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I have a dual monitor setup (iMac + Thunderbolt Display). The System Preferences > Sound > Output setup only allows me to choose between one or the other monitor. This causes the sound to come only from left or right side.

Any way to get both monitors to play audio simultaneously?

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1 Answer

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You should be able to use the Audio MIDI Utility (a.k.a. Audio MIDI Setup on Mountain Lion) to create an Aggregate device to mix both output destinations into one item the OS can select.

The Help topics in OSX around this area are...

Play audio through multiple output devices at once

Combine audio devices to use a single device

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I found this as well, but StackEx didn't let me answer my own question. ;) "Multi-Output Device" worked. Only problem is now the master volume buttons (F10, F11, F12) are disabled. If I need to change the volume or mute, I have to do it on the app (which is not always available) or go back into Audio Midi and change volume for each speaker. (Try muting really fast if the phone rings...). Any ideas? – Luciano Mar 4 '12 at 21:04
I like the TakeFive app to rapidly pause iTunes for a phone call - not sure if it controls your player of choice, but it's awesome from the Iconfactory - on the app store too... – bmike♦ Mar 4 '12 at 21:20
@Luciano Can you post more information about the exact settings? I tried using The Audio MIDI Utility, but I could not seem to figure out the right settings. – daviesgeek Oct 29 '12 at 18:21
This works, however as the OP said you can't use the volume buttons. You have to go back to the MIDI settings and change the volume for both displays. – jsheffers Jan 21 at 18:21

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