Checking or Changing the Audio Output

It is important to know how to check the audio output when using external equipment such as USB mixers, Bluetooth earbuds, and HDMI devices. The audio output settings for your production can be accessed using the main switching device (i.e. iPad, iPhone) running the Switcher Studio app. This article provides step-by-step instructions for checking and changing the audio output on iOS devices.

In this article:

Checking or Changing the Audio Output Using the Control Center

To change the audio output for your production, the settings will need to configured using the Control Center on the device. The current audio output will also be displayed in the Control Center.

To check or change the audio output using the Control Center:

  • Open the Control Center on the main switching device. (i.e. iPad, iPhone)

    • iPhone X and later: swipe down from the top-right corner.

    • iPhone SE, 8, and earlier: Swipe up from the bottom.

  • Tap the AirPlay icon (three circles over a triangle) in the top-right corner.

    • An audio output menu will appear with the available options.

  • The current output selected will have a white checkmark next to it.

  • To change the audio output, tap the device you wish to use. (i.e. RODECaster Pro)

Checking the Audio Output Using the Switcher Studio App

While the audio output cannot be changed within the Switcher Studio app, it is still easy to check the current audio output device, allowing users to stay updated on the live feed while checking these settings.

To check the audio output using the Switcher Studio app:

  • Open the Switcher Studio app

  • Tap the Info Panel icon (i) in the top-left corner.

    • The output device will be listed next to Audio Output.

Difficulties Using HDMI Output Audio

There is a known issue where HDMI audio is not output when using multiple extension devices. This is not a Switcher defect, but rather a compatibility limitation of iOS (which appeared in iOS 17 and has continued into iOS 18).

The defect works based on the "last plugged in" rule: If you plug in a USB device last, then you'll have audio input/output via USB. If you plug in the HDMI last, then you'll have audio output going to HDMI...but since HDMI doesn't have an audio input, it switches to the built-in mic. As such, when swiping down from the top right and trying to select manually the output, you'll only see either USB or HDMI as output, but never both at the same time, so you can't select the other one.

You should be able to still output the visual source via HDMI, but it will have no audio... If audio output is needed and you're running iOS 17 and iOS 18, then you will need to output via Apple Airplay instead.

Video Tutorial

Keyword(s): audio, output, bluetooth, external, device