MixOutpost has three parts. On the Mac there's a plugin you insert on your master bus and a standalone app that can share any Mac audio. On the iPhone there's the listener app, where you hear the mix and run your checks. The Mac side is free. Pro will be a one-time purchase in the iPhone app.
In the tables below, Free and Pro show the proposed split for launch. It isn't final, and nothing is locked yet.
Mac plugin (AU, VST3)
The plugin is the main way to use MixOutpost. Put it last on the main output of your DAW or video editor, press Start Sharing, and paired phones can listen.
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Unit | Verified in Logic Pro and Ableton Live on real hardware, including when Logic hosts plugins in its separate plugin process | Free |
| VST3 | Verified in Ableton Live on real hardware; passes pluginval at strictness 10 | Free |
| AAX (Pro Tools) | Built; coming once it's signed for Pro Tools | Coming |
| Transparent insert | Output is bit-identical to input. Your DAW's or editor's audio is never changed | Free |
| Bounces skipped | Offline renders and exports don't flood the phone | Free |
| Source name | "Host · Track", e.g. "Logic · Stereo Out", or a name you type | Free |
| No surprise sharing | Opening a project never starts sharing on its own | Free |
| Sample-rate conversion | 44.1, 88.2 and 96 kHz sessions converted to 48 kHz; 48 kHz passes bit-exact | Free |
| Stable port | Each source keeps the same network port every session, so phones reconnect | Free |
| Surround buses | 5.1, 7.1, 5.1.4, 7.1.2, 7.1.4 | Pro |
Mac app
The standalone app shares audio without a plugin slot. It's the route for hosts without a master bus, like Final Cut Pro, for hosts MixOutpost doesn't load in yet, and for audio that doesn't come from a DAW or editor at all. More on the Mac audio to iPhone page.
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Mac audio (all apps) | A system audio tap captures what the Mac plays. No loopback driver, no feedback. Needs macOS 14.2 or later | Free |
| Any audio input | Pick an input device; the app warns you when it's a microphone | Free |
| Mute | Sends silence to the phones instead of the audio | Free |
Installer
- Universal, for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 12 or later. Sharing Mac audio (all apps) from the app needs macOS 14.2 or later.
- Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper opens it without warnings.
- Choose what to install: AU, VST3 and/or the app. Plugins install for all users.
See Download for the installer.
Pairing and security
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Paired phones only | No open mode. Only phones you've paired can connect | Free |
| Encryption | All audio over TLS 1.3 | Free |
| QR pairing | Scan in the app or with the iPhone Camera | Free |
| Code pairing | 6-digit code on the phone, approved on the Mac after checking matching numbers | Free |
| One pairing per Mac | Covers every plugin instance in every DAW and editor, and the app | Free |
| Several listeners | Up to 8 phones at once, each with its own volume, Listen as and output; the plugin lists who's connected | 1 Free Pro for more: one Pro phone unlocks the room |
Details on the security page and the multiple listeners page.
Connection
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic discovery | Your Mac appears on the phone via Bonjour | Free |
| Connect by address | For networks that block discovery | Free |
| Remembered sources | Paired sources are remembered by address when discovery is blocked | Free |
| Auto-reconnect | After Wi-Fi drops, mesh roaming, or Stop Sharing then Start Sharing on the Mac | Free |
| Local Network help | Explains the iOS permission before it's asked, with Open Settings if it was denied | Free |
| Connection info | Format, bit-exact status, buffer, round trip, dropouts, network type, security | Free |
Audio on the phone
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Lossless 48 kHz | Bit-exact by default | Free |
| Background playback | Keeps playing with the screen locked or in other apps | Free |
| Buffer | Auto (adapts to your Wi-Fi), Standard or Stable | Free |
| Clock drift correction | Experimental, off by default | Pro once it's finished |
| Output picker | Speaker, AirPods, Bluetooth, AirPlay, wired | Free |
| Landscape stereo | True left/right from the phone speakers when held sideways | Free |
| Surround playback | Spatial on AirPods and AirPlay, stereo fold-down on the speaker | Pro |
For the steadiest playback you can also connect the iPhone by Ethernet.
Checking the mix
| Feature | Details | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Peak meters | With clip indicators; per channel for surround | Free |
| Listen as | Stereo, Mono, Side, L, R | Free |
| Dim and Mute | Dim is −20 dB | Free |
| Source volume | −40 to 0 dB, snaps to unity, remembered per source | Free |
| Momentary and short-term LUFS | EBU R128 metering | Free |
| Loudness details | Integrated, LRA, true peak, maxima | Pro |
| Loudness targets | Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer; EBU R128, ATSC A/85, Netflix; Apple Podcasts (optional) | Pro |
| Diagnostic EQ | Low shelf, mid peak with Q, high shelf. Never affects the meters | Pro |
| Record to phone | Bit-exact 32-bit float WAV; share, delete, Files app | Pro |
| Compare | A second source as B; switch A, B or A+B without clicks, each with its own volume | Pro |
Phone app layout
The iPhone app has four bottom tabs: Listen, Sources, Recordings and Settings. Inside Listen, top tabs switch between Meters, Loudness and EQ. The first time you open it, a "New here? Set up your Mac" card gives you steps you can send to your Mac, so setting up the Mac side starts from the phone in your hand.
Not available yet
Planned, on hold or proposed
- Pro Tools (AAX): built, coming once signed.
- Remote listening over the internet: on hold. MixOutpost is local network only today.
- Browser listener: on hold.
- Windows sender, Android listener, Apple TV app: planned after launch.
- iPad layout: proposed.
If you're wondering whether MixOutpost fits your setup, how it works walks through the whole signal path, and the FAQ covers compatibility.
