Routing Ableton Live’s Audio to SYQEL

On SYQEL Desktop, pick App Audio: Ableton Live in the audio source list. No virtual cable is needed. In the web app, or on a system too old for App Audio, send Ableton Live’s output through a virtual audio device instead.

SYQEL Desktop: pick Ableton Live directly

1. Play something in Ableton Live.
2. In SYQEL, open the audio source list at the left of the top bar. If Ableton Live isn’t listed, click the refresh button (↻) next to it.
3. Pick App Audio: Ableton Live. The entry uses the name your system gives the app, so it may include a version or edition.
4. On a Mac, the first time you pick an App Audio source, macOS asks for permission. Allow it.

You keep hearing Ableton Live as usual. App Audio needs macOS 14.4 or later, or Windows 10 build 19041 or later. On an older Windows build, pick your speakers or headphones instead to capture everything the computer plays.

On Windows, SYQEL hears Live only if it plays through Windows audio. If nothing comes through, open Options › Preferences › Audio and set Driver Type to MME/DirectX instead of an ASIO driver.

The web app, or an older system: use a virtual audio device

The web app can only hear a microphone or an audio input, not other apps. Send Ableton Live’s sound into a virtual audio device, then pick that device in SYQEL.

1. Set up a virtual audio device: BlackHole or Loopback on a Mac, or VB-Cable on Windows. Those guides also show how to keep hearing the music.
2. In Live, open the audio settings (Options › Preferences › Audio on Windows, Live › Settings › Audio on a Mac). Set Driver Type to MME/DirectX on Windows (not ASIO) or CoreAudio on a Mac, then set Audio Output Device to the virtual device (on Windows, CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)).
3. In SYQEL, pick the virtual device in the audio source list, for example BlackHole 2ch, Loopback Audio or CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable). The web app adds ”— system audio” to the name.

On a Mac, with Loopback you can instead add Live as a source in your Loopback device and leave Live’s settings alone.

If the Input meter at the right of the stage doesn’t move, see Troubleshooting audio detection.