install via downloadable package, Homebrew, or source build
Best for: Mac users who need per-app volume control, automatic pausing of supported music players, and system audio recording.
Good for
  • No restart required to install
  • Available as open source code
  • Offers package download, Homebrew install, and source build options
Watch out for
  • Still in alpha
  • Requires macOS 10.13 or later
  • Auto-pause works only with listed supported music players

BackgroundMusic at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
macOS
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
open sourcemacos

BackgroundMusic alternatives

Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.

All 24 alternatives

FineTune

github.com/ronitsingh10/FineTune

FineTune controls per-app volume on macOS and supports audio routing, multiple output devices, and a 10-band equalizer.

open sourcemacos
Open source
24 alternatives

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BackgroundMusic FAQ

Which music players work with auto-pause?
iTunes, Spotify, VLC, VOX, Decibel, Hermes, Swinsian, and GPMDP.
How do I record system audio?
With Background Music running, open QuickTime Player, select File > New Audio Recording, then select Background Music as the input device.
How do I record system audio and a microphone together?
Create an aggregate device that combines your input device, usually Built-in Input, with the Background Music device using Audio MIDI Setup under /Applications/Utilities.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 10, 2026 · How we rank