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Sound Settings

Manage audio input and output for the virtual machine. For Windows VMs you can also choose the sound card, and which Mac microphone and which Mac speakers or headphones the VM uses.

📸 Screenshot: Sound Section

Fields

Field Description
Sound Card (Windows VMs only) HD Audio (default) or USB Audio. Windows has drivers for both. With HD Audio, sound keeps playing while the Mac is busy.
System Audio Input Gives the VM a microphone.
Microphone (Windows VMs only) Mac's Default Microphone (default) follows the input chosen in macOS. Or pick one microphone, such as a USB or headset mic.
System Audio Output Gives the VM speakers.
Speakers (Windows VMs only) Mac's Default Output (default) follows the output chosen in macOS. Or pick one output, such as headphones or a display.
Not Connected A chosen device that isn't connected now. The choice is kept; until the device is back, Windows uses the Mac's default.

Usage Notes

  • Linux and macOS VMs always use the Mac's default microphone and output; Apple's Virtualization framework doesn't let an app choose them.
  • Changes take effect the next time the VM starts from a shutdown. The setting can't be changed while the VM runs or is suspended.
  • To switch devices while a Windows VM runs, click the speaker button in the VM window's toolbar, or use Devices → Sound in the Prism menu. Windows keeps the same sound device and sound that is playing or recording moves at once. The switch lasts until the VM stops; the next start uses this setting. Remotely: the speaker button on the web live screen, Sound in the iOS and Android apps (live screen ••• menu or VM details), or vpvm sound select.
  • HD Audio gives Windows whole sound buffers to play, so starting a Mac app or switching away from a game doesn't stop the sound. Windows names its endpoints Speakers and Microphone. Both cards play and record at 48 kHz, 16-bit stereo; Windows converts other formats.
  • If a chosen device is unplugged while Windows uses it, the sound moves to the Mac's default and comes back when the device is plugged in again.
  • Choosing Bluetooth headphones such as AirPods as the microphone switches them to macOS's call mode, which lowers their sound quality while Windows records.
  • You can also choose the devices from the web dashboard (VM configuration → Sound), the iOS and Android apps (Configuration → Sound), and the command line: vpvm audiodevices lists the Mac's microphones and outputs, and vpvm config sound --input-device/--output-device sets them; --sound-card hda|usb chooses the sound card. See Command Line.