Head-Fi.

org

Search...
Forums
Search Forums
Recent Posts
ArticlesHead GearGallerySponsors Log in or Sign up
Sign up now!

Home
Forums
>
Equipment Forums
>
Computer Audio
>
Parametric Equalizer for Mac. Good options?
Discussion in 'Computer Audio' started by madelvice, Jun 10, 2009.

Search this thread...

Search
Page 1 of 2
2
Next

Last
Jun 10, 2009 at 4:04 PM THREAD STARTER Post #1 of 17
madelvice
madelvice
Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 2, 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
After reading the article about custom equalizer settings to suit individual
headphones I set out to try to find a parametric equalizer to work with. After
searching head-fi, KVR, and google I have yet to find something suitable.

I'm running OS 10.5.7 on an iMac (Intel). I'm flexible as far as what arrangement I
use. Standalone or plug-in, I'm not too picky about what player I use (so long as
it offers bit-perfect playback and supports ALAC files- though if I had to I could
convert the files.)

I've found a couple plug-in equalizers (both support VST and one supports AU)
KVR: Darrell Tam DtBlkFx - Virtual Effect
KVR: slim slow slider Linear Phase Graphic EQ - Virtual Effect

I know that using Audio Hijack is an option, I was hoping that there was a
simpler/cheaper (read: free) option.

I looked into Cog and Songbird, but from what I can tell neither supports plug-ins,
am I wrong about that?
So in short,
-is there a media player for MacOS that supports VST or AU plug-ins?
-is there a parametric equalizer for iTunes that I just missed?
-is there a stand-alone parametric equalizer?

I'd prefer free, but if necessary would be willing to spend a little money.
Jul 18, 2009 at 5:03 AM Post #2 of 17
nopomo
nopomo
New Head-Fier
Joined: Jul 18, 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
What I use on my MacBook Pro is iTunes with Audio Hijack Pro

Edit: Didn't see that you'd said that you didn't want to use AHPro. It works well
though, give it a try.

First post! Woo!

Jul 19, 2009 at 7:16 AM Post #3 of 17
madelvice
madelvice
Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 2, 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
Since this post I've discovered that Play can support AU plug-ins and using Jack
Audio you can route the output of iTunes through Play (and thus a parametric
equalizer) and thus have your cake and eat it to (fo' free!). Once I figure out
which EQ to use I'll make a post about it/how-to
Jul 26, 2009 at 2:46 AM Post #4 of 17
gilency
Contributor
gilency
Headphoneus Supremus
Joined: Mar 30, 2007
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 63
Quote:

Originally Posted by madelvice /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Since this post I've discovered that Play can support AU plug-ins and using Jack
Audio you can route the output of iTunes through Play (and thus a parametric
equalizer) and thus have your cake and eat it to (fo' free!). Once I figure out
which EQ to use I'll make a post about it/how-to

Could you please explain this? Play?

Stax and Bach New Feedback
Old Feedback
Jul 26, 2009 at 4:38 AM Post #5 of 17
madelvice
madelvice
Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 2, 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
Quote:

Originally Posted by gilency /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Could you please explain this? Play?
Play is an audio file manager/player (like iTunes, WinAmp etc) that can be
downloaded here:Play from sbooth.org

It supports AU (Audio Unit) plug-ins. AU plug-ins are designed for use with Core
Audio applications (in laymen's terms, Core Audio is the system that Macs use to
play/manipulate audio)

These plug-ins are added to audio software (anything from playback software such as
Play or foobar to recording/editing such as Reason, or Cubase etc.) to manipulate
audio. There are all sorts of plug-ins that range from equalization, to delay, to
distortion, to compression.

At any rate, iTunes does not support plug-ins (a fact that I found most annoying
seeing as it is lovely in terms of organization.)

This whole thing started because I wanted a parametric equalizer so that I could
fine tune my EQ settings. There are a few parametric EQ's available as plug-ins. So
now I needed software that would support these plug-ins.

Now, I could have just used play as my primary software, had my plug-in and been
done with it. However, I have all sorts of settings, playlists and the like set up
in iTunes and I didn't feel like migrating.

What I've done is used JACK Audio to connect the output of iTunes into Play and
then Play to my headphone out.

so what used to be: 'music file' ->iTunes ->headphone out

is now: 'music file' ->iTunes-> Play (with the EQplugin) -> headphone out.

Like I said, I'll be sure to post instructions (with pictures and diagrams and
sorts of goodies) once I get some time. Probably in a week or two after my class is
done. Hope that helped.
Jul 26, 2009 at 6:01 AM Post #6 of 17
gilency
Contributor
gilency
Headphoneus Supremus
Joined: Mar 30, 2007
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 63
this is very helpful. Thanks. Subscribed.
Stax and Bach New Feedback
Old Feedback
Jul 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM Post #7 of 17
Aiml3ss
Aiml3ss
100+ Head-Fier
Joined: Jun 1, 2009
Posts: 436
Likes: 10
Quote:

Originally Posted by gilency /img/forum/go_quote.gif

this is very helpful. Thanks. Subscribed.

Me to! [IMG]
Speakers: Currently researching Headphones: HE-400 DAC: Schiit Modi, Audio-GD DAC-
19MKIII Amp: Schiit Magni
Mar 31, 2010 at 1:22 AM Post #8 of 17
sevenatenine
sevenatenine
New Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 25, 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Quote:

Originally Posted by madelvice /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Play is an audio file manager/player (like iTunes, WinAmp etc) that can be
downloaded here:Play from sbooth.org

It supports AU (Audio Unit) plug-ins. AU plug-ins are designed for use with Core
Audio applications (in laymen's terms, Core Audio is the system that Macs use to
play/manipulate audio)

These plug-ins are added to audio software (anything from playback software such as
Play or foobar to recording/editing such as Reason, or Cubase etc.) to manipulate
audio. There are all sorts of plug-ins that range from equalization, to delay, to
distortion, to compression.

At any rate, iTunes does not support plug-ins (a fact that I found most annoying
seeing as it is lovely in terms of organization.)

This whole thing started because I wanted a parametric equalizer so that I could
fine tune my EQ settings. There are a few parametric EQ's available as plug-ins. So
now I needed software that would support these plug-ins.

Now, I could have just used play as my primary software, had my plug-in and been
done with it. However, I have all sorts of settings, playlists and the like set up
in iTunes and I didn't feel like migrating.

What I've done is used JACK Audio to connect the output of iTunes into Play and
then Play to my headphone out.

so what used to be: 'music file' ->iTunes ->headphone out

is now: 'music file' ->iTunes-> Play (with the EQplugin) -> headphone out.

Like I said, I'll be sure to post instructions (with pictures and diagrams and
sorts of goodies) once I get some time. Probably in a week or two after my class is
done. Hope that helped.

which equalizer did you end up using with this setup?

Mar 31, 2010 at 2:36 AM Post #9 of 17
gbacic
gbacic
500+ Head-Fier
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
If you use Play (Play from sbooth.org) you can just use the Apple audio plugins
which are really good.
You get: band pass, dynamics processor, delay, distortion, filter, graphic EQ (10
bands, or 31 bands), hi pass, high shelf filter, peak limiter, low pass, low shelf
filter, multiband compressor, matrix reverb, net send, parametric EQ, roger beep,
sample delay, pitch.

and you can use other DSPs with it.

Mac Pro ➡Toslink➡ Compass ➡Darkvoice 332➡ HD 650
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀➥Luxman LV 105 ➡ Paradigm 11SE
iPhone 4 32GB ➡Grado SR60i
Feedback
Mar 31, 2010 at 6:37 PM Post #10 of 17
sevenatenine
sevenatenine
New Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 25, 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Quote:

Originally Posted by gbacic /img/forum/go_quote.gif

If you use Play (Play from sbooth.org) you can just use the Apple audio plugins
which are really good.
You get: band pass, dynamics processor, delay, distortion, filter, graphic EQ (10
bands, or 31 bands), hi pass, high shelf filter, peak limiter, low pass, low shelf
filter, multiband compressor, matrix reverb, net send, parametric EQ, roger beep,
sample delay, pitch.

and you can use other DSPs with it.

played around with the apple plugins and they will suffice, the troublesome thing
for me now is after reading this thread i want to use that jack audio program to
connect itunes to play however i cannot get jack audio to allow me to set play as
the output so either i am flunking at understanding just what i am supposed to do
or the correct option isn't showing up. I can see both itunes and play as input
sources. Maybe i should just cut my losses and port over to play, or find a
different software that jack can link to which allows me to use equalizer plugins.
since google searches and reading the jack audio documentation has left me in a
daze.
Mar 31, 2010 at 8:24 PM Post #11 of 17
gbacic
gbacic
500+ Head-Fier
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
Yeah I also don't know how to get Jack to work properly, so I gave up.
Mac Pro ➡Toslink➡ Compass ➡Darkvoice 332➡ HD 650
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀➥Luxman LV 105 ➡ Paradigm 11SE
iPhone 4 32GB ➡Grado SR60i
Feedback
Apr 1, 2010 at 4:22 AM Post #12 of 17
madelvice
madelvice
Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 2, 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
Sorry I can't give more detailed help:

poke around on the internet for a JACK guide. It should be pretty easy to find...
I've gotten iTunes to output through JACK so it's certainly possible. JACK isn't
amazingly hard but it's not so blatantly obvious that you could necessarily figure
it out without a little help. Once you find the guide you'll hopefully be able to
get it to work in no more than 10 minutes or so.
Apr 1, 2010 at 6:27 PM Post #13 of 17
sevenatenine
sevenatenine
New Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 25, 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Quote:

Originally Posted by madelvice /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Sorry I can't give more detailed help:

poke around on the internet for a JACK guide. It should be pretty easy to find...
I've gotten iTunes to output through JACK so it's certainly possible. JACK isn't
amazingly hard but it's not so blatantly obvious that you could necessarily figure
it out without a little help. Once you find the guide you'll hopefully be able to
get it to work in no more than 10 minutes or so.

i have no trouble finding the instructions/guide, and setting up the itunes side of
it is no trouble it's setting it up to connect to play that is proving to be the
problem. maybe i need an older version of play or something, i have enabled the
jack-insert DSP but it doesn't seem to offer me any change in play's options or in
jack's settings/connections for that matter. if i change plays output source to
jack i can set play up as an output source but finding a way to set play as an
input receiver is a no go.
Apr 2, 2010 at 4:26 AM Post #14 of 17
madelvice
madelvice
Head-Fier
Joined: Feb 2, 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
Try starting the JACK server with Play closed and then open Play.
Jan 31, 2012 at 4:44 PM Post #15 of 17
johnjen
johnjen
Headphoneus Supremus
Joined: Apr 13, 2010
Location: Well Grounded
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 700
Ok so here is another 'old' thread…

I tried the jack/play combo and all it did was crash my Mac.

So I deleted all of it and went in search of, and found (ta da!)

Audio Hijack Pro

It is WAY kewl, only costs $32, has an archive of older versions (for G5 cpu's),
comes with parametric EQ modules and, and, on and on… Oh and you can try it for
free (for 10 minutes at a time)
I've got it configured with 5 parametric EQ modules so far but I'm still fussing.
Here is an article that describes what it is and does
http://tidbits.com/article/7961

Here is the web site

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro/

Oh yeah I'm already using their LineIn S/W which has a minor bug but works as
advertised.

Yeah you have to figure out how to calculate the Q and there isn't anyway to see
what the results of all this fussing is. BUT it's a start and it's ALL in the
digital domain.

JJ
Schiit Yggdrasil/Jggy (lightly modded) & Ragnarok/The Rok (lightly modded) - HD-800
hardwired & major tweaks -
Shunyata Python & α-Digital & Anaconda XLR (modded) - RedNet3 AOIP (modded)- Mutec
3+ & 3+usb (modded) -
WAQy chips - Akiko canisters - 'Other' Tweaks aplenty - PWD Mk1-2 and 2-Wyrd(s)
(retired)
(You must log in or sign up to reply here.)
Page 1 of 2
2
Next

Last
Share This Page

Home
Forums
>
Equipment Forums
>
Computer Audio
>
Rules and Terms of Use
Contact Us
Help
Home
Top
RSS
© 2001-2018 Head-Fi.org. All rights reserved.