SoundBuddy is a small Mac menu bar app that fixes one annoying problem: your Mac switches your microphone the moment headphones connect. With SoundBuddy, you pick your mic once and it stays picked. It also adds keyboard typing sounds and a tidy popup for your Bluetooth audio devices. It is a one-time purchase for one Mac, with no subscription.

Key Features

• Input Lock: SoundBuddy keeps your preferred microphone selected while the app is open. If that mic disconnects, a fallback you choose takes over.
• Choose Your Mic: Pick your Mac microphone or a connected headset as the input from the menu bar. Choosing a microphone does not record audio.
• Keyboard Sounds: Pick from six sound packs, Blue Click, Brown Tactile, Red Linear, Thock, Creamy, and Typewriter, and set the volume. Nothing plays until you turn it on.
• Bluetooth Device Popup: A quiet popup shows what just connected, then gets out of the way. Battery readings appear when your device supports them.
• Native Menu Bar App: SoundBuddy is built for the Mac menu bar, and the direct-download installer is Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is SoundBuddy free?

No. SoundBuddy is a paid app with no free trial. It is a one-time purchase for one Mac, with a launch price of $5 and a planned regular price of $9. The installer and license arrive by email, and the app needs internet for license checks.

What macOS version does SoundBuddy need?

SoundBuddy needs macOS 14 or later and an Apple silicon Mac. Intel Macs are not supported, and installation on a clean Mac has not been verified yet.

How is SoundBuddy different from System Settings?

System Settings lets you choose an input once, but macOS can change it again when a device connects. SoundBuddy keeps your choice selected while it is open.

Will SoundBuddy keep my mic in Zoom or other call apps?

Not always. SoundBuddy changes the default input on your Mac, but a call app can use its own input setting. Active-call switching is not fully verified, so check the input setting in your call app before an important meeting.

Does the keyboard sound feature need extra permission?

Yes. To play sounds when you type in other apps, SoundBuddy needs Input Monitoring permission in System Settings. Typing sounds stay off until you switch them on.

Does SoundBuddy record my audio?

No. Device controls and preferences work on your Mac, and choosing a microphone does not record audio. Internet is used for license checks.

How can I check my microphone level?

SoundBuddy picks which mic is used. To watch the level of that mic, try MicAudioLevel.