EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

[ShadowBoxer]

When I was on Windows OS, there's this nifty but insanely powerful program I used as well called Breakaway Audio Enhancer
Breakaway Audio Enhancer

Am I correct that there doesn't appear to be any trial version?

 

[Sirius Black]

Am I correct that there doesn't appear to be any trial version?

When I used it back in the day, it did have a trial. I don't know if that's still the case. Have since left Windows a long time ago.

 

[carlo]

Just wanted to leave a note that Vizzdom started working again on macOS > 15.3, maybe even lower... I did not change anything, probably Apple fixed something on their side

Downoladed it, seems interesting as it is free and you can set frequency and bandwidth; you can save some different settings ( i.e. one or more headphones, speakers etc.). Unfortunately as you close the app and open it again it doesn't show the options any more and doesn't work...

 

[krisdigital]

Downoladed it, seems interesting as it is free and you can set frequency and bandwidth; you can save some different settings ( i.e. one or more headphones, speakers etc.). Unfortunately as you close the app and open it again it doesn't show the options any more and doesn't work...

Hi @carlo, thank you for checking out the app! There is a new version that is now fully parametric and includes a bug fix for the preset list. You probably have multiple presets with the same name, if you use the new version the presets should show up again Let me know if it works

 

[escobart]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned EffeTune ( https://frieve-a.github.io/effetune/docs/faq.html ) - imho best alternative for eqapo with real-time multi-band/multi-channel processing, 56 available effects and just insanely low cpu/ram usage - in my case it's 1% cpu and around 500mb of ram for 192khz audio. Very easy to set-up. Below screenshot with effects list.

 

[yo!]

Must have app for Mac OS: sounddesk.

Routing, EQing and much more. Fair priced, great support, excellent function.

 

[carlo]

Hi @carlo, thank you for checking out the app! There is a new version that is now fully parametric and includes a bug fix for the preset list. You probably have multiple presets with the same name, if you use the new version the presets should show up again Let me know if it works

I have downloaded the new version and it seems better than the previous. I saved a couple of presets and one time it didn't show them up at the next opening of the app; then I did the procedure again and in seems keeping! We'll see in the next days. Thanks

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Must have app for Mac OS: sounddesk.

Routing, EQing and much more. Fair priced, great support, excellent function.

Thanks. I'm in the process of converting from PC to a Mac Mini and need something to replace VB-Audio Matrix for mixing multiple inputs / routing to multiple outputs (and even better if I can take care of the PEQ within the same software).

 

[yo!]

I guess you'll found it.
There's much more to it, low latency cDSP plugins (SoundDesk) and apple plugins like AUSoundIsolation. Fancy stuff you get from the start.
Virtual driver matrix, 'All In One' integration... Works flawless within Logic / Garageband and freshly tested with topping e8x8 Control Center App.
This app alone is a good reason to get a Mac.

 

[Peterinvan]

My solution is the Schiit Loki+. It's a very effective analogue tone control.

I see no point trying to use digital EQ to set up my headphones, because to me, it's not a set-up-and-leave-it use case.

I use the Loki+ to set the tone I prefer, on the fly, as I listen to each album, and even each track.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I see no point trying to use digital EQ to set up my headphones, because to me, it's not a set-up-and-leave-it use case.

Side note: Neutron software music player can bind a specific PEQ profile to any local file folder (eg album). I'm not sure about track-level.

 

[krisdigital]

I have downloaded the new version and it seems better than the previous. I saved a couple of presets and one time it didn't show them up at the next opening of the app; then I did the procedure again and in seems keeping! We'll see in the next days. Thanks

Thank you for checking again and glad that it works better now! Strange that the presets did not show up one time I hope it was just a glitch!

 

[carlo]

Thank you for checking again and glad that it works better now! Strange that the presets did not show up one time I hope it was just a glitch!

I can confirm that it has been working nicely; I appreciate the flexibility of settings. Just wondering if there is a conversion chart between bandwidth and Q; I know they are inversely proportional but, as most eq settings I find on internet indicate Q, it would be interesting to calculate how to set the bandwidth. Thanks again

 

[krisdigital]

I can confirm that it has been working nicely; I appreciate the flexibility of settings. Just wondering if there is a conversion chart between bandwidth and Q; I know they are inversely proportional but, as most eq settings I find on internet indicate Q, it would be interesting to calculate how to set the bandwidth. Thanks again

Hi Carlo, thank you for letting me know and glad to hear! The bandwidth can be easily calculated from the Q value with this website https://sengpielaudio.com/calculator-bandwidth.htm
The reason why the app uses BW is that the underlying EQ AUNBandEQ is using it!

 

[audiofromaustria]

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. This will be organized as results come in.
@sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation.
For crossover software go here.



Linux:
[GUIDE] How to use Equalizer APO (PEQ) presets in Linux.

Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.
PulseEffects signal processing tools including parametric equalizer.
PulseEffects has been renamed EasyEffects as recent versions have moved from using pulseaudio to requiring pipewire.
JamesDSP Audio Effect Processor For PipeWire Or PulseAudio (Equalizer, Bass Boost, More).
CamillaDSP supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows.
HiFiScan helps equalize an audio system to get the best possible audio quality from it. It can be automatic or manual.
Camillagui runs in the browser and handles the actual interface.
dsp is an audio processing program with an interactive mode.
Daphile is an audiophile class music server & player OS – targeted to dedicated headless PC.
moOde audio player parametric and graphic equalizers with CamillaDSP and music playback for Raspberry Pi family of single board computers.
Volumio audiophyle music player for Rasberyy Pie.
FusionDsp a Volumio 3 plug in
JRiver comprehensive and seamless software available for managing and playing your media.
Voicemeeter audio mixer application w/ virtual audio device used as virtual I/O to mix/manage any source from/to any audio devices or applications.
DSP for Volumio (previously Brutefir3)
BruteFIR - the convolution engine used by daphile, Volumio's DSP plugin, an LMS plugin and probably others, also manually configurable in a custom alsa config, JACK etc. You can also use it to make crossovers.
BrutefirDRC - the LMS plugin that uses BruteFIR running on the server, configurable per endpoint. Archimago has a howto.
Jconvolver - formerly Zita-convolver, the convolution engine used in PulseEffects, which can also be used with JACK.
Alsaequal - an equalizer you can add to the alsa config. Basic usage is a fixed band graphic equalizer, but it can be used to give a control interface to any other LADSPA plugin via the usual alsa mixer interface. The normal alsa config for ladspa plugins only allows fixed configurations, although for something like an active crossover that's probably an advantage.
REW is free room acoustics analysis software for measuring and analysing room and loudspeaker responses.
oratory1990 is headphone specific equalization.
AutoEq uses EQ profiles to be used with EQ software.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ runs under wine.
Shairport Sync uses DSP to allow the user to manually input the REW PEQ settings and save for later.
HQPlayer PEQ, a convolver with impulse response files, cross-feed and multi-channel support/mixing/routing.
Pulseaudio Parametric Equalizer is a python GUI to insert a 3 band PEQ w/ high/low shelves into the pulseaudio audio server.
Pipewire do post-processing of the sound generated by a application, a possible drop-in replacement for both Jack and Pulseaudio.
Calf plugin suite.
LSP (Linux Studio Plugins) is a collection of open-source plugins.
DeaDBeeF is a modular audio player with a 18-band graphical equalizer and other DSP plugins.

Plus there's a whole host of LADSPA plugins you can use via JACK, alsaequal, or with a fixed configuration in the alsa config file. A good example is the PE32LR parametric equalizer from the Linux Studio Plugins Project which provides the parametric equalizer for PulseEffects.

macOS: (System wide parametric EQ solutions on OSX typically rely on separate plugin hosting software and the actual plugin which does the actual equalization.)

Audio plugin hosts include:
Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.
MenuBus has a free version but is no longer actively developed.
Neutron Music Player audiophile-grade platform-independent 32/64-bit audio engine, parametric EQ.
eqMac parametric EQ and mixer.****
SoundSource w/ EQ profiles for headphones from Oratory, Reference Audio Analyzer, Crinacle, Inner Fidelity & headphone.com & 20 minute trial period.****
HiFiScan helps equalize an audio system to get the best possible audio quality from it. It can be automatic or manual.
Hosting AU with BlackHole (BlackHole: Virtual Audio Driver. Setting up the EQ details for macOS are here.) or Soundflower can be used as a system wide AU plugin host.
JRiver comprehensive and seamless software available for managing and playing your media.

EQ plugins include:
MFreeformEqualizer draw the equalization that you want and the plugin will make it happen.
Waves Q10 plugin as a PEQ solution.
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a parametric EQ plugin but is not free.
Fabfilter Pro Q3 is another parametric EQ plugin, regarding setting the Q values please refer to comment #305 and #308
LAConvolver plugin is a free convolver EQ which works with impulse response WAV files.
EQE is a system wide parametric equalizer on iOS but requires jailbreaking.

Element is a VST/AU host and comes with quite a few built in effects as well.
SplitEQ parametric EQ with 8-bands and proprietary effects.
MathAudio add-ons Room EQ VST, VST3, AU and Foobar2000 component.
Rogue Amoeba SoundSource headphone profiles from headphones.com and Crinacle + others.
QRange 12 band EQ, each band can be used as peak, shelf and cut filter.
REW is free room acoustics analysis software for measuring and analysing room and loudspeaker responses.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ.
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player w/10 band EQ.
CamillaDSP supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows.
Universal Audio Equalizer for Mac OS X
Boom 3D Desktop 31-band equalizer, 3D surround.
eqMac 10 band EQ.
Sonarworks Reference 4 calibrates your studio monitors and headphones.
Audirvana can do bit-perfect and exclusive access but can't do system level hosting.
Audio Hijack can host system level DSP, including those EQs.
ToneBoosters Equalizer 4 all-purpose dyamic equalizer with AI assist functionality.
Toneboosters TB Equalizer v3
Toneboosters Morphit hundreds of headphone profiles.
FabFilter Pro Q 3 up to 24 EQ bands.
oratory1990 is headphone specific equalization.
CanOpener Studio EQ with Crossfeed plugin.
AU Lab the download link is at the bottom of the page.
Boom3D and Boom2 10-band & 31-Band Advanced Equalizers.
HQPlayer PEQ, a convolver with impulse response files, cross-feed and multi-channel support/mixing/routing.
Soundsource Per-App Audio Effects with the built-in 10-band equalizer.
MEqualizer is an extremely easy-to-use and powerful 6-band equalizer.

Which of Mac or Linux EQ apps could import
oratory1990’s list of EQ Presets - for headphones

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9o2f5n/psa_oratory1990s_list_of_eq_presets

 

[Berwhale]

Which of Mac or Linux EQ apps could import
oratory1990’s list of EQ Presets - for headphones

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9o2f5n/psa_oratory1990s_list_of_eq_presets

Oratory1990's list contains links to PDF files showing his measured and corrected response with the filters listed in a table at the bottom. The idea is that you enter these filters manually into your PEQ and tweak as suggested by Oratory1990. I don't know if you can download his suggested filters (in their default form) from anywhere in a format that is directly importable into an app on Linux or Mac.

You can download automatically generated filters, based on Oratory1990's measurements, for a selection of PEQ apps from https://www.autoeq.app/

e.g.

Select the headphone with the Oratory1990 measurement...

Select the PEQ software...

Click on the download icon...

 

[KosherButcher]

Which of Mac or Linux EQ apps could import
oratory1990’s list of EQ Presets - for headphones

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9o2f5n/psa_oratory1990s_list_of_eq_presets

Soundsource can directly load profiles downloaded from AutoEQ.

 

[Berwhale]

Soundsource can directly load profiles downloaded from AutoEQ.

Yes, but it is important to note that filters downloaded from AutoEQ have been generated by AutoEQ based on Oratory1990's measurements. They are not Oratory1990's filters, he creates these filters himself. In Oratory1990's own words... https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory199...is_list_different_to_the_github_.2F_autoeq.3F

 

[audiofromaustria]

Oratory1990's list contains links to PDF files showing his measured and corrected response with the filters listed in a table at the bottom. The idea is that you enter these filters manually into your PEQ and tweak as suggested by Oratory1990. I don't know if you can download his suggested filters (in their default form) from anywhere in a format that is directly importable into an app on Linux or Mac.

You can download automatically generated filters, based on Oratory1990's measurements, for a selection of PEQ apps from https://www.autoeq.app/

....

I know about all - the PDF Files, filters in text format for AutoEQ, RME, .... I only want to import this text files of settings in a EQ App.
Apple offers filters - Apple Audio Unit Adapter (AUN) - self, but save the settings in an own format.
JRiver Media Center offers many options, but cannot import these filter text formats.
Audirvana Studio now offers a 10-band EQ, but cannot import these files either, but can also handle Apple's Audio Units.
foobar2000 for Mac also offers access to Apple Audio Unit Adapter (AUN)
DeadBeeF does not provide access to Apple Audio Unit Adapter (AUN)
Decibel (feisty-dog) is a case unto itself... Beta phase without end?
Sonarworks SoundID Reference it's a own world, I don't found an import for filter sets in text format.

What I want is a smooth import of filter settings in text format; I don't want to have to laboriously set them up every time. Above all, it should be accessible to all players.
SoundID would be that, but it only offers its own filter settings, which are probably an average of all headphones sent to Sonarworks for measurement. Also, not all headphones are listed there. The open source world is more comprehensive in this respect.

I haven't tried this yet:
A tool to convert REW eq to an aupreset for AUNBandEQ
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ert-rew-eq-to-a-aupreset-for-aunbandeq.43963/
https://eqconverter.spinorama.org/ Firefox displays a warning: Possible security risk detected

pierreaubert / AUpresetConverter

GitHub - pierreaubert/AUpresetConverter: EQ transformation tool, support AUpreset, REW, RME ...

EQ transformation tool, support AUpreset, REW, RME ... - pierreaubert/AUpresetConverter

github.com

....

Am I misunderstanding https://www.autoeq.app/? It offers filter settings, but I'm looking for ready-made files that can be imported directly into the respective players.

Unfortunately, there is no app that can edit the filter settings of the Apple Audio Unit Adapter (AUN) independently of the player or offer import/export in text format. Does anyone know of such an app? I haven't been able to find one yet.
....

index/list_of_presets - oratory1990

r/oratory1990: Mostly covering topics like headphones, in-ear headphones, acoustics, electroacoustics, acoustic tuning, headphone design …

www.reddit.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/oratory1990/wiki/index/list_of_presets_rme_adi-2/
https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/oratory1990

Apple Audio Unit Adapter (AUN)

 

[Berwhale]

Am I misunderstanding https://www.autoeq.app/? It offers filter settings, but I'm looking for ready-made files that can be imported directly into the respective players.

Yes, AutoEQ allows you to download filters as a text file for direct input into a PEQ application. However, I posted a picture to the upload button, rather than the download button (I have edited my post above to correct the error).

For example, downloading AutoEQ's generated filters for 'Austrian Audio The Composer (standard setting)', based on Oratory1990 measurements, and formatted for EqualizerAPO yields a file with this text...

Preamp: -5.10 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105.0 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 209.9 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 0.69
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 938.3 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 1.16
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1275.1 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 1.98
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2021.8 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 3.26
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 2916.4 Hz Gain -3.9 dB Q 3.51
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4284.0 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 3.71
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5537.3 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 5.24
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8593.0 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 1.99
Filter 10: ON HSC Fc 10000.0 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 0.70

This format seems to be quite common, for example I could import the above into Topping.Tune and apply or upload the resulting filters to my Topping DX5 II DAC/amp. The text above results in these filters in Topping.Tune...