Does anyone here use PC Equalizer?

[OldJBL]

I recently started using PC Equalizer for my 2.0 system that uses a Windows PC as the main component for sending sound to a DAC via a USB connection. I also have a Denon DVD 2910 connected via coax and a 4k TV's optical output connected to the DAC. The PC is what I use the most for watching everything from video to music files via a shared library of content and general web surfing. I came across this program a few weeks ago and installed it. So far I am very impressed with it. I have made custom EQ files for all four sets of speakers connected to this system and the improvement in sound output has been substantial. I have also done customized EQ files for playing movies and different genres of music. It has a choice of 10 or 20 band equalizer settings and many other ways to manipulate sound that I don't fully understand yet. I am kind of blown away with this program and how it can manipulate sound output in a very detailed way. Has anyone else used, or currently use, this program? A search here had just one mention of it in one post of one thread.

 

[orsen]

i havnt tried it, i use the eq built into my yamaha avr.
it looks like i could be lot fun in surround sound tho.

.

 

[OldJBL]

i havnt tried it, i use the eq built into my yamaha avr.
it looks like i could be lot fun in surround sound tho.

I don't think it would be useful for a home theater setup where multi channel codecs are used. These codecs go directly from the video files to the AVR for decoding and the computer isn't involved in this process. Outside of this type of use case, PC Equalizer works wonders for a 2.0 system or maybe a 2.1 system too. Using the 20 band mode for the equalizer allows an incredible amount of nuance one can put into the sound output. Then there are a lot of other settings that can be used that I haven't even touched yet.

 

[twiiii]

I always use the EQ for my Apple iTunes I down load. I wish they would let me pick a particular setting for each album that remained with the album every time I pull it up to listen.. It would Make life a whole lot easier. I am not saying its Apple fault I have to do it. But some times maybe most times it is. Particulrly if I have heard the Lp of the original sound tracks. Some times these modern mastering engineers want to give each old reissue todays sounds. Thats not what its about. It about remaining true to the original sound of the album, whether outstanding or a bit less than desireable.

 

[JoeESP9]

I have and use a 12BPC DSP. It's adjusted and set using measurements. Once set the only time it's changed is for new/different gear or a change of furniture.

I stream from locally stored FLAC's from my CD collection using Music Bee, a laptop and a USB DAC. Other streaming sites such as Radio Garden (stations from all over the world), Tune In, Radio Paradise and the ubiquitous Amazon all get their turn. Perhaps, because of my musical tastes, primarily jazz and classical, which are generally well recorded I rarely feel the need to alter the sound of anything I'm listening to.

If the OP is using Windows Media Player, you can expect an audible improvement if you try one of the third-party player applications because they all offer a choice of ASIO or WASAPI. The two add-ons bypass the Windows mixer which is known to have a negative effect on the sound. There is a built-in equalizer in Music Bee and all the other music player applications I've tried. Using one has never crossed my mind.

Music Bee
Media Monkey
JRiver
Foobar
DB Power Amp

All are free downloads (J River is free to try). I use Music Bee for playing jazz/pop/ rock/blues and Media Monkey for classical and Opera. My doing so is based on the differences in the way the metadata is displayed. For classical/Opera I tend to play the entire recording. For jazz/pop/frock I generally cherry pick selections.

 

[DeadTrader]

I have a real need for EQ I have a very large collection of live recordings and a little adjustment does them good. I've played with a digital EQ on my computer it seems to be too much work for me I get good results from the basic treble and base on the Yamaha amp in the office. If it makes your music sound better that's all that really matters. For my main system I adjust EQ in analog.

 

[JoeESP9]

The equalizers in the music player programs I mentioned are basic linear equalizers. They work exactly like the 10, 12, 31 band linear equalizers everyone is familiar with. Any of the players are superior to WMP. There are also other sound modifying add-ons for many players.

 

[cronie]

I went to see Dweezil Zappa play 4 times at the Turning stone casino here in upstate NY. They were always on the cutting edge of sound and equipment technology. My friend and I were in awe watching the soundman using the huge 24 track analog mixing soundboard at one of the concerts. The next time we saw Dweezil there the huge analog mixer was gone and was replaced by two computer screens. I said to the sound guy,I bet you dont get as good a sound or as much flexibility from your new setup. He immediately told me he had more flexibility and better sound from his new computer program. Im sure sure that setup cost $$$$. fwiw

 

[Gigantic]

I use a DSP parametric eq to tune the response of my drivers, with shelf eq filters acting as a quasi linear phase low pass and high pass and ordinary PEQ filters flattening spikes and posting nulls in the horn response. beyond that, I don't use any additional EQ, my preamp and amps have sufficient synergy that it's not needed.