System Requirements
Last updated 2 September 2026
Keel Audio runs on macOS 13 (Ventura) and later, on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It installs as a notarized Core Audio driver with a standard signed installer — no Xcode, no tinkering.
- macOS: 13 Ventura or newer (through macOS 26 Tahoe) — on macOS 26, use 26.1 or later
- Chip: Apple Silicon (recommended) or Intel x86_64
- Audio: any Core Audio hardware interface you point your DAW at
- Install: Apple-notarized installer; one-time license activation, then fully offline
On macOS 26 (Tahoe), run 26.1 or later. macOS 26.0 and 26.0.1 shipped Apple-side USB audio bugs that affect audio interfaces in general — not just Keel. Apple addressed them in 26.1. If you're still on 26.0.x, update before you rely on any interface for a live show.
What's supported, by capability
We only put something in the green column once it's proven on real hardware. Here's the honest state today:
Playback mirroring & disconnect protection
Fully supported on all versions — macOS 13 through macOS 26. This is Keel's core job: your DAW keeps one stable device, and its inputs and outputs stay mapped when the hardware drops and reconnects.
Live input recording
Fully supported on macOS 13 through macOS 26 (Tahoe). Proven in production capturing 48 channels into a DAW, and validated on real hardware on macOS 26. As always, the 14-day trial lets you confirm it on your own rig before you rely on it live.
Capability × macOS at a glance
| Capability | macOS 13–15 | macOS 26.1+ |
|---|---|---|
| Playback / output mirror | Supported | Supported |
| Persistence (survives disconnect, no DAW reset) | Supported | Supported |
| Multi-interface mirrors (up to 8) | Supported | Supported |
| Live input recording | Supported | Supported |
| Apple Silicon | Supported | Supported |
| Intel (x86_64) | Supported — built universal | |
macOS 13 (Ventura) is verified in production. macOS 14 (Sonoma) and 15 (Sequoia) run the same in-process capture path as Ventura; if you're on one of those for a critical show, the free trial lets you confirm your exact rig first. macOS 26 figures above assume 26.1 or later — see the note above about 26.0.x.
The trial is your safety net. Whatever your macOS version and interface, the fully-functional 14-day trial lets you prove Keel on your own rig before you pay — and before you rely on it live.