Windows Tips for Audio - How to Disable Exclusive Mode in Sound Control Panel

Windows, applications can take exclusive control of an audio device which makes it unavailable to other applications. Unfortunately on Windows this is a very common problem often without an easy solution, apart from only using one program at a time or using a Mac instead. You can try to disable exclusive mode in windows audio control panel, but it is not guaranteed to work.

You might not be able to share your audio device with your DAW and Source-Connect at the same time. One thing you can try to get it working would be to disable exclusive mode for the audio device in the system audio settings.

In the search bar type "Sound Settings" and open, then click on "Sound Control Panel" on the right hand side under Related Settings.

Complete the following steps in BOTH the "Playback" and "Recording" Tabs of the control panel for all the sound devices.

1. Choose device, and open it's "Properties"
2. Within the device properties choose the "Advanced" Tab
3. Untick "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device"
4. Click "Apply" and "Ok" to close the window
5. Repeat with next device