Have used audio a lot on windows/mac for a long time, and a bit of linux too.
I'd say it depends on the combination of the hardware/software/OS that does pieces of it on how audio routing comes together.
Generally you have to see what's available, how it can or can't be routed, what software or settings could be enabled or added to introduce more flexibility in routing, and then making the audio routing work how you want.
More specifically some datapoints:
SOUND DRIVERS: Part of this can be managed by the sound drivers on the computer. Applications like web browsers can access those settings or list of devices available.
Software drivers can let you pick what's that's playing on a computer, and then specifically in browsers it can vary.
CHANNELS: There are often different channels for everything. Physical headphone/microphone jacks, etc. They all become devices with channels (input and output).
ROUTING: The input into a microphone can be just the voice, and/or system audio. System audio can further be broken down to be specific ones. OBS has some nice examples of this functionality.
ADVANCED ROUTING: There are some audio drivers that are virtual audio drivers that can also help you achieve the audio isolation or workflow folks are after.
I'd say it depends on the combination of the hardware/software/OS that does pieces of it on how audio routing comes together.
Generally you have to see what's available, how it can or can't be routed, what software or settings could be enabled or added to introduce more flexibility in routing, and then making the audio routing work how you want.
More specifically some datapoints:
SOUND DRIVERS: Part of this can be managed by the sound drivers on the computer. Applications like web browsers can access those settings or list of devices available.
Software drivers can let you pick what's that's playing on a computer, and then specifically in browsers it can vary.
CHANNELS: There are often different channels for everything. Physical headphone/microphone jacks, etc. They all become devices with channels (input and output).
ROUTING: The input into a microphone can be just the voice, and/or system audio. System audio can further be broken down to be specific ones. OBS has some nice examples of this functionality.
ADVANCED ROUTING: There are some audio drivers that are virtual audio drivers that can also help you achieve the audio isolation or workflow folks are after.