Reader Ralston Barnard seeks a solution for avoiding a common System Preference. He writes:
Do you know of an Automator workflow or an Applescript that allows you to easily switch the input and output of the Mac’s sound system? Going to the Sound preference panel while a Skype call is coming in is a big clunky.
Such Applescripts exist, but why bother when Rogue Amoeba gives you SoundSource, an easy-to-use (and free!) menubar menu that lets you change audio inputs and outputs with a single click?
Our Gemmeister, Dan Frakes, covered SoundSource way back in 2004, giving it a rating of 4 mice. It remains worth every rodent Dan gave it. The current version 1.1 is Intel-Mac compatible. Give it a try.