Using two Studio Displays as one audio output

A Mac can only send audio to one Studio Display's speakers at a time by default, even with two connected. Build a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup from both displays and they play together, and Chorus can then split the sound so the left display carries the left channel and the right carries the right, giving you real stereo across the desk.

Two Studio Displays either side of a desk is a good speaker setup, six drivers total and positioned exactly where a stereo pair should be. macOS just does not use it that way out of the box, because Sound settings can only point at one output at once, and a display is one output. Getting both playing together needs a couple of minutes in Audio MIDI Setup.

Build the combined output

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup, in Applications › Utilities.
2. Click the + at the bottom of the device list and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
3. Tick Use next to both Studio Displays in the list on the right.
4. Whichever display is ticked first becomes the primary device and sets the clock for the pair. Pick either one, it does not matter which.
5. Tick Drift Correction on the display that is not primary.
6. Select the new device as your Mac's output, either in Sound settings or by holding Option and clicking the volume icon in the menu bar.

Both displays now play the same audio at once. That alone is often enough, but it plays the same full mix out of both, rather than the wide stereo image the hardware can deliver.

Screenshot

A Chorus group named Studio Displays, with 2 Outputs.

123

1. 1The Studio Displays group, 2 Outputs
2. 2The group's volume slider
3. 3The Studio Display - Left row

Getting real left and right

A Multi-Output Device has no left or right setting for each display: Apple's guide shows a tick box per device and a choice of primary device, and that is all. Chorus adds the split. Group both displays in Chorus, hover the small S beside the group, and click Stereo. The left display now carries the left channel and the right display carries the right, each from all of its speakers. If the sides sound the wrong way round, click the swap arrows beside it. True left/right stereo from two Studio Displays covers it in full, including when the plain combined sound is the better choice.

Why does the sound cut out after a couple of seconds?

This is a separate, well-documented issue from the routing above, and it is worth knowing the two are different problems. Some Studio Display owners get sound for a second or two, sometimes with a brief scratching noise, before it cuts out entirely on one or both displays. It is widely enough reported that Apple has published its own troubleshooting steps, and one of the suggested checks is refreshingly literal: make sure the microphone and speaker openings on the display are not covered by tape, a sticker, or anything else blocking them.

Beyond that, the usual steps apply: keep macOS and the display's own firmware current, disconnect and reconnect the Thunderbolt cable, and try removing the display from any Multi-Output Device, testing it alone, then rebuilding the group once it behaves on its own. If sound still drops on a single display with nothing else attached, that points to the display or cable rather than anything in the audio setup covered here.

Doing this without Audio MIDI Setup

Chorus builds the same kind of group as Audio MIDI Setup, both Studio Displays included, but with a volume that works: pull one display's level down a little if it sits closer to you, and the balance holds every time you use the group afterwards. You get one control for both displays instead of setting each one by hand.

Chorus also adds Stereo, available from version 1.0.14. Switch it on and one display plays the left channel while the other plays the right. Switch it off and both play the full mix again.

For the step-by-step on building a Multi-Output Device, see Apple's own guide to Audio MIDI Setup.

Frequently asked questions