Want to experience Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos tracks through your multichannel studio rig or home theater system? Here’s a practical guide for setting up a Mac to route true 7.1.4 (or 7.1) Atmos audio from Apple Music, using only the free BlackHole virtual audio driver.

Why Do This?⌗

Apple Music supports Dolby Atmos playback, but sending real multichannel audio to a pro audio interface is tricky. By default, Apple Music restricts multichannel output to 5.1 or even converts everything to stereo unless it sees the “right” device—a 12-channel/7.1.4-capable output. This blog shows how to convince Apple Music to output full 7.1.4 and route those channels to your system.

What You’ll Need⌗

  • Mac running macOS (latest preferred)
  • BlackHole 16ch (from Existential Audio)
  • Audio interface with enough outputs (ex: 8+ for 7.1)
  • DAW or host application (Logic, Reaper, etc.) to pass audio through
  • Audio MIDI Setup application (built-in)

Step 1: Install and Configure BlackHole for 12 Channels⌗

  1. Download and install BlackHole 16ch
    Get it from Existential Audio.
  2. Open Audio MIDI Setup
    (Spotlight → “Audio MIDI Setup”)
  3. Select BlackHole 16ch → Configure Speakers
    • Right-click BlackHole 16ch
    • Click “Configure Speakers…”
    • Choose 7.1.4 (12 channels) in the dropdown
    • Assign channels 1–12 for surround and height speakers (L, R, C, LFE, sides, rears, heights)

Step 2: Create an Aggregate Device⌗

  1. In Audio MIDI Setup, click the "+" button and choose “Create Aggregate Device.”
  2. Check your audio interface first (set as clock source), then check BlackHole 16ch.
    • Make sure Drift Correction is enabled for BlackHole.

Tip: Setting up BlackHole’s channel configuration first ensures the aggregate device sees it as a 12-channel endpoint.

Step 3: Set System Output and DAW Routing⌗

  1. Make BlackHole 16ch your Mac system audio output.
    • In Audio MIDI Setup, right-click BlackHole 16ch, select “Use this device for sound output.”
  2. In your DAW:
    • Set the aggregate device as audio input/output.
    • Create 12 audio tracks to capture channels 1–12 from BlackHole.
    • Route each track to the appropriate output channel of your audio interface (corresponding to your speakers).
  3. Activate live monitoring in the DAW on all input tracks.

Step 4: Configure Apple Music and Test⌗

  1. In Apple Music:
    • Go to Settings → Playback.
    • Set Dolby Atmos to “Automatic” (not “Always On”).
  2. Play a Dolby Atmos track.
  3. Test with a Dolby Atmos functional test or channel check track to confirm audio reaches all 7.1.4 channels.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues⌗

  • Only 5.1 audio?
    Make sure no device in your aggregate has more than 12–16 active channels. Apple Music folds to 5.1 if it detects too many outputs.
  • No sound from rears or heights?
    Double-check BlackHole’s configuration and your DAW channel routing.
  • Audio glitches?
    Ensure your interface is the aggregate clock source; enable drift correction on BlackHole.

Conclusion⌗

With this setup, you can finally listen to Apple Music’s immersive Dolby Atmos content on your multichannel monitors. The key is forcing Apple Music to see a 12-channel (7.1.4) output device—BlackHole—then using your DAW to move those channels to your real speakers. No fancy software required—just smart virtual routing!