Airfoil

Airfoil is a macOS application that transmits audio from any application or source to multiple devices on your local network, including AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth receivers, and other computers running the Satellite software. Streaming is delivered with precise synchronization across all output devices.

★★★★★

5.0(1 ratings)

• Cross-platform streaming. Airfoil supports sending audio to Apple AirPlay devices, Google Chromecast, Sonos systems, Bluetooth speakers, and computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux via the Satellite application. Each compatible device appears as an available receiver in the main interface.
• Audio synchronization. All output devices play audio with precise temporal synchronization, eliminating audible delays between different types of receivers. Adjustable buffer technology compensates for network latency differences.
• Capture any source. The application captures audio from any system process, including music apps like Spotify, web browsers, media players, and audio production software. Select specific sources or all system audio.
• Speaker groups. Create permanent configurations of multiple devices grouped as a single audio destination. Manage different zones for various rooms or speaker combinations with a single click for activation.
• Airfoil Satellite. A free companion app for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS that turns these devices into audio receivers. Remote playback control and source selection available from Satellite devices.
• Automatic streaming. Configure auto-start with immediate connection to predefined devices upon launching the application. Automatically resume streaming after network interruptions or system sleep.
• Silence monitor. Automatic detection of silent audio streams with optional disconnection of devices after a configurable period. Conserves network resources and device power during extended pauses.
• Menu bar mode. A minimized interface residing exclusively in the macOS menu bar. Quick control of devices and basic adjustments without taking up dock or desktop space.
• Built-in equalizer. Audio processing with a ten-band graphic equalizer and presets for different types of musical content. Adjust overall gain and left-right balance.
• Stream metadata. Inclusion of track information in audio streams sent to compatible devices. Displays title, artist, album, and cover art on advanced receiver interfaces.
• Extended remote control. Airfoil Satellite includes remote control functions for music apps and playback on the main computer. Navigate between tracks and adjust volume from secondary devices.
• Reception from iOS. Configure your Mac as an AirPlay audio receiver from iOS devices via Airfoil Satellite. Subsequently redirect audio to other output devices connected to the system.
• Audio from iOS to multiple outputs. Combine Airfoil and Airfoil Satellite to distribute AirPlay audio from iOS devices to multiple receivers simultaneously. Extends Apple's native AirPlay capabilities.
• Audio quality selection. Configure encoding parameters to balance quality and bandwidth usage. Supported formats include Apple Lossless, AAC, and PCM depending on receiver capabilities.
• Device profiles. Preconfigured settings for specific receiver models that optimize transmission parameters. Resolves compatibility issues with particular devices.

Airfoil was developed by Rogue Amoeba, a company founded by Paul Kafasis in 2002. The first version of Airfoil was released in 2005 as a utility to stream audio to Apple's AirPort Express devices. The codebase is written primarily in Objective-C with C++ components for audio processing.

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