Managing your devices

mixr keeps your microphone and audio output on the devices you prefer — instead of letting macOS switch them to whatever connected most recently. This page covers how that works and how to control it.

Your priority list

mixr keeps a ranked list of your preferred input and output devices. When several devices are available, it uses the highest one on your list that’s actually connected and working.

The Setup Advisor builds sensible priorities from your real hardware when you first run mixr, and you can adjust them anytime in the Devices panel.

It holds your device instead of drifting

By default, macOS tends to move your audio to whatever plugged in last. mixr holds you on your preferred device instead. When something connects or disconnects, mixr re-checks against your preferences — not just recency. See: Why does my mic keep switching?

If your preferred device disconnects, mixr falls back to your next choice — and tells you it did, so you’re never surprised.

Taking manual control

Sometimes you want a specific device right now, whatever your list says. In the device summary, choose Use now on any device to force it. mixr holds that choice and pauses its automatic switching until you’re ready to hand control back.

You’ll see whether mixr is Enforcing (managing your devices for you) or in Manual mode (holding the device you picked) — and you can switch between them with one tap.

It understands device quirks

mixr’s device handling accounts for how your hardware actually behaves:

• Close your laptop lid → mixr moves you off the built-in mic, which gets muffled when the lid is down.
• AirPods on a call → mixr can keep your mic on a better device so your AirPods don’t drop to call quality. See: AirPods and call quality
• An interface it can’t mute → mixr tells you honestly and points you to the hardware control. See: Why can’t mixr mute my audio interface?

Every decision is visible

The Devices panel shows you what mixr is doing and why — which device is active, which are ranked, and the recent decisions it’s made. mixr never switches your audio silently; you can always see the reasoning.

The goal: your audio stays where you want it, mixr handles the hardware juggling, and when something changes, you know about it.