What is a Virtual Audio Cable? It’s an application used by many users (usually with older Windows operating systems) to induce a stereo mix to their computer’s built-in audio software. Some computers may have compatibility issues with stereo systems. Thankfully, applications like Virtual Audio Cable exists. However, it’s not the only option on the Internet to help you with your stereo problems. There are Virtual Audio Cable alternatives you can try out.
“Where can I begin to search for a Virtual Cable alternative?”
Searching around the World Wide Web for a Virtual Audio Cable free alternative can be a daunting task to accomplish. There are hundreds of options out there to assist you in creating a virtual stereo mix from your computer. Instead of spending countless hours on the Internet trying to find a suitable alternative, all you have to do is continue reading through this page.
Boost your computer’s audio performance.
If you want to play music with better sound quality, then you need to have a Virtual Audio Cable. Taking advantage of alternatives to the program can help you liven up chat rooms or other applications as you play high-quality music in the background. We’re here to help you in achieving that goal. We’ve prepared a list of the top 10 alternatives to the Virtual Audio Cable software for you to check out and try.
1) WonderShare Streaming Audio Recorder
Online streaming became a trend when social media platforms enable live shows on YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and other video and audio streaming sites. With that in mind, recording and streaming audio can be complicated for some beginners. The first alternative for the Virtual Audio Cable app on this list is Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder.
This software can record any audio coming from a PC. You can even play tracks coming from an online source with the help of this app.
Remember to always set the input and output of the software first before you start a certain program as the source of your audio. Once everything’s properly set, you can record any audio you want in real time. The program allows you to record different types of formats including MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, and OGG. The settings are customizable for sample rates, encoder audio channels, and bitrates. You can also record and split audio files into several parts.
2) Rdio
Rdio is a known audio streaming service wherein music and audio lovers come to stream from their favorite radio channels. Now, the developers also released a desktop application for users who don’t want to rely on their web browsers.
This application allows users to socialize while managing their music. You can share your playlists and even let other people listen to your current track. The software even perfectly emulates the interface found on its website. In here, you can create playlists, manage music libraries, and explore new music and audio to satisfy your audiophile cravings.
There’s also a social network integration feature wherein you can sync your Facebook, Twitter, or Last.fm account with Rdio. Friends from your social media accounts can see and listen to what you’re currently jamming into and you can do the same for their tracks currently playing from their app.
3) Spotify
You may know Spotify as one of the known music and audio streaming apps out there. However, some see it as one of the best Virtual Audio Cable alternatives. One of the reasons why this application took the world by storm is its massive music catalog. There are different genres of audio and music available from its database which include pop, rock, classical, and even podcasts. There are even some audiobooks available on Spotify.
Just like Rdio, you can share the current tracks your listening to with your friends. Sync your Facebook account to your Spotify profile so that your friends from this social media networking portal can also take a listen to your favorite music. You can even share your playlists if you desire.
If you’re bored with your current playlists, then you can opt to click on the “Discover” category to search for new tracks to play. Keep in mind Spotify has a Free and Premium subscription service. The free account has plenty of limitations and advertisements in-between audio listening. On the other hand, opting for the premium subscription presents ad-free music listening while unlocking all features.
4) RarmaRadio
RarmaRadio separates itself from the pack by offering audio and video streaming services. This application lets you watch either radio or TV stations located around the world. Aside from listening to radio stations or watching TV shows, you can also record up to 10 stations at the same time. Share your recorded files with your friends to let them listen to your favorite content in the highest quality possible.
This audio and video content streaming app allows saving in different formats including WMA, AAC, MP3, and Ogg. It’s a bit of a disappointment, however, that recording of video content isn’t a feature.
Other features include syncing with Last.fm, wishing and ignoring certain songs, and lyric and album cover art support from external sources. It could do better if it had a cleaner interface but it’s still a usable interface but it might take some getting used to, especially for non-techie folk.
5) Voicemeter Banana
While much digital audio cable application requires users to pay before they can download, install, and use the software, Voicemeter Banana won’t have you spending a cent. This program is free of charge from download to use. It’s an ideal application for people who want to start their first podcast channel.
Voicemeter Banana allows audio streaming at high-quality resolutions. You can even edit your voice or add special effects to make your voice and audio files sound interesting. Aside from live streaming talk shows, you can also change the rate of speech so you can speed up or slow down audio files.
People looking to start broadcasting their opinions or start their first radio show may choose to use Voicemeter Banana.
6) XSplit Broadcaster
If you’ve been on Twitch, chances are you’ve seen some video game streamers advertising that they’ve been using XSplit Broadcaster to live stream their shows. Simply known as XSplit, this video streaming tool can also broadcast audio to the masses.
The beauty of using XSplit is its compatibility. You can use it with other apps like Robust and Twitch alerts. Use its host of features to combine footage coming from various sources or “scenes” as the app likes to call them. Users may assign one scene from the game or video file of their choosing while another area of the screen shown to viewers shows the face of the streamer.
XSplit is known as one of the best Virtual Audio Cable alternatives for its flexibility and versatility. Start customizing your video and audio broadcasts with this digital audio and video cable.
7) Replay Music
Just like other apps on this list, Replay Music allows users to record any sound produced by other software. This application sets itself apart from other similar programs is its compatibility with just about any desktop software or online streaming service.
Hence, you can use Replay Music to save audio coming from famous audio playing apps like MySpace, Last.fm, Pandora, and even Spotify. Aside from recording audio from other applications, this digital sound cable and audio recording software detect silence between songs. Therefore, you can make the most out of your audio files so they won’t take up too much space in your hard disk.
It also comes with a clean interface so you can take advantage of its features without an extensive learning curve. To use it, all you need to do is to ensure that the app is active while the other program is playing music you want to record. To start recording, just hit the “Start recording” button and you’re good to go!
After recording, you can then share your files with friends, family, and colleagues from multiple different channels and portals on the Internet.
8) Soundflower
Many virtual audio cable software is only compatible with Windows systems. Soundflower is fit for the other side of the spectrum, specifically for Mac OS X users. This application is a system extension that allows audio to pass through other programs.
It’s an open source software which means different people can contribute to help build and develop the program to make it better than before. The program’s interface is simple to use and it represents itself well as an audio capture and streaming portal. Use any application on your Mac computer while using Soundflower and you’ll pass the sounds without any additional support required.
9) Loopback
Another digital audio cable only fit for Mac devices is Loopback. It presents a cable-free solution for routing audio from different applications on your Mac OS X computer. Users of this application can create virtual audio devices to pass through other apps and audio processing software.
Users of Loopback can combine audio sources, take advantage of powerful channel options, and, of course, pass audio to different applications. When pulling audio from multiple channels and sources, you can compile all those files into one easy-to-use interface. You can even acquire audio from other physical audio devices connected to your Mac OS X computer.
Attach as many output channels your device can handle and then capture the sounds coming off of them with the help of Loopback. Users can even record and stream sounds from other known apps like Skype, Facetime, and many others.
10) AudioBus
While there are many “freemium” software for routing audio between apps and online portals, AudioBus is a commercial software for more serious audiophiles. It does require a one-time payment of $9.99 but you’ll immediately get all the features in return. The one-time fee is great because you’ll get all the premium features without spending additional time on a trial period.
Touted as one of the best Virtual Audio Cable alternatives, using AudioBus allows you to connect compatible apps to record, transfer, or stream audio. You can even use this app to play and broadcast a synthesizer to a multi-track recorder or a looper.
This application also has a clean and clutter-free interface. Users can pass live audio or MIDI files without having to do extensive research or follow convoluted instructions. There’s also a built-in equalizer to fine-tune how your audio sounds like when heard from the end user.
You can check out the Virtual Audio Cable alternatives found on this list to help you transfer, stream, or record sound from one source to an end user or program. Say goodbye to spending countless hours trying to search for the right digital audio cable program. Instead, you can just check out the applications we’ve laid out for you. You may even bookmark this page if you need additional assistance in selecting the right app for your audio streaming and recording requirements.