What Virtual Audio Cable enables in your live shows

VAC acts as a digital audio cable between Windows applications: one app sends to Line N output, another (or the browser) reads the matching Line N input.

Music from an app

Send Spotify, Deezer, or VLC to Line 1 (output); Gniark Live reads Line 1 (input).

Jingle or soundtrack

Route a dedicated player to a virtual cable while speaking on another mic (via a mixer).

Multiple cables

Line 1, Line 2… via VAC Control Panel to separate music, jingles, or returns.

Local monitoring

Audio Repeater (included) sends Line 1 back to your speakers or headphones during the live.

Virtual Audio Cable or VB-Cable?

VAC (Muzychenko)VB-Cable (VB-Audio)
PricePaid license (trial: voice reminder after 30 min)Free donationware
CablesLine 1, Line 2… (Control Panel)CABLE Input/Output (+ optional A+B)
MonitoringBuilt-in Audio RepeaterListen to this device (Windows)
Best forMulti-cable, advanced setupsSimple setup, Voicemeeter ecosystem
Free alternative

For a first test without a license, see the VB-Cable guide. For voice + music, prefer Voicemeeter Banana.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 7 through 11 (32 or 64 bit)
  • Administrator rights to install the WDM/KS driver
  • VAC license suited to your use (Home for private non-paid use, Business for professional live shows)
  • Up-to-date Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for Gniark Live
  • Download only from <a href="https://vac.muzychenko.net/en/download.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">vac.muzychenko.net</a> (beware of counterfeit copies)

Install Virtual Audio Cable

  1. 1Download the trial or full version from vac.muzychenko.net.
  2. 2Run the installer as administrator and follow the wizard.
  3. 3Open VAC Control Panel (installed with VAC): by default, one cable (Line 1) is active.
  4. 4Check Settings → System → Sound: Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable) appears under output and input.
  5. 5If you no longer hear system sound: set your speakers or headphones back as the default output (Windows may have switched to Line 1).
Live license

The trial adds a voice reminder after 30 minutes: unsuitable for public live shows. For paid performances, plan for a Business license.

Understand Line 1: output and input

Each VAC cable has an internally linked pair of endpoints. Flow: Application → Line 1 (output / playback) → virtual cable → Line 1 (input / recording) → Gniark Live. In the browser microphone selector, always choose the Line 1 input.

Configure VAC for a live show

Scenario: stream music from an application

  1. 1Open VAC Control Panel and verify Line 1 is active (level meter moves when audio passes).
  2. 2In your player (Spotify, VLC, foobar2000…), choose Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable) as the audio output.
  3. 3Start a track: the level indicator in VAC Control Panel should react.
  4. 4In Gniark Live, select Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable) as the microphone (input).

Monitoring: hear audio locally with Audio Repeater

VAC includes Audio Repeater to listen to what passes through the cable without cutting the stream to Gniark Live.

  1. 1Launch Audio Repeater (VAC folder or Start menu).
  2. 2Set Wave In to Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable) (source / input).
  3. 3Set Wave Out to your speakers or headphones (hardware device).
  4. 4Click Start: you hear the music locally while it goes to the live.
Headphones recommended

Use headphones for monitoring so the physical mic does not pick up speakers.

Add Line 2 or more (VAC Control Panel)

  1. 1Open VAC Control Panel.
  2. 2Increase the number of virtual cables (e.g. 2 for Line 1 and Line 2).
  3. 3Apply the configuration: new Line 2 (Virtual Audio Cable) devices appear.
  4. 4Route a second application to Line 2 (output) if you need separate buses (e.g. jingles on Line 2, music on Line 1).
Mix multiple Lines

Gniark Live selects only one microphone at a time. To mix Line 1 + mic or multiple cables, use Voicemeeter Banana or an external mixer.

Select VAC in Gniark Live

  1. 1Configure your application output to Line 1 and verify the signal in VAC Control Panel.
  2. 2Open Gniark Live and start your stream.
  3. 3Allow microphone access, then choose Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable) (input).
  4. 4Validate with a test viewer or second browser before going public.
Voice + music

To combine voice and music in a single browser stream, use Voicemeeter Banana and select Voicemeeter Output in Gniark Live.

Solution page

This guide covers technical setup. Explore the Gniark Live commercial offering for this use case.

View solution page — Remote AV studio workflows that scale with your shoots

Frequently asked questions

Is Virtual Audio Cable free?

Free Lite version (1 cable, home use). Full version paid (15-50 USD depending on license). Free trial with voice reminder after 30 min.

Line 1 output or input in the browser?

Always Line 1 input (recording / microphone). Line 1 output is used to send audio from the source application.

VAC or VB-Cable?

VAC for multi-cables and Audio Repeater (paid). VB-Cable for a simple free setup and Voicemeeter integration.

Mix voice + music?

Use Voicemeeter Banana or a mixer, not VAC alone.

No sound after installation.

Set your speakers back as the default output in Settings → Sound.

No sound in the live.

Verify the app targets Line 1 (output), Gniark Live has Line 1 (input), and VAC Control Panel shows an active signal.

License for paid live shows?

Business license required for any commercial or income-generating use. Trial is for evaluation only.

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