Usage
Usage
Learn how to use SoundSwitch effectively, from hotkeys to profiles and per-app audio routing.
Profiles vs App Rules
SoundSwitch offers two distinct mechanisms for controlling audio routing. Understanding the difference is key to using the application effectively.
Profiles — Change the System Default
What it does: Profiles switch the Windows Default Audio Device. When a profile activates, it tells Windows to use a different device as the default for all applications.
When it activates: A profile activates when one of its configured triggers fires — a hotkey press, a specific application gaining focus, Steam Big Picture launching, etc.
Scope: System-wide. Every application that uses the default playback or recording device is affected.
Best for:
- Switching between headphones and speakers when you sit down or stand up
- Setting a dedicated audio configuration for gaming sessions
- Automatically changing devices when you launch or focus a specific app
- Ensuring a preferred device is always active (force profile)
Key behavior: When an Application or Window trigger ends (the app closes or loses focus), SoundSwitch restores the previous device configuration if restoration is enabled on the profile.
App Rules (App Sound Lock) — Route Individual Apps
What it does: App Rules route specific applications to a chosen audio device using Windows Audio Session APIs. The system default device does not change.
When it activates: Rules are evaluated continuously — whenever a new process starts or when the foreground window changes. If a rule's process pattern and window title match, the application's audio stream is immediately redirected.
Scope: Per-application. Only the matched application is affected; all other apps continue using the system default device.
Best for:
- Playing music through speakers while gaming on headphones
- Sending Discord audio to one device while browser audio goes to another
- Routing a specific app's microphone input to a virtual cable
- Fine-grained control over which app uses which device
Key behavior: Routing persists as long as the matched application is running. Multiple rules can match different apps and route each to a different device simultaneously.
Can I Use Both Together?
Yes. Profiles and App Rules complement each other:
- A Profile can set your headphones as the system default when you launch a game.
- An App Rule can simultaneously route your music player to your speakers — so game audio goes to headphones (via the profile default) and music goes to speakers (via the rule).
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Profiles | App Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Changes system default | Yes | No |
| Affects all apps | Yes | No (per-app only) |
| Hotkey activation | Yes | No |
| App trigger | Yes (Application path / Name of the program) | Yes (Process Path, Window Title with regex) |
| Regex matching | No (exact path match) | Yes (standard regex) |
| Device restoration | Yes | No |
| Multiple simultaneous rules | No (one active) | Yes |
Pages in This Section
- Profiles — Automatically switch the system default audio device based on hotkeys, applications, and other triggers.
- App Sound Lock — Route individual applications to specific audio devices without changing the system default.