Lossless badge, but output differs
Apple Music may play ALAC while the selected Mac output sample rate is still set to something else. Trace shows the detected playback format and Mac output sample rate together.
Built first for Apple Music Lossless on Mac.
Apple Music says Lossless. Output may not match.
Audex Trace lets you verify what Apple Music is actually playing on your Mac (live codec, bit depth, and sample rate) and whether your Mac output matches.
Trace Pro is $29.99 as a one-time purchase. No subscription.
Output match status
Playing 24-bit / 192 kHz
Output 44.1 kHz
A track can be playing in Hi-Res Lossless while your Mac output is still set to another sample rate. Trace shows that mismatch.
What Trace catches
Apple Music shows the badge. Trace shows what can still go wrong.
Trace is built for the moments where the visible label is not enough: the current playback format, the selected Mac output, and signs that the next queued track may fail or skip all matter before the music reaches your ears.
Dolby Atmos/AAC route surprises
Metadata alone can make it hard to tell which variant is active for the current route. Trace shows the detected format: Dolby Atmos, AAC, Lossless, or Hi-Res.
Next track may fail or skip
Trace Pro flags upcoming tracks with skip-risk warnings before playback reaches them, so possible queue issues are visible earlier.
The free download includes Playback Verification. Play a track in Apple Music and confirm detection on your own Mac before buying Pro.
The gap
Manual setup checks one moment. Trace watches the session.
Audio MIDI Setup is useful, but it was not built to follow Apple Music while your queue changes. Trace keeps the playback path visible in the background, and Pro adds automatic sample rate matching.
Manual Audio MIDI Setup
- Open a separate utility to inspect or change the Mac output format.
- Check one device setting while Apple Music may move between 44.1, 48, 96, and 192 kHz.
- Find queue quality or skip issues only when playback reaches the track.
Trace Pro running in the background
- In Pro, keep codec, bit depth, sample rate, and output match status visible in a resident player.
- Turn on Auto Sample Rate Match in Pro instead of switching the output format by hand.
- Preview queue quality estimates and skip warnings before the next track interrupts playback.
Solution
Start with what is actually playing.
Audex Trace is for Apple Music listeners who want to understand current playback, playback quality suggestions, output matching, and upcoming queue quality before the next track arrives.
Where Trace lives
Trace is a player as well as a monitor, so it can stay open while you work.
- Player Window: a floating mini player that stays above your other windows, optionally over full-screen apps, with the current artwork as a blurred background if you want it. Horizontal trackpad swipes can move to the previous or next track.
- Menu Bar: current track, controls, volume, and the Playing Next queue without leaving what you are doing.
- Notch: the same track and controls in the display cutout, expanded only when you want them.
The views are all in the free version. The playback details shown inside them are Pro.
A higher-resolution release may already be in the catalog
Apple Music does not always play the highest-resolution release of a recording. The same album can sit in the catalog at a higher bit depth or sample rate, or in Dolby Atmos, and Apple Music does not show you that comparison while you are listening to the current release.
While a track is playing, Trace checks for alternate releases. When it finds one, it shows what it found and can open it in Music. It suggests. It does not switch for you.
The catalog can change after you save music. A Lossless or Dolby Atmos version can appear on a release you never opened, and you would have no reason to check again.
Playback quality suggestions are a Pro feature. Availability is a catalog estimate, so Trace tells you what it found rather than what Music will play.
Actual Playback Readout
In Trace Pro, open Playback details to inspect the detected codec, bit depth, sample rate, and channels.
Playback Quality Suggestions
In Trace Pro, see when another format or release may offer a higher-quality option for the current track. Open alternate releases directly in Music.
Output Match Status
In Trace Pro, see the output device format, its current and supported sample rates, and whether it matches detected playback.
Auto Sample Rate Match
Trace Pro switches supported output devices to match what is playing. You can optionally include lossy and Dolby playback.
Playing Next Preview
Open a compact view of up to 3 upcoming Apple Music tracks for free. Trace Pro adds Lossless, Hi-Res, Dolby, and exact Apple Lossless bit depth and sample rate estimates when available.
Skip Risk Detection
In Trace Pro, get warnings for queued tracks that may fail, become unavailable, or interrupt playback, before they reach the player.
Apps
Built for Music.app playback.
Music.app source
Status
Apple Music catalog
Supported
Local files played in Music.app
Experimental
Trust
Clear before you pay.
Playback VerificationConfirm detection on your own Mac before buying Pro.
One-time purchaseTrace Pro is $29.99. No subscription.
Built for macOS and Apple MusicFocused on Music.app playback as a local Mac utility for macOS 15 and later.
Signed Mac appDistributed as a signed and notarized Mac utility through GitHub Releases.
Independent appNot affiliated with Apple.
Private by designNo Apple Music sign-in, no audio upload, and no listening history upload for quality detection.
Pricing
One-time purchase. No subscription.
Verify playback first. If Trace does not detect playback format on your Mac, don't buy Pro.
Trace Pro
$29.99
One-time lifetime license
$29.99 one-time purchase. No subscription.
One-time lifetime license for Audex Trace Pro. One license covers all Macs you personally use; enter the same license key on each Mac for online verification. Unlocks live playback readout, playback quality suggestions, output match status, Auto Sample Rate Match, queue quality estimates, and skip warnings. Playing Next itself is included in the free download.
Verify playback first. If Trace does not detect playback format on your Mac, don't buy Pro.
Free
Free forever. No time limits.
- Now Playing with playback controls
- Track metadata and artwork
- Playing Next queue
- Playback Verification: verify detection on your Mac before buying Pro.
Pro
Unlock the full listening companion.
- Actual playback readout
- Playback quality suggestions
- Output match status
- Auto Sample Rate Match
- Queue quality estimates
- Skip warnings
- Lifetime license for all Macs you personally use
Verify playback first. If Trace does not detect playback format on your Mac, don't buy Pro.
Requirements
Designed for recent macOS and Apple Music.
Requires macOS 15 or later with the Apple Music app installed.
Tested on macOS 15.4, 26.3, 26.3.1, 26.4.1, and 26.5. See tested setups.
macOS 14 and earlier are not officially supported.
Local Apple Music playback on the Mac.
One-time purchase with no subscription.
Auto Sample Rate Match requires an output device that exposes compatible macOS sample rates and affects the selected macOS output device, not only Apple Music.
Privacy
Built for your Mac, not for tracking.
Local detection
Playback format detection runs locally on your Mac.
No audio or history upload
Audex Trace does not modify, record, or upload your audio, and no listening history is uploaded for quality detection.
No Apple Music sign-in
No Apple Music account sign-in or cloud library API access.
Limited network use
License verification, update checks, purchase checkout, optional artwork fallback, and minimal anonymous website or pre-purchase app events may use the network.
FAQ
Common questions about Audex Trace.
Audex Trace requires macOS 15 or later and the Apple Music app. Download it free, play a track in Apple Music, then verify playback on your own Mac before buying Pro.
Policy
A narrow refund policy for compatibility.
7-day compatibility refund. If Audex Trace cannot detect Apple Music playback format on a supported macOS version, contact support@audex.dev within 7 days.
Personal Mac license. One Trace Pro license covers all Macs you personally use. Enter the same license key on each Mac; first-time activation and key changes require an internet connection.
Known limitation. Future macOS or Apple Music updates may require Audex Trace updates.
Download
Audex Trace 1.3.1 is available now.
Download the signed and notarized macOS app from GitHub Releases. Requires macOS 15 or later.
Trace Pro is $29.99 as a one-time purchase.
The free version has no time limit. After installing, use Now Playing and Playing Next as usual, and verify playback before purchasing Pro if you want playback format readout.