[Jackaudio] A macOS Jack Dream

Colin Sullivan colin at colin-sullivan.net
Thu Mar 19 06:04:40 CET 2020


Greetings all,

Below is a message I sent some time ago to the somewhat inactive jackosx mailing list.

Now sharing it here.  I seek your comments, advice, and any relevant insights around future possibilities of Jack on the macOS platform.
------
Colin

> Greetings list,
> 
> I’m curious to start a discussion about the future of Jack on macOS and to share my dream.
> 
> I’d like to steer clear of what has been expressed numerous times in several forums (though please correct me if I am wrong).  Just to recap where we are at:
> 
> 1. JackPilot still works on macOS 10.14 as a way to easily install Jack, start Jack, set options and make connections.
> 2. The “JackRouter” as a core audio device feature does not work - this means that you cannot route iTunes or any arbitrary application through Jack on macOS.  Jack can only be used with applications that can select their own audio interface, such as Ableton Live, Reaper, SuperCollider, etc.  I’ll call these “advanced audio” apps below.
> 
> I am a software developer and electronic music maker.  I rely on the JackPilot application heavily for #1 above.
> 
> My dream is that macOS users can continue to have an easy way to install and run Jack, to route audio between advanced audio apps.
> 
> I would be interested to contribute efforts towards making #1 happen.  I don’t care to maintain #2, though it would be nice, it is quite an effort (and ongoing) and I don’t use it.
> 
> My questions to you as a member of this mailing list:
> 
> 1. Do you think there is enough interest in an easy way to install and use Jack on macOS without the core audio device feature?
> 
> 2. My sense is the JackPilot application is no longer maintained.  Does it make sense to continue to have a macOS specific installer & GUI application?  Should we just somehow repackage qjackctl to run on macOS properly?
> 
> 3. Imagine a scenario where JackPilot no longer runs on updated Macs.  Would this impact you?  I can compile jack2 and use it from the command-line, but this is not fun for folks who are starting to experiment with computer music and want to try routing things.
> 
> Please forgive me if there are similar threads and many thanks for reading!
> ------
> Colin
> 


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