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Virtual Audio Device (MacOs)

Updated

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OVERVIEW

Virtual Audio Device driver
Apple's Audio Drivers (Core Audio) is a standardized audio driver system for all Macintosh computers running on Mac OS X allowing access to Core Audio compatible audio interfaces.
The Merging Virtual Audio Device is intended for owners of a Network Interface hardware RAVENNA or AES67 compatible who wish to work under Mac OS. 
Note: as of VAD 3.2 only one VAD installer flavor is available (it combines Standard and Premium)


The Virtual Audio Device will run in Premium mode automatically for owners of a Hapi’s, Anubis, Neumann MT 48 or KH AES67 Speakers who wish to work under Mac OS. 
It requires at least one of those device to be detected over the network
The Non-Merging Devices RAVENNA or AES67 owners will need to purchase either a VAD standard or Premium key to operate. 
Once the key has been purchased it must be entered in the Merging License Manager as per the procedure described on this page.

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

! Golden Gate: not tested yet - updating to macOS 27 is not recommended for now.
This note also applies to MT 48 over USB.

Certified Mac Operating Systems (OS) - The Core Audio driver and VAD are qualified under macOS

  • Tahoe (Mac Intel, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5): 26.3 (and above) supported, VAD v3.6.0/v4.0 and higher recommended

  • Sequoia (Mac Intel, M1, M2, M3 & M4): 15.1.x up to 15.5 supported, VAD v3.5.1 and higher recommended

  • Sonoma (Mac Intel, M1, M2 & M3): 14.7.X supported, VAD v3.3.0 and higher recommended

  • Ventura (Mac Intel, M1, M2 & M3)13.x: RAVENNA -VAD (Core Audio) v3.2.5.55784 dmg to 3.6.0
    Legacy macOS no longer officially supported by Apple nor Neumann nor Merging. Works as is.
     

  • Warning: 10Gb Ethernet Adaptors are not certified for VAD usage. 

  • Warning: Apple support of USB has performance weakness, if running recent macOS and/or on M1/Silicon family. 
    We highly recommend the usage of a Thunderbolt adapter as the Thunderbolt AVB Adapter - SONNETTECH 

  • Warning (Legacy): Users updating to Horus-Hapi firmware v3.9.4 and above must install VAD 2.0.39648 and higher.

Merging MacOS Configuration Guides

 

SPECIFICATIONS

VAD Standard operations

  • Runs with Non-Merging interfaces RAVENNA or AES67 compatible, requires a Key as of v3.2.
    As of the VAD v3.2 a key is required for standard operations The VAD can also be running in Premium mode, with a VAD Premium key purchase.

  • The latency can be set to 1ms (48-AES67), 4ms (192), 6ms (288), 10ms (480) 
    Note: effective latency depends on Application buffer size

  • The driver can be used as default device and System (alert) device.

  • Mac Parental Controls and Security Firewall should be switched OFF

  • Numbers of inputs and outputs available @1fs (44.1kHz / 48kHz) = 64 I/O 
    Note: The number of I/Os could be less if the application does not support these numbers


VAD Premium operations

  • Requires at least one Merging Network Interface (Horus, Hapi or Anubis) on your network

  • Operates with Non-Merging interfaces. Requires a VAD Premium key to unlock premium mode.

  • The latency can be set to 16, 32, 48 (AES 67), 64, 128, 192, 288 and 480 samples

  • The driver can be used as default device and System (alert) device.

  • Mac Parental Controls and Security Firewall should be switched OFF

  • Numbers of inputs and outputs available 136 I/O at all sampling rates (since v4.0) 
    Note: The number of I/Os could be less if the application does not support these numbers
    Warning: If you encounter issues such as glitches, reduce the IO count, since Performance is dependent on system Performance & Configuration

 

  Standard Mode Premium Mode
Requirements AES67 compatible device with VAD Standard key At least one Merging/Neumann Network Interface connected over the network (e.g. Hapi, MT 48, Anubis,…)
OR
AES67 compatible device with VAD Premium key
Mac Operating System

Sonoma 14.X (1) - Sequoia 15.X (2) - Tahoe 26.X (3)
Latency 1ms (48-AES67), 4ms (192), 6ms (288), 10ms (480)  16, 32, 48 (AES 67), 64, 128, 192, 288 and 480 samples
Sample Rate supported  44.1-48 kHz 44.1-48-88.2-96-176.4-192-352.8-384 kHz
DSD64 - DSD128 - DSD256
I/O @44.1/48 kHz 64 Inputs and Outputs * 136 Inputs and Outputs *
I/O @88.2/96 kHz Not available 136 Inputs and Outputs *
I/O @176.4/192 kHz Not available 136 Inputs and Outputs *
I/O @352.8/384 / DSD kHz Not available 136 Inputs and Outputs *
MIDI Pre Amps

MIDI Pre Amps & Din support
Bundled Applications

MT Discovery - ANEMAN - Merging License Manager

* The I/O performance will vary with the system configuration. 
For enhanced performances, please follow the MacOS Configuration recommendations

(1) Sonoma 14.4 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.3.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
(2) Sequoia 15.1 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.4.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
Sequoia 15.4 (and above) is supported with VAD 3.5.1 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
(3) Tahoe 26.5 (and above) is supported with VAD 4.0 and higher on Intel and M1/M2/M3/M4 (ARM/Silicon Mac)

 

Notes:

  • As of VAD 3.2, only one VAD installer flavor is available, and users with none-Merging interfaces will require a VAD Standard key to operate, and can upgrade to a VAD Premium key on our online shop.

  • Merging Anubis is supported since VAD 2.0.37039

  • SAP Implemented in the devices, so no need for a RAVENNA-2-SAP (SIP not supported)

  • Warning: Macs with a 10Gb ethernet interface are not supported by RAVENNA today. We recommend using an external adapter Thunderbolt to Ethernet (Sonnet AVB recommended)

  • Warning: VAD is not supported for any DANTE operation.

  • Yosemite, ElCapitan, Sierra/HighSierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey are legacy, not supported anymore by Apple nor Merging. Work as is. Merging Anubis not supported.

  • Ventura is supported with VAD 3.6

  • High Sierra and Mojave are supported with VAD 2.1.45186

  • BigSur and Monterey are supported with VAD 3.2.0 on Intel and M1 (ARM/Silicon Mac)
     

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