The main limitation: one cable, no built-in mixer
VB-CABLE connects one program’s audio output to another program’s recording input, but the free package provides only one virtual cable. It has no mixer or volume control of its own, so it cannot combine several audio sources or adjust their levels within the program.
For a straightforward audio handoff, the ExeDepot page for VB-CABLE describes a driver that forwards sound without requiring routing configuration beyond choosing the right devices. This can send music into a call or game audio into a recording application, provided the receiving program can select a recording device.
How the audio route works
After installation, VB-CABLE adds two devices to Windows. CABLE Input appears as a playback device: choose it as the output in the application producing sound. The driver forwards that audio to CABLE Output, which appears as a recording device. Choose CABLE Output as the microphone or input in the application that should receive the sound.
For example, to route a music player into Discord, select CABLE Input as the music player’s output and CABLE Output as Discord’s microphone. This replaces the selected microphone input with the routed program audio; the cable itself does not mix in a real microphone. Avoid setting CABLE Input as the default Windows output unless you intend to route system sounds through the cable rather than hear them normally.
Compatibility and installation
The driver works with applications using MME, DirectSound, KS or WASAPI. Its Windows compatibility spans Windows XP to Windows 11, with 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 support. The notes also list macOS 10.10 and later among the supported platforms.
Installation uses a ZIP archive: extract its files, then run the 64-bit setup program as administrator. Reboot after installing, and reboot again after uninstalling. Once setup is complete, the essential routing task is selecting CABLE Input in the source application and CABLE Output in the receiving application.
Scope, licensing, and additional cables
VB-CABLE is made by VB-Audio Software and is donationware, meaning it is free to use and users may pay what they want for a license to support the developer. The basic package provides one cable. Optional VB-CABLE A+B and C+D packs add further independent cables, but the basic cable does not offer source mixing or level controls.
That division makes VB-CABLE suited to a direct connection between an application’s playback and another application’s input. If the task requires multiple sources to be combined or their volume to be managed, the single-cable design does not provide those controls. For a simple pass-through, however, the setup remains limited to selecting the two virtual devices rather than configuring an audio mix.