Exclusive mode on Mac, users still waiting for a fix

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Level 2

178 points

Exclusive mode on Mac, users still waiting for a fix

Apple Music for MacOS doesn’t have an exclusive mode like iOS does, and other streaming apps like Tidal and Amazon Music on macOS. So for Apple Music, the audio output format is set in Audio MIDI Setup in macOS. But this is set so, if you pick 16/44 but play a 24/96 song, it will downsample it on macOS.

Changing Audio MIDI Setup for each song is impossible.

Plug ins and doohickies for macOS that kind of do this, just do not work as well as an exclusive mode does. Exclusive mode just, does it. For each song. The end.

This has been an issue for Music on Macs for years now. Really, the best solution is for Apple to fix it.

So be sure to let Apple know on the Feedback page. Feedback - Apple Music - Apple

Please note that Apple also calls this Community a place for discussions to learn more about aspects of Apple products and services. I post this in that context, not asking for an answer, but providing insight. For which, right now, there are none.

But do let Apple know in Feedback that you want Apple Music songs to play on macOS at the song's highest quality, automatically. Just like iOS does.

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Nov 19, 2023 07:57 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ataraxy01 Author

Level 2

178 points

Jan 25, 2024 06:06 AM in response to chris_k_

Yes. Has always been this way.

One work around via THX: "Apple Music for MacOS doesn’t have an exclusive mode, so the macOS audio output format is set by MacOS Audio Midi Setup. If you’ve chosen 24-bit 176.4 kHz…, then all Apple Music playback will be upsampled to that rate…. We recommend 176.4 kHz because it’s an integer multiple of 44.1 kHz and 88.2 kHz, to ensure lossless upsampling for nearly all music.”

I use LosslessSwitcher.

But the best solution is to just Airplay from Mac or iOS to an Airplay “1” reciever (I am happy with 14/44) or, direct wire to DAC via iOS for max capability of 24/192. iOS is exclusive.

Honestly, above 24/96 is stupid. You hear nothing. Also, 24/48 is great too. But so many other things matter much more. A bad recording in a bad room on a bad system but playing at high resolution will be terrible compared to an excellent recording at 16/44 playing on a decent system in a good sounding room.

So I focus on the easy fix and worry less about chasing high resolution fantasies.

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Answer 2

chris_k_

Level 1

14 points

Jan 25, 2024 01:27 AM in response to Ataraxy01

I use Apple Music on Mac with an external DAC capable of 384Hz. Does Audio MIDI downsample it?

Also, I think 32 bit float cannot be changed on M1 and newer Macs. The only variable is the Hz. Is there distortion if the song is only 44 in Apple Music, but I set the Audio MIDI higher? If not, just keep it at the highest setting. If yes, that's a bummer and really then need exclusive mode.

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Exclusive mode on Mac, users still waiting for a fix

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