FineTune
Open-source macOS menu bar app for per-app volume control and audio routing
AI Summary
FineTune is a free and open-source macOS menu bar app that enables individual volume control for each application. It offers audio routing to different output devices, a 10-band equalizer with AutoEQ support, and up to 4x volume boost. The app is a full-featured alternative to commercial tools like SoundSource.
✓ Pros
- + Completely free and open-source under GPL v3 license
- + Extensive features like multi-device output, 10-band EQ, and AutoEQ integration
- + URL schemes for automation with Shortcuts, Raycast, or scripts
✗ Cons
- − Requires macOS 15.0 Sequoia or newer, not compatible with older versions
- − Requires Screen & System Audio Recording permission for full functionality
Use Cases
- → Individual volume control for different apps during video conferences while listening to music
- → Automatic routing of music apps to Bluetooth headphones and system sounds to internal speakers
- → Frequency correction for headphones with AutoEQ profiles for optimal sound
- → Boost quiet apps up to 4x without increasing system volume
Who is it for?
Ideal for macOS users who need professional audio control – from music producers and content creators to power users with complex multi-device setups.
Tags
What is FineTune?
FineTune is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app for granular audio control. Instead of managing all applications through the global system volume, FineTune controls each app separately. Users who are on a video call and listening to music at the same time can adjust the volumes independently, without opening System Settings. The app is available on GitHub under GPL v3 and can be used without any paywall.
Core features
- Per-app volume control: Every running application gets its own volume slider directly from the menu bar.
- Audio routing: Individual apps can be directed to specific output devices, for example music to Bluetooth headphones and system sounds to the internal speakers.
- 10-band equalizer with AutoEQ: Frequencies can be adjusted manually or corrected automatically using AutoEQ profiles for known headphones.
- Volume boost up to 400%: Quiet apps can be boosted to four times their volume without changing the global system volume.
- URL schemes for automation: FineTune can be integrated into Shortcuts, Raycast or custom scripts via URL schemes.
Who is FineTune for?
The target audience is macOS users whose audio setup goes beyond a single output. Music producers who want to monitor reference tracks on specific devices benefit from the routing. Content creators who have recording software and communication tools open at the same time can adjust volumes on a per-app basis. Power users who want to automate repetitive configurations can make use of the URL scheme integration. The requirement is macOS 15.0 Sequoia. Users still on Ventura or Sonoma cannot install FineTune. The app also requires the "Screen & System Audio Recording" permission, without which core features do not work.
Context & alternatives
FineTune occupies the same niche as the commercial SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba. The functional core is comparable: per-app volume, audio routing, EQ. The key difference is price and code openness. SoundSource costs money and is closed source. FineTune is neither. Anyone who wants to audit or modify the code can do so with FineTune. The hard cut at macOS 15 is not a minor issue: users who cannot update to Sequoia immediately for operational reasons are left out entirely.
