The OD Link Virtual Audio driver connects a Core Audio application to OD Link on the same Mac. OD Link then carries that audio to another Mac over IP. The driver is not the network connection and passes no audio without OD Link running.
This example sends a stereo DAW mix from Mac A to Mac B and records a stereo return on Mac A. The same approach can carry stems on additional channels within your license capacity.
Prepare the driver and connection
- Install OD Link and the free OD Link Virtual Audio driver on Mac A. Keep OD Link running.
- Connect Mac A and Mac B using the internet connection guide or a direct connection on your local network.
- Set the DAW output device to OD Link Virtual Audio 128ch. To record the return, use that device as the DAW input too. The exact audio-device controls depend on your DAW.
- In OD Link on Mac A, select OD Link Virtual Audio 128ch as the Audio Device in both Transmit and Receive. Match the sample rate across the DAW and the link.
If Mac B also uses a DAW for its audio source or destination, install and select the driver there too. If it uses a physical interface, select that interface in OD Link instead.
Keep the send and return separate
Use this example patch so the DAW’s send and return have distinct channel assignments:
| Stage | Example patch |
|---|---|
| DAW on Mac A | Send bus to virtual device outputs 1–2 |
| OD Link Transmit on Mac A | Virtual device inputs 1–2 to link channels 1–2 |
| OD Link Receive on Mac B | Incoming channels 1–2 to the intended playback outputs |
| OD Link Transmit on Mac B | Selected return source to link channels 1–2 |
| OD Link Receive on Mac A | Incoming channels 1–2 to virtual device outputs 3–4 |
| DAW on Mac A | Stereo return track from virtual device inputs 3–4 |
Select the relevant connection before editing either matrix. For the return into channels 3–4 on Mac A, use individual crosspoints rather than a 1:1 patch. The matrix controls explain how to add, remove and level each route.
Confirm the send before opening the return
Play the send bus and check Mac A’s Transmit meters. At Mac B, confirm that the intended outputs carry that source. Then send a separate source back from Mac B and check the DAW’s return-track input meters on Mac A.
Do not route the return track into the same DAW send bus. Separate channel numbers alone do not prevent feedback if the DAW mixes the return back into its own outgoing program. Keep monitoring off on the return track until its destination is deliberately assigned.
Expand the patch
Once stereo works, allocate channel pairs for stems or other sources and label them in Transmit. Name from Source can copy the incoming labels at the receiver. Check each source and destination before adding the next pair.
If a DAW meter moves but OD Link’s input meter does not, check the DAW output device and bus assignment first. If OD Link receives audio but the DAW remains silent, check the Receive matrix and the DAW input pair. Use the manual’s connected-but-silent checks and latency settings for the next step.
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