Systemwide EQ on Mac

Here is how you could get free systemwide EQ on your Mac. You need to be running Mavericks or a newer OS.

1. Download AU Labs from this link: https://www.apple.com/in/itunes/mastered-for-itunes/

2. AU Labs downloads an application itself. So you don't have to install it. You could simply move it to the 'Applications' folder

3. Download Soundflower from this link: https://github.com/mattingalls/Soundflower/releases

Please Note: If you are running Mavericks or Yosemite, scroll down on the page to find the Soundflower version for those 2 versions of Mac OS. For the newer versions of the Mac OS, you could use the most recent Soundflower version.

4. Install Soundflower on your Mac. If you have set the system to allow installation of apps only from trusted developers, your installation will stop. In such an event, launch 'System Preferences' and go to 'Security and Privacy' and enable the system to allow installation of Soundflower

5. Restart your Mac

6. If you plan on using with a DAC, connect the DAC to the system now

7. Launch 'System Preferences' and go to 'Sound'. Under the 'Output' tab, choose 'Soundflower (2ch)'



8. Open 'AU Labs' application and make sure 'Stereo In/Stereo Out' is selected on the left pane of the window

9. Choose 'Soundflower (2ch)' as the Audio Input Device. Choose the connected DAC or the Built-in Output as the Audio Output Device



10. After you have finished choosing the devices, click the 'Create Document' button on the bottom of the window

11. This would open a window as shown below. In the 'Audio 1' column, open the dropdown under 'Effects' and select 'Apple'. You have many EQ options to choose from, but the easiest would be AUGraphicEQ. Or if you are a parametricEQ user, you will like the AUNBandEQ



12. After you have set your EQ, click on 'File' > 'Save As' to save the setting

13. Play a youtube video on your browser to test if its working.

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P.S: Also, credits to @ufospls2 and @Cspirou

 

Cheers! I guess this is basically how Sonarworks' True-Fi works.

This in iOS - that would be something awesome.

 

AU lab also works with the Audeze EQ profiles.

 

It's sad to see people use DSP.

 

We try to fix our sad little lives with DSP.

 

The truth is that if you're using any form digital in your audio chain then you are using DSP*

DSP isn't inherently evil. As an example a DSP EQ is incredibly useful for room correction for those where physical acoustic treatment is out of the question for various reasons, not least being under strict WAF guidelines.

I think the best way to look at DSP EQ is that it's a tool, and, as with any tool, when used correctly and with good judgement you can reap immense benefits from it. On the other hand when used in a ham fisted manner with poor judgement then you'll just make a mess.

*An R2R NOS DAC might just squeak outside of the technical definition of a DSP, but all DS DACs are DSPs by their very nature.

I don't want to scare anybody but I've twice completely screwed CoreAudio using this tool, and by that I mean put it into a state where by I was not able to revert back to normal.

The first time I was able to resolve it by hunting down every single preference related to audio and deleting them, but the second time required a complete wipe and reinstall, and then the restore of just the data. If I did a complete restore the problem came back.

I'm not saying it will do that on your Macs, but having been bitten twice by it, I'm loathe to try it again.

 

I see. If there is such a risk involved using this tool, then this tool should be not be recommended here. I'll ask the mods if this thread can be deleted. Btw, was it the Soundflower or the AU Labs that screwed up the core sound?

 

OK, I’ll qualify what I’ve said by explaining that I already have a very complicated audio/midi configuration with a number of grouped devices, plus whatever routing I’m using in Logic. Now it maybe that that complicated setup may have already had issues and the introduction of AU labs tipped it over the edge. Also this was a couple of “systems” ago so the issues I had may not be a thing today.

I highly doubt that Apple would release a tool with known issues, so I’m guessing that the majority of people will be able to use this without a hitch. So all I’m saying is exercise a bit of caution, and make sure you have an up to date backup prior to the installation of AU labs so you can roll back should issues occur.

 

I put this page together over a few years. It might be helpful to some

https://sites.google.com/marcusfamily.info/diynotes/tips/mac-eq-plugins

 

Great resource. I can second the recommendation for SoundSource. It is very good software from a longtime Mac developer. The most recent updates also added a searchable database of headphone EQs you can apply instantly.

 

Thanks for sharing the doc @AllanMarcus . Since updating to Mojave the AU+SoundFlower method in my original post has stopped working. Since then I have been using SoundSource and it has been great.