Built first for Apple Music.
Audex Trace is not just a mini player. It helps you see what Apple Music is doing now — and what’s coming next.
Run Compatibility Check on your Mac before buying Pro.
Apple Music-first Available now for macOS 15+
Trace is built for the moments where the visible label is not enough: the track looks lossless, the route changes the result, or the next queue item may interrupt playback before you hear it.
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, then Trace Pro can reduce manual changes with experimental Auto Sample Rate Match on compatible devices.
Metadata alone can make it hard to tell which variant is active for the current route. Trace labels Dolby Atmos, AAC, Lossless, or Hi-Res states cautiously when Apple Music and the output route expose enough detail.
Trace Pro can flag upcoming tracks that look likely to fail or skip before playback reaches them. That makes queue issues visible earlier, instead of only after the next track interrupts listening.
Detection depends on macOS, Apple Music settings, the output route, and device support. Run Compatibility Check on your Mac before buying Pro.
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, then Pro can reduce some manual switching when your output device supports it.
Keep the details Apple Music usually hides close by: the active playback format, the next few tracks, early warnings when quality or playback may not behave as expected, and tools for keeping compatible Mac output devices matched.
Open a compact queue view and see up to 3 upcoming Apple Music tracks without leaving the player.
In Trace Pro, preview estimated Lossless, Hi-Res, or Dolby availability for queued tracks before playback reaches them.
In Trace Pro, flag upcoming tracks that look likely to fail or skip, so playback issues are visible earlier.
In Trace Pro, keep the current codec, bit depth, sample rate, and output match status visible while you listen.
Experimental in Trace Pro: update compatible Mac output devices as Apple Music moves between Lossless and Hi-Res sample rates.
Keep playback controls and track details close in the compact player, menu bar, or optional notch view.
Free Compatibility CheckConfirm detection on your own Mac before buying Pro.
One-time purchaseLaunch price $19.99, regular price $29.99, no subscription.
Built for macOS and Apple MusicFocused on Music.app playback on macOS 15 and later.
Product Hunt launchPublic launch build available now.
Independent appNot affiliated with Apple.
Support availableQuestions and compatibility issues can be sent through contact.
Try it on your own Mac before paying. The free download includes Compatibility Check, basic detection, basic now playing, and a limited preview so you can confirm your setup works before buying Pro.
Regular price $29.99 after the launch window.
One-time lifetime license for Audex Trace Pro. Unlocks estimated queue quality, skip warnings, playback readout, output match status, and experimental Auto Sample Rate Match. Playing Next itself is included in the free download.
Run Compatibility Check on your Mac before buying Pro.
Try it on your own Mac before paying.
Unlock the full listening companion.
Playback-format detection depends on your macOS version, Music settings, Apple Music behavior, and output device. For best real-time detection, turn off Song Transitions, AutoMix, or Crossfade in Music.
Requires macOS 15 or later with the Apple Music app installed.
Tested on macOS 26.3.1 and 26.4.1.
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.
Playback format detection runs locally on your Mac.
Audex Trace does not modify, record, or upload your audio, and no listening history is uploaded for quality detection.
No Apple Music account sign-in or cloud library API access.
License verification, update checks, purchase checkout, optional artwork fallback, and minimal website download/checkout counts may use the network.
Audex Trace requires macOS 15 or later and the Apple Music app. Download it free and run Compatibility Check on your own Mac before buying Pro.
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.
Known limitation. Future macOS or Apple Music updates may require Audex Trace updates.
Download the signed and notarized macOS app from GitHub Releases. Requires macOS 15 or later.
Before purchasing Pro, run the built-in Compatibility Check on your own Mac. Apple Music Song Transitions, AutoMix, or Crossfade can make playback-format detection delayed or unavailable around track changes.
